Everyone loves a day of pampering, and dogs are no exception. Dog lovers love to pamper their pooches, by spending time with them, taking them out to try new trails, and, of course, having a good snuggle.
Most of us will take our four-legged friends for frequent walks, the occasional bath, an annual vet checkup, and spend some quality time with them at home. But maybe you feel that is not enough and you want to pamper your pet and show them how much you love them.
We have gathered five ideas to help you show your dogs that you love them and to make their day.
1) Go for a walk or hike
If you are fortunate enough to live near your local dog park, then it is a no-brainer to take your dog there for a romp around the park and to socialize with other furry friends. If a dog park is not within reach, you may have to put in some extra effort when it comes to dog walking.
Dogs love exploring, and taking your dog out of the house or yard is already an exciting experience. But why not elevate the walk on weekends, by taking your dog to a pet-friendly hiking trail where he can run around and smell new things.
Engaging with new smells and sights is stimulating for your dog, and he might even make some new friends on the hike. It is also a great way to exercise yourself and your pup.
If you have old dogs, a hike may be too strenuous, but you can still spend time in the fresh air and walk around a local park or go visit a nearby waterbody for some relaxed strolls in nature.
There are plenty of small parks and grassy enclaves dotted around most cities that are ideal for this sort of thing. Go exploring!
2) Go on a Holiday Adventure
People say change is as good as a holiday – and even a short change of scenery can do wonders, for you and your dog. You don’t have to travel across the world to enjoy a holiday.
If you want to pamper your pet, why not look for local pet-friendly accommodation for the holidays, so that your best friend can accompany you and not be stuck in boarding kennels or with friends.
Hosteling is a great way to accommodate your pet as certain hostels welcome pets, rather than the usual anti-pet stance of most hotels and B&Bs. Not only that but most hostels are located in spectacular locations with a wealth of local trails to go on.
If you are not able to splurge on a long trip, then take your dog along for an overnight adventure. Many campsites allow dogs and being out in nature or a new setting will be very exciting for your pet.
3) Meet up with fellow Pet Parents for a “Pet Day Out”
If you have friends with dogs (or cats!), organize a fun day out for your pets. Only do this if your dog is well socialized. Your “Pet Day Out” can include a spa day at the local groomers, visiting pet-friendly restaurants, having a picnic near the ocean or river, or practicing some dog training activities together.
Try teaching the animals new tricks, or use their favorite toys and come up with a fun game.
A break in routine will be so much fun for you and your pup, and they will be able to engage with other animals and people.
4) Treat Your Furry Friend to Good Food
Most pet owners try to feed the best food they can, but not everyone can cook chicken and rice for their dog’s dinner every night.
You can treat your dog to the occasional raw meal, or try your hand at homemade treats.
Raw food is also great for your dog’s health as it replicates what their diet would be in the wild. There’s nothing wrong with processed foods but these can be unhealthy for your dog if they are fed this type of food too often. And raw food will also provide your dog with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals naturally, rather than these being added after the fact to processed foods like kibble.
There are many online resources that will help you create your own yummy treats for your dog (or cat), and it is more affordable and healthier than some store-bought biscuits.
You can even just mix up mealtime by adding some coconut oil to the kibble, or some dog gravy.
5) Gift Your Dog a New Toy
Most younger pets love playing with toys, so why not consider wrapping up a new plaything and presenting it as a gift (just make sure they don’t swallow any wrapping paper!).
There are so many different toys for pups – balls, soft toys, ropes, and toys that dispense treats – you are sure to find something that your pup will love.
Most dogs enjoy something to chase and catch, but they also enjoy tug-of-war, so a rope toy with a ball attached is the perfect gift.
And you don’t have to spend all your money on gifts. A good stick, a sock filled with other socks, or a rope made out of cut-up T-shirts – these are all toys that you can gift to your furry friend. These are also great ways to re-use old clothing items you were thinking of throwing away. A win-win!
Conclusion
There are so many ways to pamper your pets, and these five tips above are just a start. It all comes down to creativity and knowing what your dog likes.
As some last parting advice, you can buy your dog a new bed (or re-stuff the old bed), set time aside to play with your pooch after work each week, or simply spend quality time together and cuddle on the couch.
Show them how much you love them!
