Having a pet is an enormous responsibility but many people find having a furry friend in their lives to be therapeutic because to love someone or something that can do nothing for you is a liberating and rewarding feeling and when it comes to pets what you get in return is their companionship and unwavering faith which many pet owners can attest to. Today, we celebrate our furkids in our lives with Love Your Pet Day which is celebrated every 20th of February annually. Of course, like Valentine’s, our pets are to be loved and cared for everyday of their lives and we know that most pet owners would go the extra mile to keep their pets happy so here’s how you can celebrate Love Your Pet Day:
1. Kibbles and canned food aren’t as healthy as you think they are despite them containing “complete nutrients” because nothing lasts that long without preservatives. It’s important to provide a diet that’s closest to what they would normally eat in the wild plus, homecooked food is always prepared with love. You can get plenty of homecooked recipes for pets online which you can prepare in bulk and freeze them in advance. Add supplements which you can get from pet stores to your pets’ diet to ensure a healthy coat and immune system.
Also give your little critters and birds fresh greens and fruits every now and then instead of dried grains all the time. They’ll love you for it!
2. Make it a point to spend at least an hour with your pet everyday. Take them out for a walk in the park or a drive and even playing laser tag (yes, it’s no myth that cats love them!) with your indoor cat will make them happy and keep them agile!
3. Groom your pet to rid them of excess fur which will reduce shedding in the process and allow you to bond with your pet in the process. For smaller animals, use a damp cloth to wipe them clean.
4. The next time you’re out at your local pet store buying necessities for your pet, pop into your cart an extra bag of pet food to be donated to your local shelter. You can also make donations to other local animal associations such as AnimalCare, PAWS, SPCA, SCRATCH (Stray Cats Rescue and Treatment Community Help) to assist them in the rescue missions, medical care and food for stray animals.
5. Toys are important to pets as they help promotes healthy exercise and curb boredom or destructive behavior. Get eco friendly toys that are made of hemp or other recyclable materials.
6. Instead of buying a purebreed from pet stores, we highly advocate adopting from animal shelters or strays. Remember, love is not just pedigree. The love you give is the love you will receive and many strays out there are capable of being just as cute with proper nutrition and grooming. One pet store we love is Pet Epicure because this cutesy little establishment located in Taman Melawati is home to many adorable cats all up for adoption at a nominal fee.
Image credits to Pet Epicure
There you have it! 6 simple ways to keep your furkid loved and happy all year long! Remember that pets may seem cute but they require a lot more attention than you think but every pet owner out there cat attest to the fact that they cannot live without the animals in their lives. Love your pet today and everyday they’re with you!
