Whether you have a cat or dog (or a rabbit, lizard, or parakeet), there's no denying that pets are part of the family. One joy that many pet owners experience is their first holiday with a new pet, which can be a lovely time to start up some new traditions featuring your furry (or feathered) friend.
Your pet may not know what holiday you're celebrating, but you can still get them involved in the festivities. While some of these pet traditions are more for the festive season, most of these can be done any time of the year.
Having traditions is a great way to improve your relationship with your dog and an even better way to bond with your cat, so let's check them out!
32 pet traditions to start this year
1. Give them a gift
This one is fairly obvious, but Christmas is a good time to invest in one of the best large dog beds for Fido, or a one of the best cat hammocks for Felix. Wrap it up, put it under the tree, and then you can involve them in the Christmas unwrapping with something they'll really like.
You don't have to hang around for Christmas to give a gift. Birthdays are a great time to spoil your pet with a DIY dog cake, for example. Or you can give a gift to celebrate the day your pet became a part of the family.
2. Family photos
Family pictures are a great way to create memories to look back on. Why not mark a special time of the year to get these done? You can either take them at home yourself or hire a professional.
3. Special sweaters
Some pets don't like sweaters, and some are too small to be put in one, but if it's suitable, this can be a lovely way to get your pet involved in the festive cheer and stay warm in the winter months.
4. Visit the elderly
There are plenty of charities and programs to bring a lonely person company, food, or a visitor. If agreeable with the person you are visiting, bring along your pet to mark a special visit each year.
5. Their own Advent calendar
You can buy an advent calendar with suitable pet treats or, for bonus fun, you can make one. You can also use one of the best dog Advent calendars when working on new tricks!
6. Make special toys
Instead of buying new toys, maybe at the same time each year, you try your hand at making your own. There are easy DIY dog toys that can be made at home as well as fun DIY kitten toys. Homemade toys will feel more special knowing that you've made them yourself.
7. Homemade treats
If you're a big fan of baking, you can make some homemade cat treats or dog biscuits. Add something extra special to your pet's roundup of usual treats and pull out some favorites like gingerbread or peanut butter cookies.
8. Have them sign your holiday card
Have your pet sign your holiday cards. You can either do it on their behalf by simply writing their name or, if they are amenable, add a paw-print, nose-print or draw around their paw to make their contribution unique to them.
9. Make a personalized book featuring your pet
There are loads of gift websites that allow you to make personalized books, and this is a sweet gift to give pawrents. A storybook featuring your cat, or a "Where's Waldo" style puzzle can be customized to feature your own pet, making it extra special.
10. Have a charity clear-out
Pick a yearly time to sort through your unwanted belongings and donate them to charity. Shelters always need things like blankets, pet beds, and food, so if you've got some pet bits hanging around that you no longer use it's a great time to pass them on and help another fur friend in need.
11. Pet movie marathon
Most pets love nothing better than curling up with their people on the sofa. Set aside an evening to have a movie marathon with your pet and introduce them to famous pets on the screen like Beethoven, the lovable St. Bernard, or adorable pups from 101 Dalmatians.
12. Winter walks
Winter walks can be a bit depressing. That is unless you have one of the best dog breeds for cold climates. They will love the opportunity to get out in the cold and run around in the snow.
13. New bedding
We should always be assessing our pet's sleeping space and ensuring it is still a good fit for our pets. This can be especially true if you have a puppy or kitten that is constantly growing. Investing in some of the best dog beds or the best cat beds will go a long way to ensuring your pet has the best sleep possible.
14. Write letters
It may seem silly, but after a few years you'll look back and be happy you captured some special moments. You can write a letter to your pet each year and save it, or if you have family that has moved away why not send a letter from your pet, making them their own pen pals?
15. Have a party
Parties can be a little overwhelming for pets, but if they know everybody who is invited it can also be a lovely way for them to see all their favorite people at once. Keep the music down, put aside a quiet space and keep an eye out for signs of discomfort and your pet can participate in the party as much or as little as they like.
16. Make pet-themed tree ornaments
If you celebrate Christmas, you'll like this one! There is something extra charming about Christmas ornaments that feature the family pet. Plus, when eventually your pet passes on, they can remain part of the festivities when their personal ornament is hung on the tree.
17. Visit the beach
Your dog will love hitting up some of the best dog-friendly US beaches especially if you have one of the dog breeds that were made for swimming. A yearly beach trip is a great way to unwind by the water and have some fun with friends, family and of course your pet!
18. Pet-friendly dinner
While this can be done yearly, you could even do it monthly or weekly! When thinking of what you'll be having at this special meal why not include some fun favorites that your pet can have also? There are many surprising things dogs can eat that you can include in your meal.
If you have a cat, feel free to do this too! There are just as many surprising things that cats can eat that they will love having alongside you.
19. Puzzle toys
The best puzzle toys for dogs and best cat puzzle feeders can be entertaining and enriching all pets. Why not up the challenge level each year with a new puzzle toy?
20. Make a puzzle of their face
Perfect for pet parents who love puzzles? Why not challenge yourself with a puzzle featuring your furbaby?
21. Go to a market
If your dog doesn't mind crowds, markets are full of interesting smells and things to see. Bringing your dog along with you can add to the experience.
22. Hat making
If your pet doesn't mind hats it's a no-brainer to make them a special hat for fun. Or you can always buy one from your favorite pet store.
23. A new trail
Pick a new trail to try each year. You can research some of the best US trails for dog walks and make a list of all the ones you'd like to try out with your pup.
24. Visit famous landmarks
Similar to picking a new walking trail each year, there are endless US landmarks to experience with your dog. Why not hit up a new one each year, you can even make this a part of your vacation. Seeing new places and things is just one of the reasons to take your pet on vacation with you!
25. Visit their friends
If your pet has particular friends, make up a yearly play date to visit them. Or you can also visit a shelter and hang out with other fur friends.
26. Build a snowman
We admit this one can only be done during the winter or if you live somewhere it snows most of the year. But you can build a snow replica of your pet. They might not enjoy building the snowman themselves, but they are sure to appreciate their snow likeness. And if they don't, they'll certainly have fun knocking it over.
27. Upgrade their harness
While this may not be one of the fun items on this list, it is very important. Our pets are always growing and changing in needs, so you'll want to be sure that their harness is the best fit for their current needs.
One of the best cat harnesses, for example, can be all the difference for cat breeds that enjoy the outdoors.
28. Make a resolutions list
Pet owners may have different goals for each year than others. Things like training, exercise goals, or even vet visits can be things that they want to improve on.
29. Make a calendar for the New Year
Your pet is probably the most photographed member of your family, if we're being honest with ourselves. This means you've certainly got twelve decent snaps that you can use to make a custom calendar to give to your loved ones. Seasonally appropriate dog pooping pictures seem to be particularly popular, suitable as bathroom decor and sure to get a giggle.
30. Catnip
If your kitty likes catnip, pick an especially busy time of the year for you to treat them with some catnip to get them nice and mellow.
We’ve rounded up the best catnip toys – and put together some more info on the silver vine catnip alternative.
31. Try a new animal outing
Pick a new animal outing that your pet can join in on each year. Things like swimming, bike riding or visiting a dog-friendly park is sure to be a blast with your pet by your side.
32. Bring your pet to work
If you're lucky enough to work at a pet-friendly office, why not make it a yearly tradition to bring your fur friend to work with you? Although, it may be hard to get any work done with a cute and fluffy distraction around.
