Six Tips for Celebrating Pet Happiness Week

Wow, 2017 is already flying by! Can you believe it’s May? And while most of us are preparing for the end of the school year, and the start of that fantastic summer season, at Deceased Pet Care, we’re getting ready to celebrate one of our favorite weeks in May. Why is May 1-7 our favorite you ask? Because it’s National Love Your Pet week! You mean we get a whole week dedicated to our favorite activity!? How could we not celebrate? So, without further ado, here’s our list of a few ways you can love your pet (just a little bit happier) this May.

Read Between the Signs
One of the best ways to love your cat or dog, is to be aware of their body language. Imagine you’re exhausted or angry, and without warning, someone jumps on you, squeezes you tight, and shakes you around for a bit. Not too pleasant, right? Now while the aforementioned actions are almost always a sign of affection, depending on your pet’s mood they could be received as aggressive or annoying.

If you pet is resting, exploring, or just tense, give them some space until they greet you with a wag, smile, or a bit of pawing. We’re pretty sure it’ll happen in no time anyway. More on pet body language in our June blog!

Proper Petting Procedure
We know… it’s hard to say no to a back rub, no matter how mediocre. But have you ever had a massage that was just mind-blowing-out-of-this-world-awesome? Turns out, your pet appreciates a little extra effort too, and it’s really simple.

If you have a dog, a gentle behind the ear scratch can send your pooch into an endorphin induced high. No wonder within a few seconds, my pup is drooling and half asleep on my knee. If you have a cat, a gentle rub under the chin is the purrfect way to show you love them. The base of the tail and the back of the ears a pretty good place to scratch too.

Take the Time to Train
Caring for a pet takes a lot of time, especially if you do it properly. But spending a bit more time upfront with training can save a lot of time and frustration in the future. After all, we discipline and correct our kids because we love them… our pets should be the same. When you take time to teach your pet obedience or even party tricks, you’re really saying “I love you.”

Not to mention, a well-behaved pet is much more likely to garner praise and adoration for their owner and visitors alike. Pet’s thrive on affirmation and can quickly pick up on the “mood” of a room. Do everyone a favor, and take the time to train your pet, they (and everyone else) will thank you for it.

Speak Life
At Deceased Pet Care, we are a firm believer in the power of our words. That’s why you should take every opportunity to speak life to your pet. Animals are often non-verbal communicators. They can detect differences in tone and mood. Moreover, new studies show dogs can even understand words and patterns, not just tone. So, every chance you get, tell them you love them. Your words will boost their mood, and yours too!

Get Out and About
Countless studies have shown the direct link between physical activity and overall health and mood. One way to show your pet how much you love them is to take them for a walk. Go to the park, toss the Frisbee, play fetch – anything you can do to get your pet active can lead to a better (and longer life for your pet).

Start small and schedule an outdoor activity date twice a week. It won’t take long for you both to notice the benefits. Before you know it, we just might pass you in the park every night after work.

Schedule Some Snuggles
It’s no secret that physical touch can cause the happy chemical serotonin to flood our brains. When we first get a new pet, we can’t keep our hands off – but as time passes, we somehow just forget that a hug or snuggle does wonders. So this month, we challenge you to setup a snuggle date for your favorite pet. Not only will it make you happy, but it will create a deeper bond between you and your pet.

At Deceased Pet Care, we love our pets like family. This May, we challenge you to join us and fit each of our six suggestions into your busy schedule. If you do, we guarantee your pet will shake, wiggle, wag, purr, and paw a smile onto your heart.