With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, everyone’s thoughts are turning to the holiday that celebrates love. Many people race around in search of the perfect gift to express their feelings for their loved one. But does Fido factor into the equation? When you pick up a bouquet of roses, a box of chocolates, or diamond earrings for your wife, do you stop to think about purchasing a little treat for your best canine pal too? After all; if Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about letting family members know how much you care about them, it just wouldn’t be right to leave Fido out of the mix, would it? If you want to spoil your dog on Valentine’s Day, what are some of the best things to do?
The Top Five Gifts for Fido on Valentine’s Day
- Take a hike
Since most pooches love nothing more than spending quality time with their owners, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to head out to explore some place new. Whether you visit a new dog park, a wooded area you’ve been dying to check out, or even take Fido for a run on the beach, you’re sure to have a blast and work off some extra calories too! Best of all, you’ll work up an appetite, so you and your fave pooch can enjoy a few extra Valentine’s Day treats when you get home.
- Pick up some treats
Who doesn’t love some extra special tasty snacks on Valentine’s Day? Now is the ideal time to break out the big guns when it comes to those high calorie favorites. If Fido starts salivating at the word “liver,” why not grab a slice to cook up for your fave furry friend? Or check out the newest dog bakery in town where you can pick up a variety of new treats for your best pal to enjoy. What better way to say “I love you” than with some tripe, a bully stick, or even a little hunk of steak with Fido’s name on it?
- Plan a doggy playdate
If you have to work on Valentine’s Day, a play date with your main canine squeeze may not be in the cards. But Fido can still have a blast burning off some pent up energy at doggy day care! What could be more fun than making new friends and enjoying a day of wrestling, roughhousing, and mayhem in general?
If you are not a frequenter of day cares, ask around to get recommendations on a great place to send Fido for his day of fun. You will want to be sure the doggy day care you select focuses on providing active supervision and opportunities for proper socialization to ensure the safety of your dog.
- Go for a car ride
Does your pooch consider himself a “king of the road?” If so, maybe a road trip is in order this Valentine’s Day! You can scout out neighboring towns or even take an overnight trip. Many hotels permit dogs to join their owners for a night or two’s stay. Just be sure to call ahead to be certain your hotel of choice is dog-friendly. It’s always a good idea to be aware that sometimes a dog fee will apply, so check with the hotel’s reception desk prior to making a reservation to avoid unexpected expenses.
- Head out for a shopping spree
Who doesn’t love a shopping spree? Sometimes the best present is letting the one you love pick it out themselves. When it comes to Fido, he’d be only too happy to tag along on a shopping trip.
Best of all, a shopping spree combines two of Fido’s most favorite things: a car ride and a trip to the pet store. Grab a basket and get ready to have some fun! But don’t forget to set a budget before you go, or you may find yourself taking home the whole store!
- Consider a massage
Maybe a visit to the doggy chiropractor is just what the doctor ordered for your fave pooch for Valentine’s Day! To schedule an appointment, check with your veterinarian who will likely be able to make some recommendations for you. Canine chiropractors offer many different services including massage and acupuncture. You are sure to find something that leaves your pooch feeling very zen!
- Sign up for a class.
It’s always great to have something to look forward to. What better way to have fun with your dog than to sign up for a class to learn a new skill? Today, many communities offer fun classes you can enjoy with your main canine squeeze. Classes are offered in all sorts of fun things including obedience, agility, trick training, freestyle dancing, and Rally Obedience. You could even let your fave pooch put his nose to the test by giving scentwork classes a whirl!
A Word of Caution
Though Valentine’s Day is often associated with chocolate, there is one creature in your life who should not receive this tasty sweet snack as a treat: your dog. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical compound which has cocaine-like effects on your dog’s system which causes your dog’s heart to race. Consuming chocolate can lead to heart attack and death for your beloved pooch.
Though chocolate toxicity in dogs is mostly traced to dark chocolate, it takes only a small amount to make your dog very ill. Be sure to keep any chocolate treats you purchase for the people in your life far out of the reach of the dogs, or you may spend Valentine’s Day at the emergency vet!
Yes, many families love to spoil Fido on Valentine’s Day too. Plan a special treat for your pooch today!
