Give your pets a little extra pampering

As the sun rises on Wednesday, one might notice a slightly rosy tint washing over everything — metaphorically speaking anyway — when people the world over commence the sharing of affectionate overtures.

Flowers, cards, candies, and gifts ... the currency of Valentine’s Day is meant to convey sentiments to one’s nearest and dearest. And in a time where pets are increasingly beloved and adored as family members, heart-shaped dog biscuits and catnip toys are to be expected as well.

A holiday grown out of pagan fertility rituals in ancient Rome, Valentine’s Day has come a long way over the centuries, morphing into a romanticized occasion in the Middle-ages, later to emerge as a commercialized day of love, mostly due to a thriving retail economy in the modern era.

In recent years, retail-watchers have noted an increase in pets being included in holiday gifting, and Valentine’s Day is no exception.

Therefore, if you tucked some love-themed pet goodies in the cart last time you were at the store, you can count yourself in good company.

It depends on who you get the data from — number-crunchers range from the National Retail Federation to consumer organizations — as to the extent to which pets are being included in Valentine’s Day.

The one thing they seem to agree on is that more money — somewhere in the neighborhood of $750 million, an average of $5.50 each pet, up from $4.44 per pet in 2017, according to the NRF — will be spent just on beloved critters this year, part of an overall trend of rising pet-spending in recent years.

Interestingly enough, though people may spend more on Valentines for their pets this year, there are less of them doing it, according to a survey by finder.com, a consumer information group.

Their survey found that as opposed to 28 percent of dog owners who planned to buy their pups valentines in 2017, only 11 percent were planning the same in 2018, and cats are in a similar pinch with 6.5 percent getting Valentines this year compared to 17 percent last year.

Going further to understand more about the pet owners who do buy gifts for their pets, the data-diggers have also discovered it is younger pet owners who tend to dote on their critters the most.

Pet owners between 18 and 35 — often referred to as Millennials — lead the charge when it comes to pet indulgence, with a quarter of that age group (far more than any other) planning to purchase Valentine’s Day gifts for their fur-babies, the NRF said.

If, however, buying Valentine’s presents for the pets is not on your list, that’s perfectly alright and there are plenty of other ways to show your pets you care without breaking the bank.

• Make homemade treats — Freeze broth in heart-shaped (or traditional) ice cube trays or make heart-shaped hardtack cookies by mixing meat broth, pureed vegetables, eggs and flour into a soft dough, roll on floured surface, cut with cookie cutters then bake at 350 until hardened.

• Treat your pet to a pedicure and a fluff — Grooming helps maintain a healthy coat and skin, provides an opportunity to check for potential problems and makes cuddling more pleasant.

• Make their heart race — Take your pet for a walk or jog, throw a ball, dig out the laser pointer or some string for the cat, or just dedicate some time to playing with their favorite toy.

Rest assured, whether extravagant or on the cheap, pets always love a little extra affection, on Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter.

Sharna Johnson is always searching for ponies. Contact her at: [email protected]