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June 8th is National Best Friends Day, a time to celebrate the friendships in your life. While you may have many best friends, there’s no greater friendship than the one you share with your pet.

Dogs and cats are truly humans’ best friends. They’re always there to listen, they’re the most fun to hang out with, and they love you unconditionally. What more could you ask for in a best friend?

So, this Best Friends Day, celebrate the bond between you and your pet by doing something special together. Here are 9 ideas:

1. Go to the Park

Going to your dog’s favorite park can be the perfect outing for Best Friends Day. Have some fun in the sun playing with your dog, or watch them play with some of their best pup pals at the local dog park.

If you’re feeling adventurous, find a new park to explore with your dog. This can be a great opportunity to explore your local area, and it gives your dog lots of new sights and smells to enjoy.

2. Make Your Pet’s Favorite Meal

What says “I love you” more than a home-cooked meal? Make some delicious DIY treats or celebrate with a pet-friendly cake. Check with your vet before you introduce any new ingredients to your pet’s diet, and always make sure that you’re cooking with pet-safe components.

If cooking isn’t your strong suit, visit your local pet shop or dog bakery to pick up a special treat for your pet.

3. Enjoy Some Quality Cuddle Time

Sometimes the best way to celebrate your friendship is with some quiet relaxation on the couch.

Cats and dogs are great at relieving stress. In fact, 62% of cat and dog parents say that their pet helps them to relax.

Best Friends Day is the perfect excuse to dedicate some extra time to cuddling on the couch, decompressing, and spending some quality time with your best furry friend.

4. Go for a Swim

Best Friends Day takes place in June, a notoriously hot month at the start of summer in many places. If the weather allows, a dip in the lake or pool can be a great way to keep cool while having fun with your dog.

A local dog-friendly beach or lake is the perfect place to celebrate. But if you don’t have one near you, a small kiddie pool in the backyard can work just as well for keeping you both cool.

Remember to always exercise caution and monitor your dog at all times when you take them swimming. If your dog has never gone swimming before, don’t rush them into deep water. Let your dog go at their own pace and equip them with a life vest for added safety.

5. Schedule a Playdate

Spend National Best Friends Day with all of your best friends! Schedule a playdate with some of your favorite dog parents and get together in the backyard or at a local park.

You can even turn the day into an event. Throw a fun-filled party with food and activities for the dogs. They can have fun with their canine friends, and you can catch up with your human pals – a win-win!

6. Take a Hike

Exploring is a great way to bond with your pet while getting in some healthy exercise. Your pet will love experiencing new sights, sounds, and smells, and you can both spend time connecting with nature.

Even cats can have fun on hikes. If you have an adventurous cat that loves to be outside, leash training is a great way to help them experience more of the world. While a hiking trail shouldn’t be your first step in your leash-training journey, it’s a great goal to have.

7. Book a Photo Shoot

Celebrate your friendship by capturing memories that will last forever. Book a photo shoot with a local pet photographer. A professional photographer will have experience keeping your pet calm during the session, as well as capturing them in motion – something that’s tough to do with just your phone’s camera.

Plus, a professional photography session can be a fun experience for you as well. Many pet parents spend most of the time behind the camera, and this is a great way to get in on the action.

8. Play a New Game

Is your typical enrichment routine becoming a bit boring? Best Friends Day is the perfect opportunity to mix things up with a new, fun game to challenge your pet’s brain.

There are so many fun enrichment activities you can play with your pet. Try hide-and-seek around your home with treats or their favorite toy, or get creative with boxes and old towels and make a nose work puzzle.

Think about the type of play that your pet prefers and create a fun experience to tap into their natural instincts and encourage their problem-solving skills.

9. Keep Your Pet Safe

The best way to celebrate your friendship with your best furry friend is to make sure they stay with you as long as possible. Consider scheduling a check-up appointment with your local vet to stay on top of your pet’s health.

This is also a good opportunity to make sure your pet is microchipped, or update any of the information on their microchip that may have changed recently.

A microchip and ID tag are the best ways to protect your pet if they should go missing. Did you know that dogs with a microchip are 2.4 times more likely to be reunited with their human companions? Cats have an even greater chance of making it home (21.4 times higher than without a chip).

How Will You Celebrate National Best Friends Day?

The friendship that you have with your pet is unlike any other, and it deserves to be celebrated. This June 8th, spend time with your dog or cat and let them know how much you value their love and companionship.

While our pets may not be with us forever, it’s up to us to make the most of the precious time we have together.