It may be a load of fun to cheer for your favorite team with family or friends during big game days. But why leave your pets out of the fun? Involving them on game day can treat them to a sense of joy and belongingness—likely two emotions that you yourself feel when you celebrate your team’s victories. Who knows—this may even be the start of a fun bonding tradition for you, your pets, and other sports fans in proximity.
To that end, here are some ways for making game days as exciting and enjoyable for your furry companions as they are for you:
1) Dress Your Pets Up in Your Team’s Colors
Get your pets to cheer for your favorite team alongside you by dressing them up in your team’s colors. Look for pet jerseys carrying your team’s name, get custom hats for dogs that have the logo of your favorite team, or outfit them with bandanas with an encouraging sports motto on them. If you’re feeling extra creative, you can even make an entire costume for a pet that includes sports gear and the like, using lightweight material. They may not be joining the Super Bowl anytime soon, but they sure can look the part!
When dressing your pet up, however, do make sure that they’re comfortable with the fabric you use so that it won’t irritate their skin. Cotton is the best choice for pet clothing as it’s breathable, which ensures that your pet won’t feel too hot even if they get active while watching the game. Also make sure that any props you’ll make them wear, such as helmets, shoes, or hats, fit well and aren’t suffocating them.
2) Prepare Pet-Friendly Snacks
Perhaps one of the best things about big game days is getting to chill in front of the TV as you enjoy flavorful snacks such as buffalo wings, nachos, pizza, and hotdogs. Let your pets get their fill, too, by preparing some pet-friendly snacks for them to enjoy. Tasty treats such as freeze-dried meat bites, dog-safe peanut butter cookies, sweet potato chews, and more can certainly make the game day feel like a feast for your pets as well.
Do make sure that you keep an eye on what your pets are eating during the game. They might try to swipe some food from your own stash, which can lead to an upset stomach as not all human foods are suitable for pets. Chocolate and onions in particular can be harmful to dogs, so keep those well-guarded if you’ve got them in your own snacks.
3) Set Up a Comfortable Seating Area
Games can take hours, so you’ll certainly want to set up a cozy seating area for your pets beforehand to make sure they feel comfortable all throughout. Get their pet bedding and put soft blankets on the surfaces for added comfort. If you have other people over to watch the game with you, then make sure your pets’ seating area isn’t positioned where people can accidentally step on them.
Note that some pets may also be sensitive to prolonged noise exposure. If the game is getting too intense or loud for any one of your pets, then prepare a quiet space for them to retreat to in another room so that they can take a break from the noise from time to time.
4) Bring Out Toys for Halftime Breaks
Keep the excitement high even during breaks by bringing out toys for your dogs to play with when halftime rolls in. Something as simple as playing fetch, making them follow a laser pointer, engaging them with puzzle toys, or doing some quick exercises can help your pets expend any pent-up energy. These playtime sessions not only get them to stretch their legs in between long periods of just sitting and watching; it also gives you an opportunity to do the same.
5) Have a Photoshoot
Preserve memories of a fun game day—not to mention a pet’s cute outfit–-by taking photos of them before, during, and after the game. For instance, you can show off your team pride by taking a photo of your matching team outfits with your dog. Later on, after your team has seized victory, snap a celebratory photo of you lifting your dog in the air.
If you have visitors who plan to bring their pets as well, you can even host a mini competition by posting everyone’s sporty pet photos on social media and seeing who gets the most engagement.
6) Get Some Post-Game Playtime In
Game day doesn’t have to end as soon as the match ends. Treat your pets to some overtime fun by organizing your own post-game playtime featuring activities such as playing fetch outdoors or doing obstacle courses. This could encourage your pets to become more active, which is always a plus to keep them healthy and agile. You can even turn it into a regular event so that your pets can look forward to their own game days with you.
Whether your favorite team wins or loses, sharing all those thrilling and exciting sports moments with your pets can surely make game day much more memorable. Let the tips above guide you in making sure your next game day celebration will be a blast for both you and your beloved pets.