5 Lovey-Dovey Ways to Celebrate V-Day with Your Dog
The unconditional love we receive from our dogs is priceless, so of course we want to include them in our Valentine’s Day celebrations, right? Really, what better way to show the doggos how much we care than by centering the entire day around them? Although dogs are typically easy to please, try doing something extra special for them this February 14th to show them that they are the bestest valentine ever!
Dinner for Two
Skip your pups regular kibble dinner for the evening and cook up a meal the two of you can share. There are plenty of dog-friendly recipes to be found on the internet, but they are not usually seasoned for the human palate. So, if you truly want to enjoy the same thing as your pup, there are cookbooks for that too. Who knew? Cooking for Two: Your Dog & You! and The Dog-Gone Good Cookbook both contain recipes both you and your dog can eat. Seriously, there are recipes for spaghetti and meatballs, beef stew, fruit salad, chicken tenders, and more!
If you’re not a confident cook or if you simply don’t feel like cooking, don’t fret. Many restaurants and fast-food chains welcome dogs, and some even have a secret menu for dogs. In-N-Out Burger offers a single non-seasoned beef “Pup Patty” that can also be ordered “Flying Dutchman” style, with two slices of cheese sandwiched between two beef patties. At Shake Shack, you can score a vanilla custard treat called The Poochini and also pick up a Bag O’ Bones containing five tasty dog biscuits. And even Starbucks has the whipped cream Puppuccino, so if you like to keep things simple, you can always just go for coffee.
Movie Night
If you prefer your Valentine’s Day to be low key and casual, keep it simple with a movie night on the couch with your favorite cuddle buddy. For you, it’s a great way to unwind and relax while bingeing a TV show or watching a movie. For your dog, it’s an opportunity to snuggle up next to you for warmth and comfort – with the possibility of receiving snacks. All you have to do is decide on what munchies to nom on, pick something to watch and settle into your cozy spot for the evening.
If you are unsure of what to watch, a great option is the Netflix documentary series Dogs, featuring heartwarming stories of unconditional love between humans and their best friends. And for snacks? Air-popped popcorn that is unseasoned and fruits & veggies (apples, bananas, celery) paired with peanut butter are great healthy snack options you can share with your furry friend on movie night.
Heartfelt Gift Box
Just like humans, dogs enjoy receiving gifts. It’s one of the ways in which dogs perceive love, so if you really want to warm their heart this Valentine’s Day, spoil them with a thoughtfully curated gift box containing some their favorite things. So, what should you put in the box? Well, toys of course! ZippyPaws has an adorable assortment of Valentine’s toys to choose from, including Valentine’s versions of Miniz, Donutz, Happy Hour Crusherz and more! In addition to toys, you can fill the box with their favorite treats, new accessories and any essentials your pup regularly uses.
Spa Treatment
If you really want to pamper your pet treat them to an at-home spa day! The most important thing to remember is to plan out your entire spa routine. Make sure you have everything you need and are prepared so that everything goes smoothly. If you plan on giving them a warm bath, you’ll need a shampoo for dogs. Our friends at Skout’s Honor can help you with that – they have a great selection of natural probiotic pet grooming essentials. In addition to shampoo, you’ll need a brush, nail clippers and a towel.
Start your routine off with your dog’s favorite exercise – like playing fetch or going for a jog. Afterwards, they should be ready to begin their spa day with a massage of the head and shoulders. If you are experienced in clipping your dog’s nails, you can proceed to giving them a pedicure after their massage. Next, grab your shampoo and give the doggo a warm bath. Once you have them clean and out of the tub, towel them dry and give them a gentle brushing. When you have finished with the spa treatment, toss your dog a treat and kick back and relax.
Spread the Love
You and your dog already have everything you could ever wish for – each other. So, on this Valentine’s Day, give a gift of love to a local shelter or dog rescue in your area. Ask them what they need most and make a charitable donation in your dog’s name. You can also give back by making a purchase from our Zippy Charity line of toys. For each toy you purchase, online or in-stores, ZippyPaws will donate $1 to the partner organization.
XOXO – ZippyPaws
