7 Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ to Your Pet In Their Language

There are many ways you show your pet your love–by feeding them delicious, healthy food, by giving them gifts, by bathing them, by taking them to the vet, by petting and grooming them, by spending special time with them, by telling them and more; however, there are only a few ways for you to say “I love you” to your pet that they truly understand. Read on to learn seven ways for you to say “I love you” to your pet and for them to feel the meaning behind your expression.

1. Listen to Your Pet

Photo via Tam S.

When it comes to communication, the most valuable skill anyone of any species can possess is listening. Obviously, dogs and cats can’t talk; they can’t say, “I’m happy,” or, “I’m sad,” or, “I’m feeling confused.” Instead, animals communicate via their many expressions. When you take the time to learn what your dog’s or cat’s expressions mean, you learn to listen to your pet, and if you consider that most people just want to heard, it’s safe to say most animals want to be (heard), too.

2. Make Eye Contact

Photo via Unsplash: Tadeusz Lakota

They say the eyes are the windows of the soul, and this is true for animals and humans. Have you ever looked deep into the eyes of someone you love and felt a charge? Well, if so, then what you felt was a zing of oxytocin, a “feel good” chemical that is triggered when we feel strong feelings. As it turns out, if you look into your pet’s eyes, they get those feel good feelings, too, so a little eye contact can go a long way in expressing how you feel to your pet.

3. Open Your Resting Space

Another form of expression that should be a no-brainer is physical expression. Show your dog or cat you love them by allowing them to nap with you during the day and / or in your bed at night. The love that you feel when you and your pet snuggle is also felt by your pet.

4. Let Your Pet Lean on You

Photo via Marta Markes

During waking, walking hours, it might seem like an imposition to have your pet leaning or rubbing against your legs, but by not getting stressed and (more importantly) by leaning back, you create an intimacy and a trust culture that proves to your pet that you love them. 

5. Walk Together

Koda going for a walk in the woods photo via @fishingjosh

So much of your relationship with your pet and of your showing your love to your pet is just being together. Rather than take your daily walk alone, going hiking or camping alone, or exploring your city alone, you are at an advantage to take your pet as she will take your decision to include her as a sign that you, too, love her.

6.Groom Your Pet

Photo by Abbie Love on Unsplash

Grooming is a sign that one cares about the comfort and appearance of someone they love. Certainly, people are aware that pets are perpetual self-groomers. To say “I love you”, pet parents can take that burden from their pets by bathing and brushing them on a routine basis.

7. Talk Out Loud

Lastly, pet owners can get out of their own head spaces and talk openly with their pets  in order to say “I love you”. While saying “I love you” is always kind, using clear, simple phrases that indicate pride trigger MRI responses in animals, which reveals that animals associate praise with love.

Another way that you can say “I love you” to your pet is by making sure that the food you feed to them is a healthful one made with natural ingredients like those made by Wellness Pet Food. Wellness also makes several snacks and treats that celebrate your pet every day.