If you have a pet or two (or ten), then you know that pets are more than just furry roommates—they are members of your family. They put up with a lot from their owners, remaining steadfast through accidental tail pulls, cramped car trips, and more. Because our pets are so loyal to us, it is nice to do something special for them every once in a while. If you are looking for some ways to treat your pets like royalty, then consider giving some of the following ideas a try.
Build a Playground
Do you like to DIY? If so, then you can put your talents to good use by building some play equipment for your pets. You can design your own play structures using these guidelines for inspiration. Your pets will relish having custom-built equipment to climb on, jump on, scratch, and gnaw. As a bonus, you can probably build your playground for a fraction what it would cost to purchase something similar. Once you have built it, you and your pets can enjoy hours of playtime together.
Homemade Treats
If there’s one thing that every pet loves, it’s a special snack. Sure, you could pick up an extra bag of treats at the grocery store, but it’s always nice to make something from scratch with a little extra love. You can easily find recipes online for treats your pets will love, depending on what species they are.
The food tech business Hamptoncreek is known for posting recipe videos on its social media pages, but the company’s mission of making healthy and delicious food widely available is not limited only to humans. One of their videos shows how to make homemade dog treats using their own Just Mayo as well as a few other pantry items. After a couple minutes of work on your part, your dog will be wagging up a storm.
Special Toys
Pets need stimulation to stay happy and healthy. If it has been a while since your pets have had any excitement, providing them with new toys is a simple way to make things more lively. One fun approach to giving new toys is to take your pets to the store with you and allow them to pick some themselves. If you feel really ambitious, you could even make some toys on your own based on what you know your pets enjoy most. Of course, once you have given them the toys, be sure to spend some time playing with them.
Subscription Box
Pet subscription box services offer pet parents a way to show their fur babies some love on a regular basis. Every month for the duration of your subscription, you will get a box of treats, toys, and even the occasional health supplement. Your pets will enjoy actually being allowed to nose into the mail, and you will enjoy making them happy. Certain pet subscription box companies contribute a portion of their profits to animal shelters. That means that by showing your pets some love, you get the chance to help another animal somewhere out there.
Quality Time
Some pets are more social than others, but almost all pets enjoy spending quality time with their owners in some capacity. Think about the activities that make your pets the happiest and then make a point of engaging in those activities. That could mean taking your dog to a special dog park to play some catch, or it could mean snuggling up with your cat and a ball of yarn.
If you need any extra convincing, then you should know that some scientific evidence suggests that spending time with your pets has psychological and physical benefits for you, too. Best of all, a little one-on-one time goes a long way toward keeping your bond strong.
Four-Legged Fun
Family members should always do what they can to keep each other happy. Life can get pretty busy, but remember to stop every once in a while to do something special for the four-legged members of your family. It does not matter if you choose to make a small gesture or take on a grand- scale project. Pets are perceptive, and they will be able to tell that you did something nice just for them. So mix up some homemade treats, build a playground, or pick out some new toys. Your pets will thank you with nuzzles, wags, licks, and love.
