It’s February and love is in the air! As we all know, love can take many forms, and in 1992 Gary Chapman wrote a book titled The Five Love Languages, explaining five of the main ways we humans express and receive love. Here are the five ways he found most of us identify love from our nearest and dearest.
1. Words of affection
2. Quality time
3. Physical touch
4. Acts of service
5. Receiving gifts
Although these suggestions were meant to strengthen human relationships, they can also be applied to our pets. Deepening the special bond we share with our dogs and cats is something loving pet parents desire in our efforts to better understand the often mysterious worlds of our canine and feline best friends.

1. “Words of affection” absolutely applies to our pets who are attuned to their owner’s voices. While the words themselves might usually be beyond the pet’s comprehension, our tone of voice, facial expressions and gestures can be graphically understood. Try to increase your praise and decrease your impatience. Put laughter in your voice, make silly high-pitched sounds or soothing, calm sounds if you have a nervous pet. Talking to your pet is not crazy. It acknowledges their presence, letting them know they are important to you and a valued member of your family pack.

2. “Quality time” is essential to both dogs and cats. While cats are typically loners, dogs are pack animals and need to feel part of a group even if it is simply the two of you. Exactly what makes for “quality” time is going to vary with each pet, and you’ll need to figure out what makes your pet’s eyes sparkle or have them wind between your legs or dance with anticipation.

3. “Physical touch” is probably the most common way we show our pets’ love. There is nothing so charming as a contented cat purring on her owner’s lap or a dog splayed on her back getting belly rubs to warm a pet parent’s heart. Try incorporating deeper massage movements for even greater pet pleasure.

4. Äcts of service” might be a little more subtle, but will be appreciated by your pets, too. Clean and change their food and water bowls more frequently and maybe use filtered water. Make sure bedding is clean but not contaminated with fragrance products. Switch to a biologically appropriate diet for their health.

5. “Receiving gifts” is certainly the easiest way to show love to our pets. Tasty treats and preferred toys provide lots of fun and stimulation, just be sure to incorporate these into the quality time segment and not just toss a treat or toy and disappear. And, of course, monitor the number of treats with weight and nutrition in mind.

So which language of love do you think your own pets would respond to the best? Hands down, my Australian Labradoodle craves more Quality Time and Physical Touch. She gets plenty of Words of Affirmation and Acts of Service already, and she’s not interested in toys and treats are just okay. Whenever possible she is my constant companion, and I’m working on my massage skills and being more attuned to her favorite scratching/petting spots. I am fortunate in having such a happy, loving best friend. Hopefully, this month you will figure out the most fulfilling way to show your best friends how much you care for them. Maybe these five love languages will give you a hint.