How to Enjoy the Outdoors with Your Pets
National Pet Month will soon come to a close, but if you’re like us, every day with a furry friend is cause to celebrate. Keeping our state clean, green, and beautiful means you can take that joy outside and explore nature together. Our list of activities should inspire you to make the most of the warmer weather, especially if your companion is of the canine variety.
Cooper, a beloved pet of Keep Smyrna Beautiful, enjoys Memorial Day boatside (Photo by Julie Barwig)
Head to your nearest lake, ocean, or river and enjoy the breeze from a boat. Just be sure to practice social distancing guidelines, and of course, like the lucky pup in the photo above, stay safe by wearing a life jacket.
Feel more comfortable staying at home? Beat the heat by splashing around in a kiddie pool or running through the sprinkler together. If your pup is particularly fond of the water, you can even invest in floating toys.
Frisbee, anyone? A little game of fetch, especially during the cooler morning or evening hours, is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise.
Why not try an agility course? Setting up obstacles in your backyard with items like cones, hula hoops, or tunnels will not only give your pet the physical activity he or she needs, but provides mental stimulation as well. (Any cat owners out there? Your feline friends might enjoy an outdoor playpen like this one we found on Pinterest.)
Head to the woods for the weekend. We have yet to meet a dog who doesn’t like camping!
Take to the trails. If you don’t want to stay overnight, you can still enjoy Georgia’s many beautiful parks. As mentioned previously, just be sure to follow local social distancing guidelines.
Explore your own neighborhood. Taking shorter walks can really help break up the day, and you might discover something beautiful nearby that you never knew existed.
Take advantage of that porch or balcony. Here in the South, we’re never short of outdoor relaxation areas. Welcome the day, or bid it farewell, with your kitty or pooch at your side. Hopefully, you’ll see some pollinators while you’re at it!
Catnip bubbles: they’re a thing. You can also purchase something called a bubble bacon machine. Outdoor pet toys have never been more joyous.
Finally, consider frozen treats. You can purchase paw-shaped ice molds online for under $10, and a quick internet search will bring you a ton of pet-friendly recipe options. Fido might enjoy a peanut butter or berry flavor, while Tigger will go for the tuna-based option.
Hopefully this sets up you and the animal members of your family for a summer of merriment and fun!