6 Ways To Spend Valentine’s Day In Edmonton With Your Pet

Valentine’s Day is a day to spend with those you love the most and show them how much you love them. Typically, February 14th has been geared and marketed towards humans, but more pet owners are celebrating with their pets.

But what can you do to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your pet in Edmonton?

Here are some ideas:

Get Active

As you know, getting out and being active has many physical and mental benefits to you and your pet. Especially since many of us are home more often than usual. 

Why not grab a coffee from your favourite local coffee shop and map out a route you’ve never been on? You get to support local, explore this amazing city we live in, and your pets an opportunity to take in all the new scents around them.  

You could hit up Little Brick Cafe and explore the Riverdale trails, check out Roasti Coffee before you head to Deermound off-leash dog park in Sherwood Park, or test out the brews at Awake Coffee House as you venture out to Big Bear Park. Just to give you a few ideas, the possibilities are endless!! 

Sit Stay Squat is hosting an online couples class for your, your partner and your dog- Sunday Feb 13 for only $35!

Book A Professional Photography Session 

With thanks to cell phones, many people have a camera. As a pet parent more than half of the photos on your phone are probably of your pets.

And while phones have decent cameras these days and help people capture some great photos, professional photos are on another level. Professional photographers can capture images of your pet using high-quality equipment, excellent lighting, and their expertise editing photos to perfection. They are also able to capture candid moments with you and your pet that you may not be able to get on your own. 

There are many great photographers in and around Edmonton who specialize in pet photos. Teann of Mutt Love Photography is not only one of our oldest industry friends, but is ever so talented! (We know from experience, some of our favourite photos are taken by Teann!) A couple of other talented pet photographers in Edmonton, St. Albert, (and surrounding areas) also include Jill of J Shantz Photography, Cassie of  Cassie Thurrott Photography, and many more! 

Fresh Accessories 

Who doesn’t love accessorizing their pet? Many pet parents will spend as much on accessories for their pet as they do on purchasing items for themselves. 

Edmonton is also home to many amazing makers of collars, leashes, and bandanas. 

Alpha LIma Designs is a local company that specializes in hand made biothane leashes and collars (plus bandanas). The beauty is that you can customize so many details when you order a leash/collar, from colour, material, style, and hardware. 

If you are looking to purchase a fun bandana for your pet, check out Plume Pup Co or Houndana. All bandanas are all handmade stitched together with precision and love for your pet. Plume Pup co. even has some accessories for pet parents, while Houndana is always up for custom requests (within reason). 

Watch A Pet Themed Movie

With the real Albertan winter starting to kick up, why not hunker down with your pet and stay in to watch your favourite pet-themed movie? Get some snackies, round up your coziest blankets, and get comfortable! Heck, you could even order some theatre snacks right to your door (or for curbside pickup) from Cineplex, if you’re really making things special.

Thanks to streaming capabilities, there are many great movies to choose from.  Some of our favourites are Homeward Bound, Babe, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, The Jungle Book, UP, Air Bud, Lady, and the Tramp, The Secret Life of Pets, 101 Dalmatians, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Beethoven, The Fox and Hound, Turner & Hooch and the list goes on!! What are your favourite animal-related movies?!

Treat Yo’ Pet

More often than not, the majority of pets we meet LOVE their treatos. (We have the same problem.) Does your pet have a favourite treat? 

Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to treat yo’ pup with their favourite treat! You can take your pet to any local Edmonton pet store and even have them pick out a treat. Order some delicious treats from one of many of Edmonton’s local treat makers. Or even make your own- Heart Beet Treats!

Hungry Mutts offers high-value meat (protein) treats for your pets. They make a great selection of beef, pork, duck hearts, and salmon bite products, to name a few. All of their meat products are sourced by local farmers, another reason why we love them. Mutt Munch is another awesome local treat company. While they offer many types of treats, they are probably best known for their CBD treats. The lovely thing about YEG is that there are so many small businesses to support. There is something for every pet, check out Dear Dog Treats, Tangent’s Treats (mobile treat truck), EZ Antler Chews, Animals in Our House and of course, there are many more great companies! (Too many to list!)

Winter Festival It Up

The Silver Skate Festival invites everyone to rediscover the joy of that first childhood snowfall or to experience that feeling for the first time! This February at Hawrelak Park, feel the wind through your hair (or your toque) as you glide along Edmonton’s largest skating pond, explore magnificent winter artwork at the Waiward Snow Sculptures Garden, and much more.

Of course, please be mindful of other patrons by keeping your pets on a leash, clean up after them and follow all COVID health restrictions. 

Let us know how you plan to spend Valentine’s Day with your loved ones! We wish you a very happy and healthy time!