February 3rd is Doggie Date Night! Whether you’re planning to spend Valentine’s Day with your favorite human, or you’re single and loving it, why not make your pup feel special by spending some one-on-one time with them on February third.

Doggie Day Date Ideas

You can get your doggie date night started earlier in the day with a fun outing.

Walk on the beach. Many public beaches allow dogs during the off-season, so this can be a great time to stroll along the shore with your pup in tow. Check your local beach’s regulations, as not all allow dogs, and those that do likely require you to keep your pup on-leash. As always, remember to pick up your dog’s poop.

Visit a botanical garden. Some botanical gardens allow friendly, on-leash dogs to explore their grounds. You can take a scenic walk with your dog and learn about your local plants and wildlife, with plenty of opportunities for photo-ops.

Stop at a dog-friendly restaurant or brewery. Many breweries are dog-friendly, and some restaurants with outdoor dining areas allow you to eat with your dog on the patio. Food trucks, ice cream stands, and pet-friendly farmer’s markets can also be great places to grab a quick lunch with your best bud. Just make sure to check the destination’s pet rules beforehand to make sure it’s okay to bring your dog.

Dinner Ideas for Doggie Date Night What could be more special than sharing a meal with your doggie date? And no, you don’t have to munch on a bowl of kibble to make this happen! There are many foods that humans and dogs can share, you will just need to make a few accommodations so your dog won’t suffer gastric upset or a serious medical emergency like pancreatitis.

Turkey burgers. Lean and high in protein, most dogs can tolerate a cooked ground turkey patty. No need for buns, pickles, cooking oil, salt, or extra seasonings - save those for your own burger. A plain, pan-cooked patty will be sure to make your dog’s night.

Steaks. A lean, boneless cut trimmed of any visible fat and lightly seared on the stovetop - perfect for your pup. Cut into strips or small pieces for voracious eaters to prevent choking. Strip steak or flank steak are great cuts for this, and for the human diners, they can be salted and seasoned to perfection.

Portabello burgers. For vegetarians, portabello mushrooms make a tender and juicy meat substitute for burgers. For dogs, they’re full of disease-fighting antioxidants and meaty flavor. Just wash, then grill or saute without added oil or salt, then cut into strips or cubes. For the humans, add a bun, seasonings, and all the fixings as you would a typical burger.

You can serve any of the above with skinless mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes with no salt or butter added for your dog’s portion. White or brown rice can also be served on the side. Veggies like carrots, spinach, and green beans are easier for dogs to digest when steamed and/or pureed.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach or doesn’t normally eat these types of foods, it’s best to offer just a small taste and serve up their usual meal. Dogs need a complete, balanced diet each day to get all of their required vitamins and minerals, but these foods can be given as a special treat. If you’re interested in making home cooked meals for your dog on a daily basis, you can use a base mix or work with a pet nutritionist to make sure your recipes contain all of the nutrients your dog needs.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.