How To Best Love Your Pets

When Your Dog is Family

Pets ask only for our love, tenderness, and companionship in return for that coveted unconditional love. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to see the uptick of pet adoptions during the pandemic because I know first-hand the joys of owning a pet. I also know how easy it is to spoil your pet, as do many other pet owners, apparently! Last year Americans spent a record-breaking amount on their pets according to the  American Pet Products Association (APPA). In a study out of Britain, seven in 10 consumers are willing to spend more on their pet than themselves and the costs of keeping pets healthy and happy do not cross the mind of nearly a third (31%) of pet owners. Globally, pets are loved by owners which makes me so very happy! 

My dogs have always been the most important thing in my life and brought me the greatest gift of unconditional love. All my beloved companions, SHERPA, SuNae, KIMBA, KARTU, and now KoKo have changed my life for the better. I have friends with cats who also express a similar sentiment, and it always makes me proud to have dedicated my life to being an animal advocate.

I am asked all the time about how to best love your pets and my response is simple: “Treat them as they are part of the family.” And there is no doubt that many families do not consider themselves complete without our four-legged friends – I love when I see them featured on holiday cards and when they have their own Instagram accounts! While some pet owners are willing to spend a lot of money on their pets, there are other, low-cost ways to take extra special care of them – here are three ideas:

How To Ease Your Dog’s Anxiety

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced this month that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just like us, our pets can experience depression and anxiety, too. How can you help? Play them music. Louisiana State University researchers have found that playing specially made music for cats can help calm their nerves while going through stressful times such as a vet visit, according to this article. I turn to YouTube for hours of relaxing music to help reduce anxiety for KoKo and KARTU (which also helps them sleep!), as dogs too benefit greatly from playing music. 

The Best Diet For Your Dog

I don’t think I could have founded and run a multi-dollar global business for over twenty years if I wasn’t healthy and full of energy. I attribute my energy levels and good health to nutritious eating. We know it is important for us humans to eat healthy, so I always like to stress the importance of keeping your pets on a healthy diet, too.

After all, we control what they eat so it is our duty as pet owners to feed them properly, just as you would do for yourself or other loved ones. I recently read an interesting article in The New York Times about all the different diets humans are on (raw, paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.) and how some are putting their pets on matching diets. I urge all pet owners to discuss their pets’ diets with their veterinarian who can help guide you and your pet to an ideal diet that will give them the nutrition they need to be happy and healthy. What works for you might not work for them, but you won’t know that until you ask a professional.  

Be Present With Your Dog

We are living in a world with so many digital distractions thanks to the abundant number of devices in our households. Trust me, I am guilty of this as I have two iPhones to increase my productivity at work! But it is crucial to put down your devices and be present for your pets who want our love and companionship. Take time to disconnect from the internet and connect with your pets so that they have your full attention. Whether it is simply petting or playing with them, be present and give them your full attention that will most definitely result in a tail wag or purr, less destructive behavior, and instant gratification and happiness for you! 

Gayle is the founder of The SHERPA Pet Trading Company, where she single-handedly designed, manufactured and marketed the iconic SHERPA Bag you see everywhere! This carrier, which millions have bought for their dogs, cats and other animal companions, continues to be THE top-selling, prize-winning, globally-popularly soft-sided pet carrier. Further, it is because of Gayle’s advocacy and entrepreneurship that pet travel on airlines is now possible and common. Gayle’s the author of “IT’S IN THE BAG”, which is part memoir and part business book.