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- Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your furry friend
07.02.24
They love us unconditionally, and are excited to see us every time we walk in the door. We see them as our life companions, best friends or family members, and most of us cannot imagine life without them.
We know you don’t really need a special day to spoil your paw-fect pal, but why not celebrate Valentine’s Day with them anyway?
We’ve put our heads together and come up with our top suggestions for celebrating the day of love with your fur baby.
Time – the greatest gift of all
Spend some extra time with your pet on Valentine’s Day, or, if you’ve got plans with a human companion, schedule it for another day – your four-legged friend won’t know the difference!
It’s not all about quality time. Just being around your fur baby more than usual will make their day! If a small portion of it is spent doing something special together, so much the better.
The purr-fect Valentine’s date night
Get out the popcorn (for you, not your pet), hop on the couch and watch a movie together. Most pets will glance at the TV occasionally, especially if you’re watching it or if the TV show features animals on screen.
For cats, that’s usually footage of their favourite prey, such as garden birds and small mammals, while for dogs, it tends to be other dogs or even wolves!
Snuggle up together
Does your fur baby love to cuddle? If so, curl up together on the couch or make a comfy ‘bed’ on the floor, or even let them snuggle up to you on your bed as a special treat (if this isn’t already a regular occurrence!)
Some pets are more willing to cuddle than others. If your pet isn’t keen, rather sit or lie as close to them as they are comfortable with, and try giving them a back rub, a belly tickle or an ear scratch instead.
Indulge in a pamper session
Give your four-legged Valentine a massage and a good round of grooming from top to tail.
A gentle massage can improve circulation and ease stiff or sore muscles. Most pets enjoy being brushed, and their skin and coat will benefit too. If your pooch or kitty isn’t a fan, they may prefer a gentle tummy tickle instead.
The way to their heart is through the stomach
Buy or make your four-legged Valentine a yummy treat, or serve up their favourite meal. If they tend to guzzle their grub in ten seconds flat, try putting it in a food maze or food dispensing toy to prolong their pleasure.
Toys are a paw-some present
Spoil your fur baby with a new toy – replace a worn out or chewed up one with a brand new one of the same, or get something completely different.
Make it an interactive toy and spend some time playing with them. Laser wands, bubbles and catnip toys are sure to be a hit with cats, while most dogs enjoy a few rounds of tug or fetch.
Read more:
Best dog toys available in Australia
Play fun games
Whether a brand-new game or an old favourite, your furry family member will enjoy the excitement and attention that playing a game together entails. Once your furry friend gets the gist of how the game works, a round or three of hide-and-seek, tug or peek-a-boo will add a whole lot of fun to your Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Hide and seek is a great game that challenges your pet’s cognitive abilities, such as memory. You can hide favourite toys or treats around the house or garden for them to find. To ensure they enjoy these games, start with very easy hiding places and work up to trickier ones, giving lots of praise and rewards when they succeed.
Read more:
Indoor workouts for dogs
Explore the great outdoors
Take your pooch on a special outing to their favourite place or visit somewhere new (dog park, dog beach, café with puppuccino’s…) or simply go for an extra-long walk together.
If you’ve never taken your indoor cat on a safe outdoor stroll, you may consider investing in a harness and leash and giving it a go!
Read more:
Walking with cats: Tips for leash walking, hiking and camping with your cat
♥ Whether you do just one of the above activities with your precious pet, or spend the whole day working your way through the entire list, Valentine’s Day – the day of celebrating love – will take on a whole new meaning!
Because there’s one thing for sure – your fur baby loves you unconditionally, and will enjoy the time you spending together, whatever you choose to do! ♥
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This is based on over 2,839 independent customer reviews (as of 31/02/24), with ratings of:
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Bow Wow Meow is proud to be one of Australia’s most trusted pet insurance companies, and to have been chosen as Product Review’s Pet Insurance Award Winner every year from 2018 to 2024!
This is based on over 2,839 independent customer reviews (as of 31/02/24), with ratings of:
Ultimate Care plan = 4.6*
Peace of Mind plan = 4.6*
Accident Plus plan = 4.5*
Google Review rating = 4.5* (based on 759 reviews)
Trust Pilot rating = 4.7* (based on 501 reviews)
Bow Wow Meow is proud to be one of Australia’s most trusted pet insurance companies, and to have been chosen as Product Review’s Pet Insurance Award Winner every year from 2018 to 2024!
