Make every day animal day

Every day is pet day if it is up to us. After all, our faithful four-legged friends can use a little love every day.

How did Animal Day come about?

Animal Day has been celebrated on 4 October in the Netherlands since 1930. This day was chosen for a reason: it is the anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. He cared about the fate of poor people and lepers, as well as nature and animals. The day is meant to reflect well on the welfare of all animals. In recent years, Animal Day has evolved into a day where we especially highlight our pets.

Fun ways to make animal day every day

There are several ways to make every day animal day. Below are 5 fun activities that are great fun to do not only for 4 October.

1. Go out with your dog

Can't you make your dog happier than running around, sniffing and discovering new places? Go out with your dog on Animal Day. In the Netherlands, there are lots of off-leash areas especially for dogs, but you can also spend a day at the beach. Still not sure if your dog can go off-leash? Then discover a nice dog play area.

2. Make some treats from your own kitchen.

Give him or her some love from your own kitchen every now and then. There are lots of great recipes online that you can easily make yourself. Biscuits, ice creams, you name it, there are lots of delicious things you can make for your dog. What can also be great fun is a recipe from the book ‘Vergeet de hond niet’. Created and illustrated by Yvette van Boven.

3. Do a photo shoot with your dog

Is your phone full of pictures of your dog? We see funny moments every day that we love to capture. Make some real time and organise your own little photo shoot. It is important to follow some basic rules when taking a picture. For instance, always aim for the eyes or take a different perspective. There are several fun courses available to make you a top dog photographer. Which one we have really enjoyed is the course from hondenfotograferen.nl.

4. Give your dog special attention every day.

There is a special bond between mothers and babies. But did you know that this special bond can also be found between dogs and their owners? A study done by Azabu University of Japan shows that dogs become happier with attention. A hug or a loving look can make any day a lot nicer.

5. Play a game with your dog

A dog loves to play a game with you. Retrieving is one of the most favourite games, but search games are also easy to do at home. Hide some treats around the room and let your dog search for them. Tug of war can also be a fun game. For this, you can use an old cloth or special rope toy. Just make sure the rules of the game are always clear to the dog. Biting your hand is an end of the game.
With these activities, we are sure you can make every day a super animal day! Have fun!