November is the month when we stop and give thanks. It’s a month filled with gratitude. While many of us take this time to acknowledge the people in our lives we are thankful for, I think it’s equally important to honor those who walk beside us every single day. Our dogs.
Our dogs offer us a relationship of warmth and connection that’s hard to put into words. They observe our routines, witness our emotions, our growth, and even our struggles, and they are there beside us throughout. Amazingly, they don’t ask for much in return and are happiest in our presence, by our side, receiving our love.
So this month, I want to explore both the science and the heart behind gratitude, and offer simple, meaningful ways to thank your dog for all they bring into your life.
Dogs Really Do Make Us Happier (And Science Agrees)
If you’ve ever felt your shoulders relax or a smile spread across your face when your dog curls up next to you or greets you at the door, you’re not alone. Studies show that dog owners report higher levels of happiness, experience lower stress, and have better overall well-being.1 In fact, just petting a dog can increase a person’s serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that help one feel calm and connected.2
Dogs also bring structure and purpose to our days. They are part of our routine, and that routine is part of what gets us out of bed in the morning (ever tried sleeping in late when Fido is hungry?) Our dogs gently remind us to move our bodies, even if it’s just for a short walk to get them to go potty. Those moments get us outside in the fresh air, which requires us to step away from the day's grind and be present. Our dogs also remind us that we are worthy of unconditional love, and that we are not alone, two things that can be difficult for some, especially around the holiday Season.
These are all things we can be profoundly grateful for, and they highlight just how much our dogs contribute to our emotional and physical well-being. With that in mind, here are some intentional ways to thank your dog for all they bring into your life.
Ways to Thank Your Dog This Gratitude Month
1. Give Them the Gift of Your Presence
Your dog doesn’t need grand gestures, new toys or anything fancy. They just need you. We are their whole world and our presence is the only present they need. So take a few minutes at the end (or middle, or whenever works for you) of your day and do the following:
- Sit on the floor with them for five quiet minutes.
- Allow them to rest on your lap or your legs and pet their beautiful coat of fur.
- Take a walk without your phone and let them set the pace. Let them sniff about and don’t worry if the straight line you meant to walk in, looks more like a zig-zag!
2. Celebrate Their Natural Instincts
Dogs are relatively easy beings. They just want to be themselves. So let them!
- Provide safe chew options or appropriate raw meaty bones if it aligns with your feeding philosophy.
- Hide treats around the house or backyard (only if it’s fenced in and safe, of course) and let them “sniff out their food” (aka treats.)
- Take them in the woods on a long line and let them run ahead, exploring at their tempo.
3. Support Their Mental and Emotional Health
We know that mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, and if it’s too cold for a hike or your day is too hectic, try something new! They say a stimulated mind is a balanced mind; this goes not only for humans, but also for our dogs, too.
- Offer their dinner in a food puzzle.
- Teach a new trick or reinforce an old one. That old saying, “you can’t teach a dog a new trick,” is a myth. In fact, my 11-year-old puppy (yes, she still acts like one) learned in one day a new trick pose (and it’s adorable!)
- Offer short moments of play, think 3-minute bursts throughout the day, when least expected.
4. Establish a Small Gratitude Ritual Together
The sky is the limit here. And the key to this is remembering that dogs are energy beings. They don’t communicate verbally; instead, they communicate via energy. This is how they know when we are sad or happy, or know to lie low when we are angry. Keeping that in mind, you can daily (or weekly) integrate simple things like:
- A “special breakfast” of an over-easy egg, separate from their bowl every Sunday.
- Quiet time on the couch before bed, no TV, no phone, just you and your pup.
- A gratitude moment on your morning walk, where you reflect on one thing your dog brought to your life that day, and you bend down and kiss them to honor them for it.
5. Nourish Them with Food That Honors Their Biology
One of the most meaningful ways to thank your dog is by feeding them in a way that supports their physiology and keeps them in their best possible state of health. This doesn’t mean you have to wholly change what you are feeding them. But small changes can lead to big results. Some simple modifications you can make include:
- Choose diets rich in moisture, protein, and whole-food ingredients.
- Add diversity in the form of rotating proteins or nutrient-dense toppers.
- Consider functional supplements when appropriate: gut health, joint support, or immune-supportive blends.
- Choose treats that are aligned with their functional carnivorous ways that are single-ingredient (when possible) and sourced from animal protein.
Be Grateful, because Gratitude Changes Both of You
Our dogs love us unconditionally and show us this by choosing to stay close to us (that’s why no matter what room you go into, it seems like your dog can sometimes be your shadow!) Our dogs are deeply loyal, without condition. And the best way to honor them and the bond you have with them is to thank them, their way.
This Gratitude Month, I hope you pause not just to feel thankful for your dog and the life you have together, but to show it. Your dog will notice, because they notice everything, don’t they?
Johnna Devereaux is a Clinical Pet Nutritionist, canine wellness expert and Chief Nutrition Officer for Bow Wow Labs.
* This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon or perceived as specific medical or veterinary advice.
**The points of view expressed above are those of our clinical nutritionist and are supported by science, her education and experience. We are committed to providing the best, most straightforward, and most helpful information possible to help keep your dog happy, healthy and safe.
References:
1. Why Dogs Make You Happy | Psychology Today. Accessed November 20, 2025. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-path-to-passionate-happiness/201809/why-dogs-make-you-happy
2. https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/09/20/why-dogs-help-boost-your-mood-and-overall-health. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed November 20, 2025. https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2024/09/20/why-dogs-help-boost-your-mood-and-overall-health
