If you have a pet in your home, chances are you're always on the lookout for new ways to show your pet you love them. And you're in luck – because we have a whole bunch of ideas right here.
While you can certainly show your feline friend just how much you care by feeding them the best cat food and showering your canine companion with love by buying them a new toy, there are other ways you can let your pet know how much they mean to you that you may not have thought of.
For example, who knew that something as simple as accepting your pet for who they are or putting your phone away when you're spending time with them could be interpreted by them as such a huge act of love? And there are plenty of other easy ways to say I love you that you may not have thought of.
Here's a whole load of inspiration for how to show your pet you love them...
32 ways to show your pet you love them
1. Play with them
If you're looking for ways to bond with your cat, dog, or other animal buddy, nothing beats a good play session. Pets of all types, age,s and stages need to engage in regular play to help them thrive both mentally and physically. Plus, playing together strengthens your relationship and sends a clear message to your pet that you love them.
2. Make special treats
Love baking? Have some spare time on your hands? Why not make your own homemade dog treats or cat treats? Nothing says I love you quite like the smell of freshly baked goods being whipped out of the oven.
3. Talk to your pet
Talking to your pet can be a great way to deepen your connection and make them feel loved. While animals may not understand the meaning of the words we're saying, they do understand the way in which we say them. Loving words said in a loving tone will most definitely be felt by your pet.
4. Give them a good brush
For those of you who have a furry friend in the family, why not give them a good brush? Not only is this a wonderful bonding activity, but for pets who enjoy being groomed, it's something you can do to show them just how much you love them. There are lots of excellent brushes on the market so regardless of whether your pet has long hair or short hair, you'll find a brush to suit.
5. Exercise together
There are so many fun ways to workout with your pet and including them in your daily fitness regime can help bring the two of you closer together. Whether it's doing yoga with your rabbit, hiking with your cat, or kayaking with your dog, why not turn exercising into an opportunity to spend quality time with your pet?
6. Buy them a new toy
Given how much our pets love playtime, buying them a new toy is a great way to let them know how loved they are. And yes, while it does require you to spend money when it comes to the best interactive cat toys, you'll find some brilliant, inexpensive options on the market that will provide your pet with hours of amusement.
7. Go on an adventure
Why not go on an adventure with your pet? Granted, this option won't work for all pets (we're not sure your fish would appreciate being removed from their tank to join you on a hike) but it could work super well if you have a dog or an outgoing cat. Traveling with pets takes some planning, but you don't necessarily need to go on a vacation or even get in the car – something as simple as a picnic in a new park could tick the adventure box nicely.
8. Give them a new view
Providing your pet with a new view can be wonderfully enriching for them. And you don't necessarily have to leave the house to do this. Investing in one of the best cat trees and popping it near a window your feline friend may not previously have had access to can work wonders for cats, while dogs can benefit from going for a walk and a sniff in an area they've not previously visited.
9. Spend quality time together
When it comes to one of our favorite ways to improve your bond with your dog, cat, or other pet, quality time is at the top of the list. This is one of the most loving gestures we can extend to our animal friends – because, let's face it, what pet won't feel loved when the person they love most in the world chooses to spend time with them?
10. Cook them a special meal
Most days, you probably don't have the time to prepare special meals for your pet. Thankfully, with so many delicious and nutritious options lining the shelves, you don't need to worry about whether your pet is getting everything they need to stay fit and well. But sometimes it can be nice to spoil your pet and let them know how much they mean to you. On those days, cooking them a nice dinner can be a wonderful way to show them how much you care about them.
11. Use words of affirmation
Just like us humans, our pets also have their own preferences when it comes to how they like to give and receive love. If your pet's love language is words of affirmation, telling them you love them on a regular basis is sure to give them warm fuzzies.
12. Learn their language
Do you know how to read dog body language? Are you fluent in cat communication? Animals are constantly communicating with us to let us know how they're feeling and one of the most loving things we can do is learn their language so that we're better able to understand them.
13. Let your pet decide how you spend the day
It's not always easy being a pet. Sure, it looks great from the outside. Most animals spend big chunks of their day eating, playing, and sleeping but they also don't have as much freedom or control as they'd probably like. With that in mind, why not let your pet decide how the two of you spend your day? We have a feeling that the simple life will look good on you.
14. Visit the vet for a checkup
Given most animals hate going to the vet, you may be wondering how taking them there could possibly communicate to them that you love them. Well, while they may not feel it at the time, regular vet check ups can ensure your pet is healthy, catch any problems early, and prevent other problems from arising down the line.
15. Give their brain a good workout
From the best cat puzzle feeders and best dog puzzle toys to fun activities for rabbits and exciting games for birds, there are so many great ideas around these days for ways you can offer your pet that all-important mental enrichment. While looking after their physical health is key, giving your pet's brain a good daily workout is also vital for ensuring they stay fit and happy.
