6 Ways To Give Your Dog Love On National Pet Day
April 11 is National Pet Day and although your dog doesn’t know it yet, it’s about to get the pampering of its life! National Pet Day is all about showing even more love and appreciation for our furry pals. It’s a great time to look back at how much they’ve grown and how much they’ve helped us as companions.
There are plenty of ways to give your dog love on that special day. We’re going to have a look at some of them! By the end, you’ll have a good idea of how to spend the day with your dog and you’ll be able to plan out activities so your buddy can enjoy it with you.
But before we get into all of that, let’s look at the history of National Pet Day and what it signifies. Here, we will learn about what we’re celebrating and why we’re celebrating it as well.
History of National Pet Day
In 2006, Colleen Paige, an animal welfare advocate, and a pet lifestyle expert wanted to honor and celebrate the joy and love that pets bring into their human companions’ lives. This turned into National Pet Day which is celebrated every 11th of April and has been going on for over a decade and a half now.
The holiday was also intended to bring awareness to practices that promote the wellbeing of animals, as well as to encourage people who have a pet in their lives to show them love and appreciation.
The U.S. was the first to celebrate National Pet Day during its inaugural year in 2006, but in the several years that followed, plenty of other countries all over the world joined them in celebrating their pets every 11th of April. The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, and even more countries from all over the world now recognize National Pet Day and it can be said that this has helped dramatically increase awareness for animal care, and overall love for pets all over the world.
How Do People Celebrate National Pet Day?
Celebrations differ from person to person. One of the most common forms of spreading awareness while celebrating at the same time is by posting on social media. Fur parents love to post pictures of their pups not just to show how cute they are, but to share stories with people about their bond and their relationship.
People also like to pamper their pets by giving them special treatment for the day. While of course, they give them plenty of love every day regardless, it’s always nice to treat National Pet Day as a cause for celebration the same way we do for our pets’ birthdays.
Here are some activities that your dog will definitely enjoy during the holiday!
Give Them The Finer Dining Experience
Whether you’re buying an extra juicy steak or treating them to a pet-friendly fancy restaurant, your dog is going to enjoy having a very special meal for the day. You can also treat them to some high-quality dog food to go with their breakfast or lunch. Don’t forget to treat yourself too so you can both enjoy mealtime!
Treat Them To An Extra Treat
Playtime and training sessions with your dog will be more fun if you give them an extra treat for being a good boy/girl. Perhaps you could go the extra mile and make some homemade dog treats for the occasion. Don’t overdo it though, or they might expect the extra treat every time! And make sure to only give them something extra if they’re actually playing nice and following your instructions! You may also want to consider giving them a lovely new bed or special toy.
Pamper Them With Special Grooming
If your dog is already comfortable with the regular grooming that you’re doing for them, then they’ll love having a day out with a professional groomer. They’ll take care of your dog’s every need. Your dog is going to have well-trimmed claws so they feel very comfortable. You can even have them get a haircut before you have their fur groomed. Your dog is going to end up looking and smelling great for this special day.
Take Them Out To A Big Park
Dogs love open spaces and giving them a big place to run around play with you is going to make their day. Whether you take them to their favorite spot or just want to try out something new, as long as they get to spread their paws and play some fetch, they’ll be sure to have a good time.
Give Them A New Playmate!
What better way to celebrate National Pet Day than by giving your dog a new friend to play with? Remember, it’s always important to get your dog from a reputable and responsible breeder. Also, be sure to find a dog that’s very friendly and easy to get along with so they can both hit it off right away. If your dog is also very energetic, you’ll want one that can match its energy level. Might we suggest the jovial and companionable Blue Staffy?
Get A Unique Pet Portrait Made
Personalized pet portraits are an excellent way to capture your pet’s best qualities and preserve the moment for you to look back on. Whether you want a life-like portrait or something more cartoony, such as dressing them up in cute costumes, a pet portrait will immortalize a happy memory of you and your pet.
You can print your pet portrait on several different materials like a shirt, a photograph, or even a canvas! Making it a National Pet Day tradition for you and your pet can also be a great way to save the memories of the holiday throughout the years.
Summary:
National Pet Day is a great day to pamper and spoil your pet. But we’re sure that you’re going to enjoy it as much as your pet will! These activities are not far off from the ways you can care for your dog during normal days. They’re just made a little bit more special!
Whatever you decide to do with your dog, be sure to do it with love. And make sure to keep showing that love even after the holiday, every day!