Let’s face it: pets are family. In fact, a Pew Research Center study found 97% of pet owners “consider their pets as part of the family, indicating a strong emotional connection that could lead to expressing love verbally.” In other words, nearly all pet owners say “I love you” to their furry friends. Unfortunately, our pets can’t say it back in words, but there are other ways dogs and cats can say “I love you”. Here are a few you can look for this Valentine’s Day:

Dogs

• Tail Wagging – Okay, so this one is completely obvious and is the primary way dogs communicate emotions. But did you know that the way they wag can mean different things? According to the BC SPCA, a right tail wag usually indicates excitement, while a wag to the left can represent anxiety or fear. Make sure to pay attention to your pup’s full body language!

• Licking – Dog slobber is the currency of canine love. There are lots of reasons dogs lick humans, and showing affection and contentment is one of them. Licking releases endorphins in dogs creating a positive association between them and their subject. Just be careful around your eyes, mouth, and ears!

• Sleeping Near You – When a dog is able to catch some ZZZs in your presence, it means they trust you with their lives, literally! Sleep is a vulnerable time so if your pup chooses to snooze with you or next to you, consider yourself lucky. They see you as a member of their pack!

Cats

• Purring – Another obvious sign of affection, but heart warming nonetheless! Purring happens most commonly while cuddling or petting, so whatever gets your cat’s motor running, keep it up!

• Bunting – Bunting is when a feline gives you a little head butt or rubs its cheeks and head on you. This is a special way for cats to leave their scent, marking their territory and saying, “you’re my favorite”!

• Bringing Prey – Whether it’s a toy or a mouse, cats will share their prey with someone they love. We know it can be a little strange as a human, but cats are carnivores by nature. Even after thousands of years of domestication, they have instincts to hunt and provide. If your cat presents you with their catch, make sure you praise them and thank them for their good work with a little head scratch!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and all your furry companions!

Pew Research Center. (2023, July 7). About half of U.S. pet owners say their pets are as much a part of their family as a human member. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/07/07/about-half-us-of-pet-owners-say-their-pets-are-as-much-a-part-of-their-family-as-a-human-member/

BC SPCA. (n.d.). Five ways your dog shows you affection. BC SPCA. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://spca.bc.ca/news/five-ways-your-dog-shows-you-affection/