You want to spoil your furry friend as much as possible, but sometimes money is tight and you can’t just pull out all the stops to make your dog feel special. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can spoil your dog that are relatively cheap – or even free! All it takes is a little bit of your time and maybe some creativity to make your pup feel like he’s the king of the world.
Here are the 9 best ways to spoil your dog when you’re on a budget.
#1 – Take him to the dog park
The dog park is an exciting place for many dogs. Dogs that live in homes without fenced backyards rarely get to experience outdoor time off-leash, so the dog park gives them an opportunity to run freely. Friendly dogs who are the only dogs at home get to make new friends. It can be a very joyous place with dogs running and playing and can be a treat for social dogs. Just be sure to bring water and a bowl with you, as not all dog parks provide them.
Just keep in mind that not all pups like dog parks. If yours seems overwhelmed by all the stimuli, don’t worry, there are plenty of other ways to spoil him!
#2 – Buy him a new toy
If your dog had his way, you would buy him a new toy every day. Of course that’s not plausible for most people, but those occasions when you can splurge and buy your dog a new toy make him feel extra special. Be sure to rotate all of his toys regularly, only keeping a few out at a time, so even old toys feel new again when they’ve been in a closet for awhile. Also, check out these multi-purpose toys that not only treat your pet, they give to charity by funding meals for shelter dogs.
#3 – Make her a new toy
If buying a new toy for your dog isn’t in your budget, there are tons of places to find ways to make DIY toys. This BarkPost article lists 33 different toys you can make for your dog with items you may find around your home or can purchase fairly cheaply. Your dog doesn’t care whether you spent a fortune on a new toy or handed him an empty milk jug – any new toys are exciting!
#4 – Get him a puppucino
Participating Starbucks locations will put some whipped cream in a cup for free if you order a puppucino with your own beverage. As long as your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach, why not spoil him while you spoil yourself with a cup of your favorite drink?
#5 – Splurge on a day of doggy daycare
Friendly dogs LOVE doggy daycare. Instead of being home alone while you’re at work, they get to play with other dogs all day long. What could be better than that? Depending on where you live, rates for a full day of doggy daycare may be as low as $20. If you can afford that every once in awhile, your dog will think you’re his hero!
#6 – Spend quality time with him
Do you really spend as much time with your dog as you can? Are you always busy, even when you’re home? Why not set aside an entire day to spend with your dog. Go for a long walk – or several. Snuggle up and watch a movie together. Play his favorite games. It doesn’t matter what you love to do with your dog – he appreciates all the time you give him.
#7 – Find new things to train him to do
Thanks to YouTube, there is a wealth of free information on the internet regarding how to train your dog. Spending the time to teach him new tricks or behaviors is special bonding time that will not only mean a lot to her, it will strengthen your own relationship. There is an endless amount of things you can train your dog to do – as long as you’re both motivated.
#8 – Cook something special for him
Who needs to spend a fortune on fancy treats or meals when you can cook something special for your pup at home? The Dog Bakery offers tons of simple recipes for everything from meals to treats. You’re sure to find something easy that your dog will love!
#9 – Take extra time to care for her health
It’s the little things you do on a regular basis that can help improve your dog’s health and show her how much you love her. Things like brushing her teeth and trimming her nails may not seem like logical ways to spoil your dog, especially if she doesn’t like it, but caring for her overall health is really the best possible way to show her how much you care.
(H/T: Las Vegas Review-Journal, BarkPost, The Markdown Market)