16. Accept them for who they are
When do you feel most loved? The answer will be different for all of us, but one response that's likely to pop up a lot is 'when I feel accepted for who I am.' The same is true for our pets. We often wish our pets were different in some way – we wanted a lap cat but found ourselves with a kitty who prefers sleeping on the other side of the room. We hoped we'd get a super social dog but ended up with one who gets nervous around new people. One of the best things we can do to strengthen our relationship with the animal in our life is to love the pet we have, not the pet we wished for.
17. Put your phone away
We all know that phones can get in the way of us being present and connected with the people we love. But did you know they have the same detrimental effect on our pets as well? There's no better way to show your pet you care than to give them your full attention.
18. Teach them a new trick
There are tons of quick and easy tricks you can teach your dog or cat, and believe it or not, even other animals, like birds and rabbits, are capable of learning a trick or two! Not only is this a great way to give your pet some physical and mental stimulation, but it will also strengthen your connection and let them know how loved they are.
19. Create a sanctuary for them
Regardless of the kind of pet you have, creating a sanctuary for them that feels warm, cozy, and inviting can be such a loving thing to do. For dogs and cats, this may look like investing in a snuggly and comfortable bed and furnishing it with soft blankets and a special toy or two.
For fish, it could be creating hiding places in their tank that they can retreat to. And for pocket pets, it could be placing things like chew sticks in their cage that they can nibble on or tunnels that they can explore. Think about what might feel soothing to your pet and create a space for them that reflects that.
20. Respect their boundaries
Just like us, our pets have their own unique preferences, likes, and dislikes, and it's important that we respect these. One of the most loving things we can do is honor our pet's boundaries – so if you have a cat that prefers to have all four paws on the floor, try to resist picking them up. If you have a dog that doesn't like being cuddled, swap to a form of affection that they do enjoy. Listening to your pet will help them to feel loved.
21. Do something together that you wouldn't normally do
It's easy to fall into the same old routine, so why not try mixing things up? There are tons of different activities that you can do with your cat, dog, or other pet – from watching a movie together to playing a game you've not played before. The only limit is your imagination!
22. Let them explore somewhere new
Is your pet an indoor pet? Why not try letting them have supervised access to your garden if you have one? Is there a room in your house they're normally not allowed in? Consider giving them a sneak peek. Perhaps there's an area of your town or city you've not visited with your pet before that you could discover together. Letting your pet explore somewhere new is a brilliant way to offer them some fresh mental stimulation.
23. Make separations a non-event
Whether you're going on vacation and leaving your pet behind with a trusted sitter or you're simply heading out to work or the shops, one of the most loving things you can do where you're pet is concerned is to make separations a non-event. If you make a big deal out of leaving the house, your pet may become stressed or anxious. However, if you're calm and act like it's no big deal, they'll soon follow your lead.
24. Give them space
Showing your pet love doesn't always mean interacting with them or being near them, sometimes it means giving them space. Just like us, animals need quiet time to rest and recharge, so don't be afraid to give your pet some solitude.
25. Feed them a healthy diet
No matter what kind of pet you have, feeding them a nutritious, balanced diet is the key to ensuring they stay fit and healthy for as long as possible.
26. Let them sleep on your bed
If having your pet on your bed isn't something that impacts negatively on your sleep quality, why not treat your dog or cat to a sleepover? Most pets love being close to their humans when it's time to settle down for the evening so this idea is one that's bound to make your fur friend feel loved.
27. Keep vaccinations and flea treatments up to date
Whether it's the best flea treatments for cats or the best flea treatments for dogs, the same advice applies – these are definitely products you want to invest in. Keeping pesky parasites at bay is one of the most important things you can do for your fur friend's health and well-being. Oh, and while you're at it, be sure to keep on top of those vaccinations, too.
28. Take them to the groomers
Does your feline friend need their nails trimmed? Is your dog having a bad hair day? Why not take them to see a professional pet groomer? While there are some aspects of your pet's grooming needs that you can take care of yourself at home, treating them to a pamper session now and again is sure to make them feel loved.
29. Celebrate their birthday
Granted, if you have an introverted pet you may want to skip this one, but if they're an extrovert, why not throw them a birthday party? Social pets will love having people over and the extra affection, attention, and treats they're sure to receive will make their day extra special.
30. Have a professional photoshoot
While you can certainly take photos of your pet yourself, why not treat the two of you to a professional photoshoot and let someone else capture special moments that you'll treasure for a lifetime? Oh, and if you're doing this with your canine companion, a little tip – invest in the best toothpaste for dogs to make sure their teeth are pearly white and camera-ready.
31. Give their bedding and blankets a good clean
Now, we don't recommend you do this all at once because most animals like to have something around with their scent on it at all times, but gradually washing your pet's blankets, bedding, and toys can help remove dirt and bacteria and leave their belongings fresh and clean.
32. Indulge in a snuggle session
While not all animals enjoy being cuddled, for those that do, nothing says I love you quite like a good old snuggle session.
Want more cute content? Here are 32 ways dogs show you they love you as well as all the ways cats show affection
