Love is in the air between you and your pet this Valentine's Day.
Between all the paper hearts, bouquets of roses, and boxes of chocolate don't forget about the furry family member that loves you unconditionally. Your pet is your biggest supporter and number one fan, and a special Valentine's Day is the perfect way to show you care.
Chocolate is obviously a bad idea and roses would go unappreciated, but there are other ways you and your furry/feathery/scaly friend can mark the holiday.
One great free gift to celebrate how much you love your furry friend are these easy free Printable Conversation Heart Collar Charms! The DIY instructions are easy and the charms for your pet's collar are adorable. These will show your friends that you have the BEST Valentine waiting for you to head out to the park!
Here are five ways to spend Valentine's Day with your pet.
1. Do Something They Love to Do
If your dog's version of the perfect day involves running laps at the dog park, take him! If he loves going on long walks more than anything else, lace up your shoes and get going. Your cat would leap for joy if you joined in on their playtime, and even birds have favorite games they like to play.
Whatever you do, remember it's all about them. Try not to think about that co-worker that's been stealing your lunches or the gift you still need to buy for your brother's birthday. Just relax and enjoy spending time with your pet.
2. Spoil Them with a Special Treat
You should steer clear of the candy aisle when picking out the perfect V-day treat for your furry friend, but don't think your options are limited. Pet bakeries are popping up all across the country, and they're serving up seriously delicious treats catered to animal's dietary restrictions.
You can even whip up your own batch of pupcakes, muffins, or biscuits.
3. Let Them Pick out a New Toy
Kids love going to the toy store and picking out what they want, and your pet is no different. Stores like Petco and Petsmart have an open door policy for leashed pets, and dogs and cats are always allowed to peruse the shelves.
Let them explore the store and take their time picking out the perfect toy. They'll be so excited to take it home and start playing.
4. Arrange a Play Date
Valentine's Day may be all about the love you share for each other, but the more the merrier. If your pet enjoys playing with others of his same species, invite his friends over for a good time.
Puppy play dates are always fun for everyone involved, and even cats like playing with other friendly felines.
5. Have a Professional Photo Shoot
Your phone's photo gallery is already full of adorable pictures of your pets, but professional pet portraits are priceless keepsakes. Stores like JC Penny offer pet portrait packages, and it's not hard to find professional photographers that specialize in taking pictures of dogs, cats, and other animals.
Make it a big deal by taking them to be groomed and pampered beforehand, and don't be afraid to get in front of the camera yourself. Selfies are okay, but you don't want to miss out on this opportunity.
Don't forget that on that playdate with your bestie (and your dog's bestie) you can also consider fun activities like creating DIY bandanas together! Pinterest has a ton of ideas. DIY dog collars are also a great project for pet parents!
Spending time with loved ones is the best Valentine's day gift.
Whether you look forward to February 14th every year or not, think outside the chocolate box when planning the purrfect Valentine's Day with your pet. Get creative and remember the most important thing is to let them know they're loved and appreciated.
It's not about plush toys, floral arrangements, rope toys, baked goods or even the new pet Ellen Degeneres collection! This special day is about spending quality time with your best friend!
How are you going to share the love with your pets this Valentine's Day? Let us know in the comments.
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