For most people, pets are not just animals - they're companions, friends, confidantes and, ultimately, part of the family. From letting them sit on the couch with us or sleep in our beds to spilling our hearts out to their ever-eager ears, there are so many reasons to treat pets like the family members that they truly are.
Most pets offer a lot to their owners, often bringing health benefits and companionship - they can also help to make you more sociable, and according to a study carried out at Emory University in Atlanta your faithful pet can even assist your love life by helping you get a date. After all the support that they offer, it only seems fair to show our pets how much they mean to us by spending extra time with them or upgrading their food from time to time.
But we don't need to convince you of that... research has shown that over 90% of pet owners already think that pets should be treated like family. Although high, this certainly isn't a surprising statistic: the bonds that are formed between animals and the humans who look after them are some of the strongest there are. They may not share our language, but a lot of people feel like their pets really can communicate with them, and going above and beyond in the care that we offer them only helps to make this bond stronger.
So what can you do when you want to say thank you to your pets? There are loads of great options for treating your pets, from marking a special occasion such as Christmas with a new toy or some special treats to taking them out to be groomed or styled. It can also be as simple as spending some quality time with them - bask in the sun with your rabbits or let your kitten join you for the latest episode of Game of Thrones!
At the end of the day, your pet can be one of most loyal friends you ever have, and giving them the care and attention that you'd give to a parent, sibling or child benefits everyone. Keep loving your pets, and they'll just keep loving you!