How to Have a Mindful Moment with your Pet

Any of my clients could tell you how much I love my cats, and how often the tend to peek their heads onto the screen when I’m having video session. My clients can also probably tell you how encouraging I can be with the idea of using our pets to help with our mental health and self-care.

I’m going to share with you some things you can do to help ground yourself in the moment with the help of your furry (or scaly or winged) friend.

1) Take a moment to appreciate them

Sit or lay somewhere comfortable, and bring your pet with you or encourage them to sit with you if you can. We don’t want to force them as that may cause distress for them, and will likely not be grounding or relaxing for you (and no one wants cat scratches!). Once you’re settled take a moment to be with them and appreciate what they do for you: if they keep you company, or snuggle when you’re sad, or even just add a helpful presence to your home.

2) Ground yourself with touch

If your pet will let you, take a moment to pet them and notice how their fur, scales or feathers feel. Are they soft? Are the coarse? Do they feel warm or cool? Can you feel their heart beat? If they are purring can you feel the rumble under your hand? If they lick you, is their tongue scratchy, or wet? Let yourself focus on whatever you feel under your hand, and just let yourself notice and enjoy it.

3) Ground yourself with sound

Focus in on anything you can hear while sitting with your pet. Are they purring, or panting, or chirping or even chewing on something? Is it loud or soft? Are there any sounds that are so soft you might have missed them if you weren’t looking for them? What if you put your head down closer to their chest - can you hear anything different now? What does it sound like as you give them a gentle pat? Maybe you want to gently speak to them, to encourage their sounds or reactions. Focus all your attention in on these sounds, and if you’d like you can combine this with some of the other ideas we’ve covered too.

4) Remember your favourite moment

Close your eyes and just focus on your breathing while thinking back to your favourite moment with your pet. Was it when you first got them? The last time they cuddled with you? An adventure you went on with them? Take a moment and just visualize that moment for yourself and let yourself sit in the positive feelings that come up from it. Maybe you’re reading this as someone who has lost their pet, and if so I want to let you know this is still something you can do. It might hurt at first, but the grieving process also holds space for us to focus on our favourite memories from the past - even if your friend isn’t here now, you can still hold on to their memory and let yourself sit in those warm and connected feelings, even if they feel bittersweet.

5) Play with them with their favourite toys

If your pet has a favourite toy, bring it with you and take some time to play with your pet. Focus in all your senses on what it’s like to share that moment of joy with them. What are you noticing about your emotions? How does your body feel? What are you hearing, seeing, smelling? Give yourself permission to take these five minutes out of your day just to focus on you, your pet, and that connection you have while joyfully playing.

These are just some of the ideas you could try to take a mindful moment with your pet, and I’m sure there are many more. Remember when things feel overwhelming or difficult though that your friend is there for you, and that you can tune in to your connection with them to help you ground yourself in the moment. You’ve been there for them, and now it’s their chance to be there for you.

About the Author

Katherine Hall, MSW RSW, is a Registered Social Worker at the Growth and Wellness Therapy Centre focused on trauma and suicidality