Pet & Love
Dogs & Love
- Petting – Gently pet your dog in the spots they love, like the belly, behind the ears, and on the head. You can even give them a relaxing massage with your hand or a soft brush, which you can find here!
- Eye Contact – Dogs show affection by looking deeply into our eyes. Return their gaze to express love, but avoid prolonged staring, as dogs may feel threatened by it.
- Playtime – When your dog seems tired or bored, engage in play, whether indoors or outside. Bringing a favorite toy makes the experience fun and reinforces that playtime is for outdoors, while home is for relaxing. An outdoor toy can be a great addition - you can find one here!
- Cuddle Time – Invite your dog onto the couch while you watch TV or into bed in the morning. Dogs love physical touch like petting and cuddling, and they’ll enjoy being close. Even sharing sleep can be a bonding experience you’ll both appreciate!
If you’ve read this far, it’s clear you love your dog. Go ahead and tell them,
"I love you!"
Cats & Love
- Slow Blink – Cats see slow blinking as a sign of trust. When you look at them and slowly blink, they may return the gesture, as if saying “I love you” in their own way.
- Play with Them! - Many people think there aren't many ways to play with cats, but they're mistaken - there are plenty! You can take a string and attach it to a small ball, letting your cat enjoy the chase. Cats are natural hunters, so they love games where they can "hunt" something, like a ball, a laser pointer, or a toy mouse. You can find all these toys right here!
- Pet Them! - Cats absolutely love being petted, and you probably already know that, but you may not know exactly *where*. When your cat rubs against you with a certain part of their body, that’s usually a signal they enjoy being petted there. For example, if they nuzzle you with their head, give them a gentle pet in that area—they’ll love it! But there are also other spots they enjoy; try petting different areas, and if they close their eyes and tilt their head, it’s a sign they’re loving it!
- Rest Together - After all these activities, it's time to relax, and cats love to sleep. Invite them to bed with you, place them on a cozy blanket, and enjoy a restful nap together. Some cats might prefer their own space to rest, but most cats will love the warmth and closeness! This shared rest can be a comforting way to bond and make your cat feel even more loved.
If you’ve read this far, it’s clear you love your cat. Go ahead and tell them, "I love you!"