Celebrate International Friendship Day 2019 with your pet

Whilst I think that we should be celebrating our pets and all the unconditional love and joy they give us every day of the year, make sure you give your pet some extra TLC on the 30th of July as we celebrate International Friendship Day 2019.

It is safe to say that most pet parents recognise their furry loved one as their very best friend. Whether it’s your cat, bird, rabbit or dog, International Friendship Day 2019 is a great excuse to celebrate your friendship by making those special moments together last a little longer.

It can be hard to find new and exciting activities to do with your pet that are outside of the ordinary – so why not make the ordinary extraordinary! With the help of our friends at PETstock, I’ve compiled some tips so you and your furry friend can make the most of your day of friendship together.

Longer naps and cuddles

It can be hard to say no to a sleep-in, particularly on cold, rainy days. Enjoying a lazy morning together is a great way to spend quality time with your pet. According to PETstock VET Dr Hay Chung, paying attention to animals such as dogs improves their developmental and social skills, as well as their general health and mental wellbeing. “Positive interaction such as cuddling your pet helps strengthen the bond between you and build the relationship,” she says. There’s also plenty of research around that shows that when we gaze at our dogs lovingly, they too feel the love.

A recent study found that there is a significant correlation between human and dog cortisol levels (a measure of physiological stress). Out of a study of 58 dogs, 57 of them matched their owners cortisol levels. This means that for these dogs, their cortisol levels rose and fell in unison with their owner’s. Summary, the happier you are, the happier your pooch is (maybe you both need the cuddles)!

Extra playtime

Playing with your pet helps maintain their physical health and reduces the risk of them developing behavioural issues, such as chewing, barking or digging. Think how much they’d love an extra 15 minutes of playtime! As well as benefiting their physical health, introducing interactive play toys for your dog or cat to have some fun together , or spending frisbee with your dog, provides mental stimulation for your pet. Playing hide and seek with your cat or dog, taking your dog to the park, or letting your rabbit have a run around your home is a great way to spend quality time together as well as getting them to exert energy.

Daily mental and physical stimulation is essential for any dog, particularly when they’re left home alone throughout the working week and whilst different dogs require various levels of exercise, ALL dogs require a degree of physical and mental stimulation. By simply supplying our dogs with adequate stimulation, you can prevent behaviour problems such as separation anxiety, barking, destructive chewing, digging and more.

Enjoy a treat

Enjoying a treat can be both delicious and nutritious for your pet. Giving your dog an uncooked bone as an after-dinner treat will keep their gums and teeth healthy, while you can indulge in your favourite ice-cream. Uncooked bones will keep your pet happy for hours while also providing them with the necessary minerals and nutrients they need for good digestive health. There are also all sorts of healthy chews on the market to suit your needs. Some dogs love nothing more than gnawing into a long last chew treat, whilst others love a quick tasty morsel. On International Friendship Day 2019 find the one they love the most and spoil them!! Remember though, treats should only make up 10% of your pet’s total daily diet so don’t over treat them.

Go Shopping!

What better way to recognise your friendship than buying your furry friend a gift for International Friendship Day? Buying your pet a new toy, accessory or outfit is a fun way to symbolise your friendship. It’s a win-win – you get the chance to go shopping and your pet can add to their toy collection or wardrobe. If you’re looking for a one stop shop to get your furry friend a special something to say thanks for their friendship visit petstock.com.au 

But remember, most of all our pets want our company. So if nothing else, then spend as much extra time you can with them on International Friendship Day…and don’t forget to show them how much you love them every other day of the year! You’ll get nothing but love back in return so it’s the best win-win of all!

Lara & Darcy x

About the Author: Lara Shannon is co-Host of Pooches at Play and has completed a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour & Training with the National Dog Trainers Federation. Lara also runs her own dog training, minding and walking business in Melbourne’s Bayside area.