4 Ways to Celebrate National Pet Month

With the amount of new toys, cuddles, and treats you lavish on your pet on a regular basis, they probably think that every month is National Pet Month. But the truth is, April is the official calendar month for us to celebrate our furry friends—and ourselves as pet parents!

If you’re looking for special ways to say thanks to your pet for being the most adorable floof on the planet, here are 4 ways that you can enjoy National Pet Month before it’s over!

#1: Arrange a special outing with your pet
There’s nothing that will get your dog’s tail wagging faster than an outdoor adventure, and we know that there are plenty of leash-trained cats out there who would also like to join in the fun. So, leash up and get out there! Here are a few ways to make your outing even more special for National Pet Month:

• Make sure your furry friend is up-to-date on their flea and tick medication. Nothing can ruin a good outing faster than having to break out your tick-removing tool. So, make sure your pet is prepared for any hitchhiking parasites by following these tips for a tick-free spring.

• Bring extra water, regardless of the weather forecast. Here in Seattle, the old saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” is absolutely true. But even if there’s rain in the forecast, it’s still important to bring plenty of water for your pooch or cat. You might also bring some pet-friendly hydrating snacks like watermelon or cucumber.

• Choose a place where your pet has never been. True, your dog may go ballistic whenever you make the turn towards the dog park, but for National Pet Month, why not try something new? New places are wonderful for your pet’s mental stimulation, and you’ll have the chance to make new memories together. Remember that any time you introduce your doggo to a new place, their enthusiasm can be an injury risk in the car. Install BreezeGuard Screens on your windows to keep your pup from jumping out to explore their new surroundings.

• Pack a few special treats for a fun scavenger hunt. Whether you plan to try out a new hiking trail or relax at a beach or lake, your pet will enjoy this little game. All you have to do is find a quiet area where you can scatter some treats for your pet to sniff out. They’ll love the chance to flex their foraging skills.

#2: Enjoy a meal at a pet-friendly restaurant
After your fun-filled outdoor adventure, we can bet that you and your pet are famished! Why not stop in at a pet-friendly restaurant in your area where you and your furry friend can enjoy a meal together? Keep in mind that not all dog-friendly restaurants will have dog-friendly food options, so you might come prepared with a treat-filled toy or long-lasting chew for your dog.

#3: Teach your pet a new trick
With the right training method, learning new tricks can be a blast for your pet. No matter if you have a dog or cat, they’ll likely respond to tasty rewards, positive praise, and your enthusiasm. So, set aside some time during this last week of National Pet Month to teach your furry friend something new. Here are a few tips that can make your training sessions extra special this month:

• Have some extra tasty treats on hand. Maybe you regularly train your furry friend with their kibble, and if their own food gets your pet’s tail wagging, that’s great! But, since we’re a little bit more open to spoiling our fur babies this month, why not throw in some extra special treats like bite-sized bits of boiled chicken or high quality treats.

• Go overboard with the praise. The goal of trick-training sessions is to make your pet feel like a superstar! So, don’t feel silly giving them extra enthusiasm when they do something right. This will keep your training sessions exciting and engaging for them.

• Intersperse your training sessions with playtime. We all need a brain break from time to time, and our pets are no different. After about 5 minutes of trick-training, give your pet the opportunity to do something they love, like play fetch, hunt their favorite mouse toy or sniff around the backyard. You can jump back into your training session with fresh eyes after about 5 minutes.

• Follow your pet’s lead. Remember the whole point here is to have fun with your dog or cat! So, if they’re starting to get bored or frustrated, it’s okay to end the session and try again another time. Make sure to end the session on a high note by rewarding them for a very simple command.

Not sure which tricks to teach your pet for National Pet Month? Take a look at our article on 4 Tricks to Teach Your Dog for some simple commands that your dog can learn in no time.

 #4: Consider spending some time away from your pet 
Okay, we know. It’s a bit weird to suggest that you spend time away from your pet during National Pet Month. But the truth is, you deserve to have some you time for being such a wonderful caretaker to your furry family! Spending some quality time unwinding is a great way to celebrate the work you do all year for your beloved pets. And it will help you recharge your batteries to stay engaged and committed to being the best pet parent you can be.

Plus, your pet may not want to admit this to you, but they may actually enjoy some time with their favorite pet sitter while you’re gone, too! If you know someone who absolutely spoils your pet, your dog or cat won’t be so sad to see you go. But, they will have plenty of cuddles and tail wags waiting for you when you come back refreshed and ready to celebrate another wonderful year with them!

Happy National Pet Month to your furry family!
From the team here at BreezeGuard, we’d like to wish you and your pack a fantastic National Pet Month!