Six Ways to Pamper Pets
Pets are an important component of a household. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that 63 percent of all households in the United States feature one pet or more. Today’s pets are genuine members of the family, and pet parents want to do as much as they can to pamper their cats, dogs, birds, small mammals, and more.
Dogs, cats and other pets are acquired through a number of methods. Statistics indicate that most pets come to families from friends or acquaintances for free or low cost. According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted, while only 2 to 10 percent of animals are purchased from a pet store.
Individuals who want to go above and beyond in their treatment of pets frequently push pampering to the limits. Some people treat dogs and cats as if they were children, with all of the same benefits. Thousands of dollars a year may be spent being sure these animals live the high life. Whether this has any benefit on the animals’ well-being is debatable; the fact remains that individuals spend quite a few dollars caring for their pets.
Those who want to take pampering to new levels can consider these ideas.
1. Pet treats: While the occasional catnip or dog bone is a nice idea, there are entire bakeries designated to whipping up gourmet delights for pets. Many feature organically grown food items that are human-grade. Cakes, cookies and the like can be purchased that fit with the specific diet and tastes of the pampered pet.
Wag says: Reading the ingredients is the number one key in treats, just like in your dog’s regular diet! The following brands are quite reputable and have quality treats available at most pet stores: Blue Buffalo, Eagle Pack, Wolf Pack, Artemis, Nature’s Variety, Natural Balance, Castor and Pollux, Orijen, Solid Gold, Wellness, Canidae, Wysong. This list is not all inclusive – there are TONS of great brands out there! Try going to Rocko’s Pet Depot or Pet Supplies Plus for a large selection of healthy treats. No more Snausages or Puperoni for our dogs!
2. Doggie daycare: Why leave the pooch home alone when he or she can hang out with other tail-wagging friends? There are a number of businesses that now cater to the canines and offer fun activities and socialization for dogs who would otherwise be latch-key pups. Some daycare centers offer accommodations that mimic home, such as cozy couches and quiet corners in which to curl up. Furthermore, they enable dogs to catch up with their friends, a necessity when Mom or Dad won’t let them log onto Facebook.
Wag says: when selecting a Day Care center, make sure to ask questions such as the following:
What do the dogs do while they play? Free-for-all style play often mimics a free-for-all elementary classroom… it never ends well! Looks for structured play, or even better, play with training.
How is your staff trained? Look for a center whose staff (not just trainers) are trained in dog behavior and first aid. The more educated the staff is, the more they can understand your dog’s behavior.
Do you screen the dogs who come to Day Care? If the answer is no… run! Day Care is NOT for every dog, and a well-run and reputable facility will screen potential Day Care clients with a trial or evaluation of some sort.
What are your training methods? As a client, you have a right to know what the facility’s method consist of. If they don’t have a method, they may not be experienced enough to be caring for groups of dogs. Look for answers like “reward based” or “positive reinforcement.”
3. Home away from home: Instead of sending pets to a kennel, choose a multifunctional facility where they can stay active and stimulated. Dog Activity Centers across the country offer this type of boarding services. For these places, long gone are the days of the 3’x6′ run with a sliding door to go outside – the dogs can play, exercise, take walks outside, run off leash, and even swim!
Wag says: If the center allows (as we do), bring a small bed or blanket with the smell of home on it when you board your dog. Just make sure it is washable! Always remember to call boarding facilities like this early – as mentioned above, there is usually a screening process and other formalities to take care of!
4. Pet birthday parties: One in four pet parents in the U.S. have admitted to celebrating their pets’ birthdays, according to Best Friends Pet Care. Some go as far as hosting a birthday party in honor of the birthday pup or kitty. Some pet sitters and daycare centers actually will host pet parties where other animals can be invited to celebrate. Pet parties are growing in popularity and can be quite lucrative considering the millions of pets currently in the country.
Wag says: Places like Urban Dog and Three Dog Bakery make birthday cakes and birthday treats for your dog! To make your own, find a dog-safe recipe for a treat! Check out this book for lots of dog recipes!
5. Spa treatment: From lapping in a heated pet pool to receiving a massage, some pet owners treat their favorite friends to relaxation treatments. Gone are the days of a simple bath and haircut at the local groomer. Today’s dogs and cats can receive massages, aromatherapy and acupuncture while enjoying additional resort-like amenities.
Wag says: Try one of our facials for your pampered pooch, or combine behavior modification services for those scaredy-pups who need a confidence builder for grooming!
6. Spending time: Of course, one of the easiest ways to pamper a pet is simply to spend time and devote attention to the animal. After all, most animals are content with some love and affection from their owners.
Wag says: One of the best ways to bond with your pet is through training! Every time you teach you dog something new – whether it is in a class or at home – you learn and grow together!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://wagntails.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/author-image.png[/author_image] [author_info]About the Author Christine Fox, APDT, CTDI and a Pet Sitters International member, is the founder of Wag ‘N’ Tails Dog Activity Center with two locations in Michigan. She has been involved with many pet dog trainer certification initiatives, all based on learning techniques that involve humane practices and the latest in scientific research. Christine also raised a service dog for Paws With a Cause and plans to train her newest pup in therapy work. Through her work with dogs and their parents, Christine has developed many happy and healthy relationships with both humans and dogs in the community.[/author_info] [/author]
