Although all dog lovers (and, no doubt, their four-legged family members) know that every day should be National Spoil Your Dog Day, August 10 is when we have the official holiday set aside to pamper your pup even more than the other 364 days of the year!
Here are seven great ways to show your best friends just how much you love them, from Met Life Pet Insurance:
Make Homemade, Healthy Dog Treats for Your Pooch
Homemade treats are healthier than store-bought, and you can rest assured you will know what’s in every bite. You can shop at your favorite local grocer or farm stand and can try out any homemade dog treat recipes, like these peanut butter and carrot treats from allrecipes.com. Feel free to create some of your own out of your dog’s favorite ingredients.
Check out these helpful resources when making your homemade dog treats:
- 10 Awesome Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
- Fruits Dogs Can Eat
- Top 10 Vegetables for Dogs
Play with Your Dog
Exercise and playtime are great for your dog (and for you too)! Spend some extra time playing with your pooch today and play fetch until your pup gets tired. Consider introducing a new game, like teaching your dog to play Frisbee.
Take Your Pup For a Beach Day
What better way to enjoy the Dog Days of Summer than to head to the beach? Let your furry friend enjoy the water on her paws and the summer sunshine on her snout while she digs to her heart’s content. If you plan to travel to the ocean, check out Met Life’s helpful tips for doggy beach time. If you want to keep it local, there are plenty of lakeside beaches for you and your dog to explore.
Take Your Dog to Explore A New Place
You don’t have to travel far to take a day-trip with your pooch. How about trying a walk, hike, or picnic together in a place you have never visited? Look up state parks in your area, as well as hiking and walking trails that are dog-friendly. Just remember to stay on marked trails that are within your (and your dog’s) ability level. A walk or hike is an excellent way for both of you to get exercise, create healthy habits, and check out new places in your area. Be sure to remember to pack plenty of water for the both of you during your trip.
Take Your Pooch For a Frozen Treat
Nothing says summer like ice cream and frozen yogurt. There are several ice cream parlors and frozen yogurt shops all around the United States that serve up dog-friendly frozen treats. You can even search for local shops near you that offer pet-friendly treats. Many shops serve non-dairy ice cream treats, topped with a dog biscuit. A refreshing treat is sure to be a hit with your fur friend on Spoil Your Dog Day!
Let Your Dog Pick Out A New Toy
If you’ve ever taken your dog into a pet supply store with you, you know how eager she is to grab items off the shelves and play with them, taste them, or try them out. What better way to spoil her than to let her pick something out to take home? Hey, today is all about her – let her decide which toy or bone she wants. Just be sure to keep away from the fatty, processed bones, which can cause upset stomach.
Make Sure Your Pup is up-to-date on Wellness Exams and Vaccinations
While not a ten on your fun meter, making sure your dog is current on her wellness exams and vaccinations will help keep her healthy – after all, you want to spoil your dog for many years to come.
Sure, you may spoil her daily, but this is the day to step it up. Shower her with extra love, attention, goodies, and fun activities all day long. It’s also important to note that you don’t need to spend much money to spoil your dog. Keep in mind your dog’s favorite thing in the world is spending time with you.
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