The second Sunday of September every year is a very special day indeed - it's Hug Your Hound Day! To celebrate this wonderful day, we're sharing some of our top tips for keeping your canine companion happy & content...
Pamper Your Pooch
Who doesn't love a good pamper once in a while?! Our dogs tend to have the same routine day in and day out, so why not treat them to a special pamper day? Plus, looking after your dog's skin and fur is an important part to taking care of their overall health. There's plenty of wonderful, eco-friendly products on the market that will help you to truly spoil your dog (such as Pup Suds luxurious nose & paw balm) but we love to go the extra mile and make our dogs a soothing shampoo from scratch! If your dog has itchy or irritated skin, this shampoo containing oats is a great option to help soothe them naturally. You will need;
- 1 cup rolled or whole oats
- 1-2 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 4 cups warm water
Firstly, grind your oats to a powder in a food processor or blender alongside the baking soda, essential oil and warm water. Apply the mixture immediately to your dog and allow it to sit for 5 minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Wrap them up in a warm towel for the ultimate luxury experience! Get some more inspiration for ways to pamper your pooch here.
Focus on Wellness
Ever noticed your dog stop to smell the daisies? Dogs love being outside, and there are many different plants, flowers and terrains that can provide some great enrichment for your dog! Creating a garden, or a piece of garden, specifically for your dog can help decrease boredom and encourage natural behaviours, improving their overall wellness. When creating a sensory garden for your dog, it is important to consider all of their senses. They'll particularly enjoy flowers in tones of blue and yellow as well as aromatic herbs such as lavender and rosemary. For more tips on creating a sensory wellness garden for your pup, read our guide here.
Gift Them a DIY toy
Get creative and make your pup a new toy, just for them! There are plenty of brilliant DIY tutorials online, we particularly love the ones from Battersea. My dog Raffy loves this DIY octopus ragger toy. To make this toy you will need an old t-shirt or sweatshirt - the thicker the material, the sturdier your toy will be. You will also need an old tennis ball. Start by cutting off the seam at the bottom of your t-shirt or sweatshirt. Cut this into 2 long strips and set it aside for later. With the rest of your t-shirt material, cut a large rectangle and then place your tennis ball in the middle. Roll up the ball inside the fabric tightly. Use the 2 strips of fabric from earlier to secure 1 end of the toy. Tie a few knots to ensure it is secure and then cut off the excess. Repeat on the other side. Cut the remaining t-shirt fabric on each end into 6 strips and make 2 braids on each end, securing with a knot. For more DIY toy inspo, click here.
Bake Them a Treat
Who doesn't love a homemade treat? This tasty treat recipe was adapted from a recipe my mum used to make for human treats, so you know your doggo is getting the best baked goods around. This basic recipe also lends itself well to additions, so if there's an ingredient your pup adores, try adding it to these treats.
INGREDIENTS
• 225g oat or rice flour
• 50g grated cheddar
• 120ml almond milk (unsweetened)
• 1 teaspoon rosemary, fresh or dried
METHOD
1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees
2. Mix together all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. If needed, add a little water at a time until a dough forms
3. Dust your surface with flour and roll out dough until it’s about 1\4 inch thick
4. Cut out your biscuits with either a cutter or a knife
5. Place on a baking paper lined tray and bake in the oven for around 25-30 minutes
6. Cool completely before serving and be sure to store in an air-tight container.
For more tasty treat recipes, have a look at our previous blog post here.
And finally...
Give them a hug!
Hugging your dog releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with love, connection and trust, for both you and your dog!
P.S. If you're looking to show your cat some love, click here!