February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day.
It seems somewhat unnecessary to have such an observance, given that those of us with pets love them with all our hearts every single day of the year. Still, it’s hard to find anything wrong with a day when our pets are even more special to us. And make no mistake, there are a lot of us: Sixty-seven percent of U.S. households, or about 85 million families, own a pet, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
(Interestingly, there are more cats in the United States than dogs, but the percentage of households that own a dog is greater. Either way, our feline and canine friends clearly rule the roost, so to speak.)
The origin of Love your Pet Day remains unknown, including both the date and who founded it. However, it would appear that this holiday starting being celebrated on a wide scale around the early 2000s. As described on multiple sites, it is a day to “focus on giving extra attention to our pets.” Moreover, the day encourages pampering our pets and focusing on the special relationship pets hold in our lives.
While there are a number of ways to “celebrate” this holiday with your four-legged, winged, shelled, and scaly friends, here are some of the easiest and most meaningful, courtesy of Tractive. (These suggestions apply to cats and dogs – for birds and reptiles, you may need to consult Doctor Doolittle.)
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Praise Them: Shower your pets with nice words and gestures. Many animals actually respond positively to this activity; in fact, studies show that the reward pathways in a dog’s brain are activated when we use kind, approving words. In other words, your dog recognizes and appreciates your appreciation.
Spend Quality Time Together: There is good evidence to support the claim that your furry friend loves each moment they get to share with you. So why not sit back, cuddle up with them, and watch Animal Planet together?
New Toys and Safety Gear: Check out your dog’s or cat’s accessories, toys and safety equipment. Is everything in good condition and still being used, or is it time for an upgrade? Finding a new, stimulating toy for your dog or cat might be just the thing to brighten their Love Your Pet Day.
Try New Healthy Foods: Your dog or cat might be growing bored of their standard diet – so in honor of this day, why not feed your four-legged friend something special? But instead of relying on processed treats, see if your dog likes banana, blueberries, or any other fruits. For cats, plain cooked salmon or cooked eggs might be more palatable.
These are all wonderful way as to how to treat your pet like a king or queen on their special day. But let’s not forget another way in which we can display our love: their hydration. It may not be as much fun for you as cuddling or as appetizing to your pets as some new yummies. but hydration is as important for our pets as it is for us – maybe even more. In fact, our pets’ bodies are made up of close to 80% water, substantially more than our own concentration of 60%. As a result, our pets can become dehydrated far more quickly, particularly over the summer months, often before we’re even aware of it.
(NOTE: So critical is hydration for pets that July 2020 was designated as the first-ever Pet Hydration Awareness Month.)
Just as crucial as making sure your pet has enough water is ensuring that they have the highest quality possible. If you’re filling your pet’s water bowls from your kitchen tap, we recommend using our Clear2O® Countertop Water Filtration System. If your pets are accompanying you on your RV trips, you should be using one or more of our RV water filtration products, whether it’s our DirtGUARD™ Sediment Prefilter, our RV and Marine Inline Water Filter, or our single- or dual canister system.
We even created a filter specifically with your pets in mind. Many of us, especially during the spring and summer months (or year-round in warmer climates), fill our pets’ water bowls directly from one of the spigots attached to our homes. That’s why we created the Clear2O® Garden and Pet Filter, which provides a convenient way to significantly reduce the amount of chlorine and sediments in the outdoor water supply.
Working at the one-micron filtration level, the CLEAR2O® Garden and Pet Filter uses a proprietary solid-block, carbon filter which reduces contaminants far more efficiently than traditional granulated carbon. This technology also reduces herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial wastes, and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA’s).
Pets and even farm animals will benefit from the cleaner water produced by the Clear2O® Garden and Pet Filter. Not only will the filter protect animals from the harmful contaminants found in tap water such as lead, rust, chlorine and other sediments, but it also eliminates foul odor and taste. Studies show that animals drink more water when it is fresh, clean and odor-free, meaning they will stay better hydrated.
On Love Your Pet Day, there are myriad ways to demonstrate the affection you have for your animals. Ensuring that they are properly hydrated with the best water you can give them is not just a symbolic act. It’s a way to keep them healthy and help them live a long life, so you can celebrate Love Your Pet Day with them for years to come.
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