Have you ever felt left out on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day and wished there was a special day for you and your fur baby? Well, you’re in luck! National Pet Parents Day is the perfect time to celebrate the unique bond between a pet and its owner. This annual observance, which falls on the last Sunday in April each year, recognizes all of those pet owners who go above and beyond in providing loving care for their four-legged (or however many legged!) friends. Let’s learn more about this holiday in this post.
What Is National Pet Parents Day?
National Pet Parents Day falls on April 30th in 2023, and it is a day to recognize the special bond between pet owners and their pets. It’s an opportunity for both new and experienced pet parents to celebrate the joys of being a pet owner. This observance was created to honor those who take extra steps in making sure their fur babies are happy, healthy, and well cared for and treat their pets as if they were their children.
Image Credit: Ana Nikolayeva, Pexels
History of National Pet Parents Day
National Pet Parents Day is an annual holiday that aims to recognize pet parents for the love and care they provide their furry family members. The holiday was first officially celebrated in 2009 after being established by pet food manufacturer Natural Balance Pet Foods, now owned by Big Heart Pet Brands. The idea of the holiday is to give pet owners a special day where they can be recognized for their commitment to helping their pets live happy, healthy lives.
How Can I Celebrate National Pet Parents Day?
There are many fun and creative ways that pet owners can celebrate National Pet Parent Day. Some ideas include throwing a party for your pet, preparing special meals or treats, taking them on an extra-long walk or run, playing with their favorite toy, or even creating personalized gifts just for them.
National Pet Parents Day is widely celebrated online with many pet owners taking to social media to share photos and stories of their beloved fur babies. Additionally, hashtags such as “#petparentsday” are often used on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook in order to promote the holiday.
Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock
Cute Gift Ideas for You and Your Pet on National Pet Parents Day
Matching Collar and Bracelet Set: Show your pet how much you love them with a matching set of collar and bracelet!
Pet Photo Album: Create an album filled with pictures of you and your pet.
Custom Pet Portrait: Have an artist create a custom portrait of your furry family member that you can hang on the wall.
Special Treats or Toys: Make sure your pet feels extra special with a new toy or treats.
Fun Activities for Celebrating National Pet Parents Day
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National Pet Parents Day is a special day to recognize the love and care pet parents provide for their furry loved ones every day.
Here are 10 ideas to help you celebrate National Pet Parents Day!
Host a virtual “paw-ty”! Invite other pet parents over video chat, share stories and photos of your pets, and play fun animal-themed games.
Create an at-home spa and pamper both you and your pet with some luxurious treatments.
Bake homemade treats together, like pupcakes or paw print cookies.
Take your pet on an extra special outing, such as a scenic hike or to the beach for a swim in the ocean.
Organize a meetup with other local pet owners in your neighborhood for playtime, socializing, and training tips sharing.
Make homemade toys for your pet – get creative with old t-shirts or socks!
Have a movie marathon featuring favorite animal films, like “Homeward Bound” or “The Secret Life of Pets.”
Have a photo shoot with your four-legged family member(s) — props optional!
Participate in volunteer work as a family, such as helping out at an animal shelter or organizing neighborhood cleanups to keep parks safe for all animals to enjoy.
Set up agility courses inside the house or yard, a great way to keep your pup active while having lots of fun!
15 Tips for Keeping a Strong, Loving Bond With Your Pet
Take them on regular walks and explore new places together.
Play games such as fetch, tug-of-war, or hide and seek to create an enjoyable bonding experience.
Give your pet plenty of praise when they do something right — it will help build their confidence and trust in you as a pet parent.
Establish house rules and set boundaries from the start to help create a more obedient pet.
Learn about different types of pet breeds and their individual traits so you can better understand your furry friend’s behavior.
Give them plenty of love and affection — a positive relationship is essential for strong pet-parent bonds.
Spend quality time with your pup every day, even if it’s just 10 minutes spent playing or cuddling together.
Feed them healthy food and treats to keep them in good shape, both physically and mentally.
Make sure they get enough exercise to keep them active and engaged in life.
Give your pet plenty of rest to help them recharge after a long day of playtime.
Take the time to groom your pet regularly — it’s an essential part of their basic care and it helps to create a bond between you.
Make sure all their vaccinations are up to date, so they stay healthy and safe from any preventable illnesses.
Schedule regular vet visits to ensure that your pet is in the best possible health.
Have fun! All work and no play isn’t fun for anyone — so remember to enjoy your time with your four-legged companion!
The Best Movies and Shows to Watch on National Pet Parent Day
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If you’re looking to kick your feet up and spoil yourself with a pet movie, here are some classics!
Homeward Bound
The Secret Life of Pets
A Dog’s Purpose
Marley & Me
101 Dalmatians
Lady and the Tramp
My Dog Skip
Turner and Hooch
All Dogs Go to Heaven
The Artist
Best in Show
Eight Below
Homeward Bound II: Lost In San Francisco
My Dog Tulip
Must Love Dogs
Conclusion
No matter how you choose to celebrate, the most important thing is that you spend quality time with your pet and show them just how special they are to you. So, on the last Sunday in April, take a moment to recognize all those pet parents who put their heart and soul into loving their fur babies. Happy National Pet Parents Day!
Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship) and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe....Read more
