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National Hug Your Dog Day: 5 facts and different ways to make pooches feel special

We all know dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years, but there’s more to know about our four-legged friends

Our dogs deserve all the love and affection we can give them. Every year April 10 is celebrated as National Hug Your Dog Day to highlight and celebrate the love and companionship of our furry friends. 

Hugging your dog releases a hormone in both the pup and person called “oxytocin,” informally referred to as “the cuddle hormone.” Not only does a good tight squeeze strengthen your bond, but it also shows your pet that you care about them. 

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5 unique facts about dogs

We all know dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years, but there’s more to know about our four-legged friends which makes them really amazing.

1. Most dogs could easily outrun a human, they’re built to run and chase! The fastest breed of dog by far is the Greyhound.

2. If your dog has ever twitched while sleeping, it is likely that she/he is dreaming. Dogs and humans both exhibit similar sleep and brain activity, according to research.

3. You’re not wrong in guessing if you think your dog is acting jealous when you give other animals attention. It might not be exactly how we experience jealousy, but research has shown that it’s similar to how an infant might get jealous.

4. It may sound unbelievable but dogs and cats can actually get along great, even in the same household, depending on the animals themselves.

5. Petting a puppy can cause your blood pressure to drop around 10 percent.

5 ways to make your dogs feel special

A baby pool for them

Dogs love to swim, so why not give them a special baby pool that’s all their own?

A new collar 

Buying your pup a new collar every once in a while will give him something new to feel, with a different texture and weight.

Go out on a walk 

Dogs literally crave this! So take out some time for your dog, let him meet new people, and witness new experiences waiting outside the doorstep for him. A user on Twitter wrote, "I came home from holidays to this little sweetheart. I missed her."

Let him socialize

Even dogs love being with their social fellows. Meeting new people and their dogs can help boost your dog’s morale.

Take him to the vet at regular intervals

No matter how well you know your dog, a vet definitely knows him better.