This is based on over 2,839 independent customer reviews (as of 31/02/24), with ratings of:
Ultimate Care plan = 4.6*
Peace of Mind plan = 4.6*
Accident Plus plan = 4.5*
Google Review rating = 4.5* (based on 759 reviews)
Trust Pilot rating = 4.7* (based on 501 reviews)
Bow Wow Meow is proud to be one of Australia’s most trusted pet insurance companies, and to have been chosen as Product Review’s Pet Insurance Award Winner every year from 2018 to 2024!
This is based on over 2,839 independent customer reviews (as of 31/02/24), with ratings of:
Ultimate Care plan = 4.6*
Peace of Mind plan = 4.6*
Accident Plus plan = 4.5*
Google Review rating = 4.5* (based on 759 reviews)
Trust Pilot rating = 4.7* (based on 501 reviews)
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Bow Wow Meow is thrilled be a Platinum Sponsor of the Australian Animal Poisons Helpline, a registered animal charity that provides a FREE poisons advice service to pet owners across Australia & New Zealand. We are proud to support this valuable service, another way we are making a real difference to Aussie pet owners every day.
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Bow Wow Meow is proud to be one of Australia’s most trusted pet insurance companies, and to have been chosen as Product Review’s Pet Insurance Award Winner every year from 2018 to 2024!
This is based on over 2,839 independent customer reviews (as of 31/02/24), with ratings of:
Ultimate Care plan = 4.6*
Peace of Mind plan = 4.6*
Accident Plus plan = 4.5*
Google Review rating = 4.5* (based on 759 reviews)
Trust Pilot rating = 4.7* (based on 501 reviews)
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This article is written by
Nicky Klugman
Nicky is our Marketing Communications and Content Specialist. She is an animal-lover who is particularly interested in animal behaviour and the relationships between humans and their pets. While growing up, dogs were always an integral part of the family. Nicky is mum to three human sons and a rescue pup called Dobby.
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*Please note, any pet insurance advice provided is general only. Refer to the applicable Product Disclosure Statement for details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover.
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Senior dog Bamba tore a ligament
Bamba, now a senior dog, has been insured with Bow Wow Meow from when he was a puppy. When he was 11 years old, he ruptured a front leg ligament because he fell off the bed. Bow Wow Meow made claiming the cost of his treatment easy so his humans could focus on helping Bamba to get better.
Bamba, now a senior dog, has been insured with Bow Wow Meow from when he was a puppy. When he was 11 years old, he ruptured a front leg ligament because he fell off the bed. Bow Wow Meow made claiming the cost of his treatment easy so his humans could focus on helping Bamba to get better.
Mike’s Border Collie, Lucky, developed epilepsy at 9 years of age
Mike Galgut’s Border Collie, Lucky, was diagnosed with epilepsy which needs to be treated for the rest of his life. The daily medication helps to reduce the number the fits, but is also very expensive. Bow Wow Meow has been a big help in covering treatment costs.
Mike Galgut’s Border Collie, Lucky, was diagnosed with epilepsy which needs to be treated for the rest of his life. The daily medication helps to reduce the number the fits, but is also very expensive. Bow Wow Meow has been a big help in covering treatment costs.
Rachel's little girl, Lily, racked up over $55,000 in vet expenses over 9 years
Lily was diagnosed with lupus at two. Since then, they have had over 150 claims, with her medication alone amounting to over $35,000. Lily’s brother Luke has also had health issues, as has their cat Marty. Without Bow Wow Meow Rachel would have been lost to cover all these expenses, and Rachel is grateful that they were able to give Lily the best care until the very end.
Lily was diagnosed with lupus at two. Since then, they have had over 150 claims, with her medication alone amounting to over $35,000. Lily’s brother Luke has also had health issues, as has their cat Marty. Without Bow Wow Meow Rachel would have been lost to cover all these expenses, and Rachel is grateful that they were able to give Lily the best care until the very end.
