How to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your dog

If you feel like “roses are red… but let’s be honest, dogs are better,” you’re in good company. Nearly 30 percent of Americans surveyed say they want to celebrate Valentine’s Day just with their pets! After all, February 14th is about love. What bond is stronger or more unconditional than the one we share with our dogs?

Whether you dedicate the whole day to your pup or simply carve out some pet-focused time around your other celebrations, here are our top ideas to create a dog-friendly Valentine’s Day that’ll give you both major heart eyes.

Just don’t forget: Your dog doesn’t need a single day of grand gestures. The real romance is showing up consistently. (And we know you do that already!)

First: What gifts does your dog actually want?

Lately I’ve spent a lot of time asking myself what my dog cares about most. She certainly likes her toys (and prefers some more than others). She wags her tail eagerly for food (especially salmon, which we share with her whenever we cook it in the cast-iron). She nudges her go-to fleece blanket into a perfect nest almost every night.

But if I had to narrow her favorite experiences down? Most of what makes her happy doesn’t depend on any specific object. Once my dog’s basic needs are met, she gets the greatest joy from 1) novelty and 2) quality time with her people! Of course, fun gifts like new treats and toys can be part of that—but they don’t have to be.

This is where thoughtful canine enrichment comes in. Setting up the right shared activities is a way to show your pup love in a language they understand.

What’s canine enrichment, again?

At its simplest, enrichment refers to activities that “enrich” our dogs’ lives. Anything that satisfies our pups’ instincts to act out natural canine behaviors—like sniffing, scavenging, and playing—counts as enrichment! I often use the term interchangeably with “fulfillment.” (When I’m stuck, I ask myself this question: What do I think makes my dog’s heart sing? How can I create more opportunities for her to feel that day?)

As a general rule, our dogs feel most content when we give them a variety of experiences. Try to balance mental enrichment (things that work your pup’s brain) with physical enrichment (like traditional exercise and play) to strike the right balance.

Valentine’s Day meal enrichment

Food enrichment is a great, accessible way to spruce up your pup’s day. Dogs are both predators and scavengers, which means they enjoy eating a wide range of different tastes and textures!

• Make your dog some holiday-themed frozen treats! You can mash up some pup-safe ingredients (like bananas, peanut butter, pumpkin, and plain oats) before freezing them in an ice cube tray. Don’t have an ice cube tray? Just drop dollops of the mixture on a cookie sheet to freeze and peel off later! And if you’re feeling fancy, chocolate molds and cookie cutters can also help you create seasonal shapes.
• Lean into the Valentine’s Day vibes by sharing some dog-safe pink and red foods. Our pups can eat strawberries, watermelon, bell peppers, beets, raspberries,  red apples, and more in moderation. Bonus if you offer these morsels in an enrichment toy (DIY or store-bought, whatever’s best for you).
• Set up some DIY treat puzzles to work your dog’s brain, nose, and dexterity. One simple idea: Hide bits of food in a muffin tin underneath tennis balls, tissue paper, towels, or another barrier. Encourage your dog to dig out their treats!
• Wrap treats or chews in Valentine’s Day-themed wrapping paper. Many dogs love to rip and tear—and it’s even better when they’re met with a food reward at the end. You can learn more about shredding enrichment here!

Holiday sensory enrichment

• Put on your favorite Valentine’s outfit and head out for a sniffari walk. Let your pup follow their nose and choose the route!
• Play some classical or jazz music for your dog. Yep, this is a real recommendation: Studies show that different types of auditory stimulation can help our pups relax! (Bonus if you sing some made-up lyrics about how much you love them. We know you’ve got at least one pup-themed parody in you.)
• Give your pup a massage. Start with soft, long strokes down their back. Work your way to any specific spots that need attention. (My cattle dog’s thighs are often tight from hiking. She loves when we gently rub those muscles out!)

If you’re up for going out…

• Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dog-focused date! Head to a pet-friendly store, coffee shop, or restaurant if your pup enjoys those environments. You might put your dog in a cute bandana, bow, or sweater if they’re comfortable.
• If visiting a potentially busy public place isn’t your dog’s favorite thing, don’t worry. Consider swinging through a drive-thru for a pup cup or other treat instead.
• Or, set up a play date with a friend (canine or human!) your dog loves for some extra social time.

Spread the love

If you’re reading this article, odds are your dog already knows how much you love them—even if you don’t do anything extra special this year. So don’t forget to send some Valentine’s wishes outside your own home, too!

• Donate to a shelter or rescue in need, if you’re able.
• Self-care counts as spreading the love! Make yourself a treat while you prep your dog’s.
• Read about eight little ways you know you love your dog.
• Tell a friend why they’re an even better pet parent than they might think! (And remember that all those points apply to you, too.)

Need more enrichment inspiration?

Check out our deep-dive full of 101 Easy Dog Enrichment Ideas, extra guides into popular enrichment categories like sniffing and chasing, and a whole bunch of other articles written by pet parents, for pet parents.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours!