The day of love is coming in hot—learn why your furbaby will make the perfect Valentine this year!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and for a lot of us, that can mean all kinds of feelings. Whether you’re going into the day with a significant other or totally solo, you might find yourself entering the day with joy, apprehension, sorrow, or something in-between—and that’s just fine!
This is a holiday that means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but today, we’re going to encourage you to find a very special valentine—your very own furry friend! Trust us, once you have a doggy valentine, no one else will ever compare!
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1. They're The Cutest
Love is a complicated thing, and there are a lot of factors that play into it—there’s no denying that. With a romantic relationship, cuteness can be a big factor. Everyone wants a cute valentine, but you can’t focus on someone’s cuteness level alone.
Of course, if you’re looking to make your dog a valentine, you kind of get to change the rules a little bit. Pups are absolutely adorable, and they give you the opportunity to shamelessly brag about just how cute your valentine is.
Let’s be honest, no matter what kind of human you’re into, no person can possibly compare to the absolutely adorable nature of your dog. When you have a doggy valentine, you get full rights to post all the pictures and brag brag brag about how much cuter your valentine is than all the other ones out there. This only gets better if your dog has a super special Valentine’s Day outfit!
2. Always Excited to See You
If we’re being honest, human valentines really aren’t always that consistent. Some days they’re hot, some days they’re cold. Sometimes they really want to see you—other times they just want their space. Once again, dogs are an obviously better choice here.
Pups really aren’t the off-again-on-again type of valentines. No matter how long you have been gone, they are always excited to see you, and that can be a really great opportunity for both of you. Whether you walk out to grab the mail (assuming you don’t have a home where your dog can happily greet the mailman), or you head out for a couple of hours at the gym, your pup will be absolutely thrilled to see you the moment that you get back. Isn’t that sweet?
There are few things better than coming home to a bustling bundle of love, and dogs are always happy to provide this for their pawrents. This is another reason that they really deserve the title of Valentine—they are always there for us, rain or shine. On a day that celebrates love, why not share it with the furball that is always ready to shower you in love and attention?
3. Prefer You in Your Cozy Clothes
The pandemic was hard for a lot of us humans, but things were different for the dogs of the world. They were nothing short of absolutely thrilled to have their families have all day every day, and you have to admit that it’s very sweet—and it explains why dogs love you more than anything when you’re in your pajamas at home.
Let’s face it, if dogs had it their way, we would basically never be allowed to leave. They would want us home for playtime and plenty of kisses, no matter what day it is. For this reason, dogs often prefer it when we spend time at home in our comfortable clothes—and they will never ask you to dress up.
In the eyes of a dog, your comfortable clothes are an indicator that you’re staying home (with the exception of a few lazy errands runs, of course). Since they love you at home, and they love spending time with you, they are always going to love you at your most comfortable. Forget the fancy outfits or uncomfortable shoes, your furbaby just wants you cozy!
4. They’re Always Down to Cuddle
There is no better day to cuddle than Valentine’s Day, and there is absolutely no denying that your dog is probably always down to cuddle. Instead of having a human valentine that will leave you without cuddles, spend the day with a furry valentine that is always happy to snuggle up on the couch with you.
The amount of comfort that comes with cuddling with a pet isn’t just in our minds—it’s scientific. There is a reason that therapy dogs exist, and pretty much every pawrent can relate to this. There is just something so special and comforting about cuddling with a pet, especially on a bad day.
Humans are different. We’re all our own people with our own desires, but dogs tend to be more focused on a few specific things—and cuddling and giving love is often on the list. Some dogs run up when their owners are upset to give a little extra love and others are easily bribed with the right scratches behind the areas or treats. Regardless, your doggy valentine will always be happy to stop by for some fun bonding time.
5. They Dress How You Want Them to Dress
For a lot of us, fashion is a key area of interest—and this can take on a life of its own when it comes to dating and romance. It can be so awkward when you are with someone with a style that doesn’t match your own. Even if you respect their individuality (which you absolutely should), there is no arguing that sometimes it can kind of throw off the aesthetic of your relationship—especially in pictures.
Doggy valentines simplify a lot of these aesthetic issues because they are happy to dress the way that you want them to, and that means that they will always match you in your photos. On a day like Valentine’s Day, who really wants to risk having outfits that clash on a day of unity?
It might seem silly, but when you see the pictures from this day, do you want them to have you and another person in mismatched outfits, or would you rather have one stunning dog wearing an outfit that perfectly complements your look? It’s a simple choice when you think about it.
Of course, you always have the option to enjoy a human date and stage an adorable Valentine’s Day photoshoot with your pup. Trust us, your Instagram deserves this—and your pup won’t mind.
6. They Will Take a Stupid Walk for Your Stupid Mental Health
If you’ve been on TikTok or Instagram lately, you know this "Stupid Mental Health" trend is all the rage and has gone viral—and with good reason. Mental health is so important, and it is something that a lot more people are beginning to take an interest in, which is great news.
Protecting and maintaining your mental health should always be a top priority whether it means setting boundaries with loved ones or remembering to take some time off from work, but sometimes it just means getting a little exercise and taking a little reset. Dogs are the perfect companions for this, and it is yet another reason that they have earned the title of Valentine on this very special day.
No matter what the weather looks like or how you’re feeling, dogs are always happy to go for a walk, and they will always be good company while you’re out on your stroll. They have a way of reminding us to keep moving and to get outside for a little fun. Our canine companions are natural mental health boosters, and nothing says I love you quite like unconditional support for your mental health.
The best part? They will be just as happy to lie down and relax when the walk is over too!
7. They Will Love You Unconditionally
Valentine’s Day is a day of love, and that means it is a time when we should all be a little more focused on… well, love. It’s not exactly a secret that human life can be pretty busy. We all have our hobbies, interests, careers, passions—and a whole lot more—a fact that can make things fairly complicated in human relationships.
Sometimes, humans clash and love can temporarily—or permanently—be lost or even forgotten in place of other emotions, and that can be really hard to deal with.
Once again, this is an area where dogs really shine. Dogs are known for their endless and completely unconditional love that well and truly knows no bounds. Dogs love their pawrents, and nothing in the world can change that.
Hair is a mess? Your dog loves you. You had a horrible day at work and don’t feel like doing anything other than watching crappy tv and eating cookies out of the jar? Your doggo will love you and give you extra attention because you have cookies.
Lose your job? Fail a class? Break your phone screen? Mess up in a meeting? In the eyes of your dog, none of these things matter. They love you above all else, and that is why dogs will always make the best valentines.
How to Safely Make Your Doggo Your Valentine
Having a doggy valentine is a wonderful experience that can come with joy, kisses, and a whole lot of cuteness—but there are some important considerations. Deciding to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a dog is a wonderful experience that every pawrent should try just once (especially if a doggy date is involved!), but there are some additional risks that come with this holiday, and you want to be sure to navigate them the right way.
Know the Risks of This Holiday
A big part of Valentine’s Day as a pawrent is knowing how to keep your dog safe. The reality is that a Valentine’s Day date is all fine and fun until something goes wrong, and a significant amount of dogs end up at the vet’s office near this holiday every single year.
If you walk into a store around this time, you will notice fairly quickly that basically every single space is absolutely filled with chocolate, and as a pawrent, this should set off warning bells. Dogs and chocolate are a dangerous and sometimes deadly mix, and being aware of these risks is very important—especially if you plan to enjoy a little Valentine’s Day chocolate yourself.
Dark chocolate is one of the most popular chocolate options on Valentine’s Day, and it is also one of the most toxic for pets. Inside dark chocolate, you will find a chemical called theobromine, as well as an ingredient that most of us would consider relatively harmless: caffeine.
The reality is that these two ingredients can poison your pup, and that is one heartbreak that no one wants on a day that is all about celebrating love. You can learn more about the dangers of chocolate and pets here.
Find the Best Outfit
After you have made sure that your pupper is completely safe and all of the chocolate has been put away, there is one final—and much happier—step that must be taken to create the perfect doggy Valentine’s Day date: a great outfit.
For Valentine’s Day, we have personally introduced two absolutely adorable outfit options that are guaranteed to make sure that your doggo is ready to celebrate this big day.
First, our The Snuggle is Real Dog Hoodie, which is available in 7 vibrant colors and perfect for dogs that just want to cuddle the day away on this holiday.
The Snuggle is Real
DOG HOODIE
This awesome dog hoodie is so soft to the touch, keeping your pup warm and comfy! Oh and cute, did we forget to say cute?
Of course, for our more extroverted pups, the My Lil Angel Heart Dog Dress, which is available in 6 fun colors, is an absolutely perfect way to get your pupper in the Valentine’s Day spirit.
Little Angel Heart
DOG DRESS
The perfect dog dress for the sweetest little lovebug on V-Day!
These fashionable options are perfect for pups who just want to bring a little extra love into the world!
The Takeaway
Finding the perfect valentine can feel like a struggle, but as long as you’ve got a dog by your side, you will find that the perfect date is already there. On this day where we celebrate love, we highly encourage you to ask your pup to be your valentine (even if you plan on having a human one too!). You can show your pup just how much you care by asking them to be yours on this very special day—just remember to give them a heart-shaped treat or another dog-safe goodie when you ask!
Until next time, thank you for reading!
About the author: Gabrielle is the loving pawrent to adorable pups Willow and Dilla. Growing up surrounded by dogs, she always dreamt of having her own. Willow and Dilla came into her life and changed everything. Now, she's crazy about pampered pooches, and her perfect day involves dancing with her husband, dressing up her furbabies, and cuddling them to sleep. For Gabrielle, life is all about spreading love and joy with her adorable canine companions by her side.