At 5 months of age, Odin the Alaskan Malamute wasn’t walking quite right
His dad, Pip Allen, took him to a number of vets who advised that he needed surgery. Since then he has had a fair bit of work, and Pip is thankful that Bow Wow Meow helped look after everything. He is grateful to the Bow Wow team for going above and beyond, and helping Odin get the specialist support he needed. Odin is now, thankfully, back to being an “unstoppable crazy monster”!
His dad, Pip Allen, took him to a number of vets who advised that he needed surgery. Since then he has had a fair bit of work, and Pip is thankful that Bow Wow Meow helped look after everything. He is grateful to the Bow Wow team for going above and beyond, and helping Odin get the specialist support he needed. Odin is now, thankfully, back to being an “unstoppable crazy monster”!
Susanne’s German Shepherd, Milly, was diagnosed with aggressive cancer
Susanne Sullivan rescued Milly at 18 months of age. She decided to take out pet insurance cover, and was glad she did, because at 6 years old, Milly developed an aggressive form of cancer in her paw, which has since recurred. Bow Wow Meow reimbursed 80% of her veterinary costs on both accounts and she is very grateful that she made the choice to insure Milly.
Susanne Sullivan rescued Milly at 18 months of age. She decided to take out pet insurance cover, and was glad she did, because at 6 years old, Milly developed an aggressive form of cancer in her paw, which has since recurred. Bow Wow Meow reimbursed 80% of her veterinary costs on both accounts and she is very grateful that she made the choice to insure Milly.
Lauren’s Labrador, Moose, needed surgery for a Luxating Patella
Lauren Longo spent a lot of time researching insurance and is so glad she went with Bow Wow Meow. She has two dogs, including Moose, who is a therapy dog, and looking after his health is very important to the family. Lauren wants to give a big thanks to Bow Wow Meow for helping them to give Moose the operations he has needed, including for when he swallowed a sock, and for Luxating Patella surgery, where they were reimbursed $2,929 out of the total of $3,600 for the surgery.
Lauren Longo spent a lot of time researching insurance and is so glad she went with Bow Wow Meow. She has two dogs, including Moose, who is a therapy dog, and looking after his health is very important to the family. Lauren wants to give a big thanks to Bow Wow Meow for helping them to give Moose the operations he has needed, including for when he swallowed a sock, and for Luxating Patella surgery, where they were reimbursed $2,929 out of the total of $3,600 for the surgery.
Andrew’s special girl, Sandy, needed surgery from torn cruciate ligaments
Andrew took Sandy for x-rays after she started limping. It was found that she had a torn cruciate ligament in the left leg and needed surgery. After 6 months’ recovery and loading of the other leg, another knee reconstruction was required. Andrew is grateful that Bow Wow Meow were fantastic and and helpful, and seemed to really care about Sandy.
Andrew took Sandy for x-rays after she started limping. It was found that she had a torn cruciate ligament in the left leg and needed surgery. After 6 months’ recovery and loading of the other leg, another knee reconstruction was required. Andrew is grateful that Bow Wow Meow were fantastic and and helpful, and seemed to really care about Sandy.
Penny’s active Border Collie, Joey, had hip dysplasia in both hips
Joey needed surgery at just 7 months. Bow Wow Meow removed the financial stress so that Penny could concentrate on Joey’s rehabilitation. Penny says that Joey’s life would be dramatically different if he had no cover. He is now 6 years old and loves running around her property!
Joey needed surgery at just 7 months. Bow Wow Meow removed the financial stress so that Penny could concentrate on Joey’s rehabilitation. Penny says that Joey’s life would be dramatically different if he had no cover. He is now 6 years old and loves running around her property!
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Bow Wow Meow is proud to be one of Australia’s most trusted pet insurance companies, and to have been chosen as Product Review’s Pet Insurance Award Winner every year from 2018 to 2024!
This is based on over 2,839 independent customer reviews (as of 31/02/24), with ratings of:
Ultimate Care plan = 4.6*
Peace of Mind plan = 4.6*
Accident Plus plan = 4.5*
Google Review rating = 4.5* (based on 759 reviews)
Trust Pilot rating = 4.7* (based on 501 reviews)
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