Another holiday during the pandemic means a lot of us will be stuck home without a valentine’s date. Thankfully, many of us have a valentine’s day puppy to spend time with, and there is nothing better than the unconditional love of a dog…
Valentine’s Day is all about showing your appreciation for the ones you love, which makes it the perfect time to show your pup how truly special they are, and how much they mean to you.
Here are some fun ideas for you to enjoy Valentine’s Day with your dog!
Share some fun playtime outdoors
Go for a walk! Dogs love going for walks, especially with their pack members. Taking the time to go for a hike on their favorite trail, or a trip to the dog park, or just for a walk around your neighborhood will make them happy. And of course, getting out for some exercise is good for both you and your dog. And don’t forget to protect their feet, especially in areas with a lot of snow and ice.
Share some fun playtime indoors
There are tons of entertaining activities you can do with your dog inside, and dogs are not picky, they just want to spend time with you! Play some indoor games together. If you Google this topic, you will be amazed by the tons of awesome indoor toys and games that are available for dogs. Giving your dog a Valentine’s Day doggy massage, or just curling up together on the couch in a cozy blanket and watching a movie are also enjoyable things youand your pup can do together. And if you have a dog who likes to watch other pups on TV, choose something all about dogs. Playing a rerun of a dog show is always a favorite for my pooch!
Treat your pup!
Although you can’t give your dog a box of chocolates, and they will most like not be impressed with a dozen roses, you can let them know how much you love them in other ways.
Buy them that plush bed you have been eyeing, or a special new toy. There are so many great products available for dogs these days, it is pretty much impossible not to find something your dog will love. And to make it extra special, wrap it so your dog can have fun unwrapping it!
Make your dog a delicious Valentine’s Day dinner
So perhaps in Valentine’s past, you made dinner for someone special, or you went out to a nice restaurant, well, just because you are stuck home, does not mean you can’t celebrate with some good food! On this special holiday, reward your best friend with the foods they love the most.
There are plenty of yummy “human foods” that dogs can safely enjoy, and in fact, they are often healthier than store-bought “dog food”.
Some healthy “human foods” to share with your dog include:
- Lean meats, like chicken, turkey, and beef
- White rice, brown rice, barley, and oatmeal
- Vegetables, including peas, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes
- Fish, including salmon, tuna, and sardines
- Cottage cheese
- Eggs, scrambled or hard boiled
And of course, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a little dessert. If you like to do some baking from time to time, whipping up some tasty treats for your furry friend is quite easy. Check out these 25 Simple Dog Treat Recipes.
But if throwing on an apron is just not your thing, no matter how easy, not to worry, there are plenty of store-bought treats your pup will love, including ice cream just for dogs!
Be safe!
As with other holidays like Halloween and Easter, Valentine’s Day reminds us to NEVER give dogs candy of any kind, and most especially chocolate. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, as are artificial sweeteners, like Xylitol, which can be deadly, even in very small amounts.
Share the Love!
If you are looking for a card to send to a friend who has a dog, there are tons of funny dog valentines available. Hallmark has a whole line of laugh out loud funny cards! Puppy valentines are very popular, and they even sell a line of Valentines FOR dogs so you can say, Happy Valentine’s Day, Dog!
Whatever way you celebrate, your dog will be happy just having your attention and spending time with you!
Have a safe and happy dog Valentine’s Day, and remember all the reasons having a pet makes life so much better…