by Leah Reed Forbes
You probably don’t need a national commemorative day to love your fur baby - we know you’re smitten with your kittens, in puppy love with your hounds, and the adoration for your lizard is off the scales - but an excuse to plant an extra kiss on that adorable tiny forehead? You don’t need to ask us twice! Studies show that owning a pet is great for your mental health. They reduce stress, encourage exercise, provide companionship, and love you even when you’ve had a bad day.
Your pet doesn’t care if you’ve gained weight, lost out on a promotion, or spilled spaghetti on your shirt. Actually, your dog might love you even more for that last one. All they care about is that there’s kibble in the bowl and a cuddle at the end of the day, and that’s beautiful. Show your furry friends some appreciation this National Love Your Pet Day.
Get them Groomed
Pamper your pooch with a blow wave and give them that fresh-oufresh-out-of-the-salon the salon feeling, as a treat. Use a mobile dog grooming service like Hot Dogs mobile grooming salon or Paws Gone Wild and they’ll come straight to you, so you can catch up on series while your pups get their hair done. If they prefer a drive, check out Shampooch Dog Parlour at Bram Fischer Shopping Centre.
Style to Make Everybody…Paws
You and your four-legged companion are going to be the walk and talk of the town when you see the gorgeous, locally made pet accessories available. From leads and collars to high-end beds and toys, South African handmade pet companies are creating beautifully designed pieces to delight your pets while complimenting your style and space.
Our faves are Huntlea for beds and toys, Chommies for beautiful dog leads, and Petite French & Co for outrageous accessories. We also love this H & S Cat Tree on Bash and this hilarious pet toy collection from Woolworths (yes, that is a dog toy shaped like a rotisserie chicken).
Give Them a Little Treat
Sometimes cats are strictly kibble-subsisting creatures. I get it; my cats have been on weight-loss food for years, and they’re still heavy enough to crush a small child. They've been banned from People Food…but sometimes, when my husband isn’t home, I sneak them a teaspoon of plain Greek yoghurt, and they go bananas.
Avoid giving cats tinned fish; most of it contains high levels of sodium, which can affect their kidneys, and lots of oil isn’t great for them either. Instead, opt for a treat that’s high in nutrition, like these locally made fish & catnip treats by Gizzls on Faithful to Nature. The Lekker Barkery also make 100% natural treats for cats and dogs that honestly look delicious - coming from a human!
Walkies
If your pet is of the walking variety, explore one of Joburg’s many beautiful parks for a nice, long walk. If you’re tired of walking in circles at the vortex of dogs at Verity Park in Parkhurst (or Barkhurst, if you like), consider exploring the other dog-friendly parks in Joburg. The nearby Delta Park has plenty of open space to let your dog run off-lead on the grass.
For an adventure with dams and walkways, Golden Harvest Park is near the Northgate Dome and is set on 55 hectares of open space for your dog to roam free. There’s also The Wilds, an official National Monument and set in the very centre of Johannesburg’s urban jungle. Check out our guide to the best dog-friendly parks in Joburg here.
Make a Donation
All pets deserve love, even the ones that aren’t yours. Donate to your local animal shelter like CLAW, TEARS, or the SPCA. If you’ve been thinking about adopting a pet, this is the day!
Who are we kidding? We know you have a million pictures of your pets already. Take more. Tag us in your stories, whether you’ve got your bearded dragon in a cowboy hat or your budgie’s au natural, our social media team will be screaming “aww” around the office all day.
However you choose to celebrate your pet on National Love Your Pet Day, remember this: a pet might be a small part of our lives, but to them, we’re their entire life. They love you just as much as you love them (yes, even that aloof cat of yours).
