Of course, you love your fur baby but, don’t you wish you could be sure they knew it? Chocolates and candle light dinners are a big ‘NO’ for sure. And they would happily shred up a Valentine’s day card and probably gobble it down too!

Luckily there are more pet appropriate ways to make your pet feel cared for and cherished. Here’s a few to get you started:

1.Spend quality time with your pet:

You might love spending time with your pet. But in our busy lives, sometimes spending time with them becomes an afterthought. Of course, they are happy to snuggle up as we binge on Netflix or trot behind us as we finish our calls. But every now and then if we take out time to really be present with them it can make a huge difference. It need not be for hours at a stretch.

It could be as simple as pausing in whatever you are doing for a minute and really looking at them. Talking to them while petting them. Taking out a few minutes to check in on them. Not only does this help your pet feel loved, it also helps you to keep track of your pet’s health. You can intercept physical and emotional issues at the earliest by taking time to be clued in.

2.Learning their love language:

Does your pet serenade you every night? (though you wish that they wouldn’t) While you can’t exactly return that favor unless you have sound proof walls and no neighbors. You can learn to interpret your pet’s body language and communicate better with them. There are many resources available online for this including free study courses. You could even read a book on pet behavior.

There are several written that are even simple enough for a child to understand like ‘How to speak Dog’, ‘How to speak Cat’. You could even speak to an animal communicator if you feel the need to. Ultimately love and attention is a language every pet is fluent in. So, the first step towards communicating with your pet, is the desire to put in the effort to understand your pet better.

3.Digging up the past:

Many pets have odd habits or quirks which we have gotten accustomed to. Sometimes these habits might be detrimental to the pet, especially in the case of rescues. With older pets, sometimes habits can be ingrained. While it would be hard to change them now, these habits could be reduced or mellowed. Like for a dog who wasn’t socialized as a puppy, a fear of other animals might stop them from taking walks in a dog park.

While it might not be realistic for that dog to start enjoying playdates overnight, it could be feasible for them to be in the presence of another pet without fear. It’s important in this case for them to be allowed their space and not feel cornered.

There are far more resources like animal behaviorists and books available to pet parents now than a few years ago. With their help pets could gently be eased into healthier behaviors with their loveable quirks intact.

4. Tummy time:

An un happy tummy leads to an unhappy dog. Pay special care to your doggo’s diet for a while. You can even consult a good veterinarian who specializes in animal nutrition. Let them know if your pet has any health issues. They could even recommend running some tests for older dogs. If your pet is sprightly and well, you can just start with tweaking their diet slightly. Read about different kinds of foods and their effects on pets.

If you have a diet that’s based on processed pet food you could consider adding some fresh food to it. See if your pet seems to be thriving or not. Watch out for changes in stool frequency and consistency, skin or scalp changes. Always consult a trusted veterinarian before making major changes.  And don’t forget lots of belly rubs for that well-fed tummy.

5.Don’t quit playing games with my heart:

The Back-street boys got it wrong this one time. There’s nothing your pet likes more than some loving games. The best part is you can burn some extra calories in the bargain too. Playing games is not just important for your pet’s physical but mental and emotional health too. Don’t forget to mix it up. Even if your pet is happy playing fetch with you, teaching them new games is a good idea.

Once they have mastered the game, you will notice the renewed vigor in their sprint. Learning new things is also good for mental stimulation which reduces boredom, lethargy and aggressive behavior. Some games which dogs enjoy are ‘hide and seek’, ‘doggy in the middle’, ‘find the treat’, ‘obstacle course’ and ‘feeder mazes’. You could even enroll them in an agility training course or try basic agility courses yourself. The more you play with your pet, the less likely are they to exhibit troublesome behavior or wake you up at 3 am because they are too wired up.

6. Use natural & safe products:

When you shop for your fur baby, spend those 2 minutes extra to scan the ingredients list in pet grooming products. Make the smart choice by using your smart phone to do a minute of research. The biggest names and brightest bottles aren’t always the best choice for your pet. A dog shampoo that looks and smells great might have loads of harsh, artificial chemicals hidden in its appealing look. Some of these could even be toxic to your pet and family. Instead go for products that use natural, safe ingredients that are safe. Maw & Paw uses herbal infusions and essential oils in formulations that are 100 % safe for every member of your pet family.

7. Make your home a love nest for your pet:

Your home is where your pet spends most of their life span. Making your home safe and pet friendly is essential for their well-being. Create a cozy space for your pet using clean and weather appropriate bedding. If you have more than one pet it’s important to make sure each is comfortable in their space. Keep food bowls and water bowls clean and filled at regular intervals. Make sure that the area is clean and free from ticks and fleas.

Using a natural tick flea repellent spray like Maw & Paw repellent spray on the bedding and furniture will prevent flea and tick infestations. Pet toys should be regularly checked and replaced if damaged.

It’s crucial to make sure the home is hazard free for the pet even when they are left un supervised. Toxic and harsh floor cleaners, bleach and other household items should be avoided. If that’s not possible then they should be safely stored away from pet’s reach. Even fumes from these can be harmful to pets so use caution in keeping them away. Home is where your pet is, so do your best to make it a safe haven for them.

A little love goes a long way with these pure hearted beings.  So, don’t hold back in giving back love to your pets in whichever way you can.