Pamper Your Pet on Love Your Pet Day

Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean the loving gestures have to stop. I hope you saved some love for that other special someone in your life, your pet. February 20, is National Love Your Pet Day! Our pets do so much for us from offering companionship to protecting us. It’s time to show your appreciation for your furry friend. Here are some quick and easy ways to pamper your pet today.

Homemade Treats – Sure you could run down to your nearest Three Dog Bakery or similar pet store, but why not offer your pet a treat baked with love from you. There are tons of recipes for pets you can make at home on your own using your pet’s favorite foods. My favorite site is dogtreatkitchen.com  because it also provides recipes for pets on special diets. Try this recipe from Dog Treat Kitchen:

Peanut Buttery Woof Woofs
3-4 cups whole wheat flour
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoon garlic
ground flax

1. Mix flour, egg, peanut butter, garlic, and flax together. Set aside.
2. Boil 2 cups water with your choice of meat.
3. Remove meat from water mixture, leaving whatever little bits are in water from meat, and mix with peanut butter mixture.
4. Cut or shred meat.
5. Mix all together.
6. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and spoon to the size of your dog, (small, medium, large) onto the sheet.
7. Bake on 400 for about 30-35 mins.

 

Pet Massage – Yes, pet’s can get professional massages too. Just like us they have stress and sore muscles as well, so help ease the pain of your pets daily activities by taking them to a pet spa for their very own personal massage. Check the yellowpages or search online for a pet masseuse near you. Don’t worry if your community doesn’t offer these services, you can do it on your own (link to youtube video).

Quality Time – The best thing you can do for your pet is just spend time with them. Often as college students we lead such busy lives that our pets often get ignored. Commit a day to spend with your pet. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant you could just let your pet sit on the couch with you while you watch TV and pet them or take them on a car ride with you. No matter what it is, just being by your side will make your pet’s day. My dog, Lady, loves taking naps with me. It’s not much, but just being close to me is enough to make her happy.

Exercise – Of course, this is something important to give your pet every day, but today try something new or just take them out longer. Go on a walk on your favorite walking trail or throw the Frisbee around a little longer than usual. The exercise will be great for not only your pet but also for you.

Play Date – Depending on your pet’s personality (like my dog’s) this may not be the best way to show your love, but if you’ve got a friendly fur ball at home that loves meeting fellow pets why not set up a play date. Call your friend and ask them to bring over their pet so they can both run around together and socialize. You can also take them to a pet park or dog park to meet new pets!

These are only a few ways you can pamper your pet today. Pets come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities, so make sure to choose something that your pet will love. I have two dwarf hamsters that don’t necessarily like the whole quality time idea, so I just let them run around in the exercise balls longer than usual and give them a special treat when they’re done. Get creative and come up with your own ideas that would better suit your pet. Just remember today is your pet’s day so make it all about them!

 

Kelsey Schirm is a junior at Iowa State University pursuing a double major in Journalism & Mass Communication and Art & Design. She loves exercising, cooking, and being outdoors.