In case you didn’t already know - It’s National Pet Appreciation Week! If you have a pet, you know how special that bond can be. Pets teach us how to love, care for, and appreciate a life other than our own, all while teaching us a great deal about responsibility. That’s why, in 1981, the American Veterinary Medical Association initiated Pet Appreciation Week. The week-long celebration was designed to raise awareness to the benefits of pets in our daily lives, in addition to providing helpful tidbits of information to help pet owners improve the quality of life for their pets.
So, how do you celebrate Pet Appreciation Week?
Start by spending a little more quality time with your animal. It’s an important aspect to any relationship and it has been shown to lessen stress and anxiety.
You can also make it a point to give them more treats. In most cases, treating your pet when they show good behavior reinforces that behavior. They get treats and you get a better-behaved pet. It’s a win-win.
While this may not be an option for all pets, spend a little time (or money) to pamper your pet. Massages, fur brushing, and soothing baths can not only cause relaxation, but can also alleviate certain skin conditions.
A final, not so fun, way of celebrating Pet Appreciation Week is focusing on their health. A trip to the vet certainly isn’t anyone’s idea of fun – especially your pets – but it should definitely be a priority. In addition to a regular vet check-up, you can also brush your pets’ teeth and clip their nails.
Whether you pet has fur, feathers, scales, or skin that sheds, be sure to spend a little extra time showing them how much they mean to you this week.
This year’s celebration continues from June 5th – June 11th.