Apr 23, 20202 min read

Party with Your Pets: An Alternate Form of Self Care

Our pets, they bring smiles to our faces when we have bad days, make us laugh with their antics, and bring us comfort. One way of promoting self-care is actually celebrating with our pets. During this crazy time, I realized it was my guinea pig’s, Pippin, six month birthday. What better way to bring joy than to create something especially for them? We created an extra special salad with treats they don’t always get and made them a cozy space so they could devour this tower or greens.

This special moment brought joy to both me and my pet, and it even brought Pippin and I closer. There are many things you can do with your pets and this bonding experience will bring you a special joy. One thing you can do is create a homemade treat. There are many recipes online for homemade treats for pets and by taking the time to create them and see the joy on your pets’ face when they eat it will let you celebrate all the times they have been there for you. If it’s not their birthday or even close to it, have an unbirthday celebration. Take the time to create a banner for them, include special treats and cuddle time. With Easter just passing, many pet owners hid treats in their backyard for their pets to find. This is a fun event that you can do any time to celebrate your pet. If you are a crafty person, create something that is especially for your pet. I have known many knitters and crocheters who would take leftover yarn to create a special blanket for their pet. You can even build a maze for your pets to work their way through to treats using materials you have at home.

This type of self-care gives us a chance to shift our focus to the pets we love and adore. These may not seem like huge ideas, but they have an impact on both us and our pets. When my guinea pigs are happy and enjoying something I created especially for them, it brings a smile to my face and gives me a sense of peace. Make sure to take time out of your day to do something special with your pet as a way to say thank you to them and to take care of yourself.