Spending time with our pets can be very therapeutic. Whether watching TV with a dog or cat snuggled beside you on the couch, teasing the cat with a laser pointer, throwing a ball in the yard, or taking a walk to the mailbox, time spent with an animal companion is never a waste.

With so much going on in our lives, we often short-change ourselves those moments, and in doing so, short-change the furry loved ones in our lives. We need to take a little time away from our screens and get back to sharing joy rather than scrolling reels.

Taking a few minutes to prepare food for our pets can be a joy rather than a chore. Sure, dumping a scoop of kibbles into the bowl is quick and easy, and “good enough” to keep a pet going. But crafting a meal that is nutritious, interesting and adds variety io their lives can make a big difference in their health and well-being.

There are many people who spend a lot of time and money on food. I hear “My pet eats better than me,” daily, and it’s never said with any regret. I wish my pets could control my diet the way I control theirs – I’d be in great shape! But I have free will (and little willpower), pocket money and drive-throughs.

Some people question whether pets appreciate the love we add to their meals. I’ve seen photos of some bowls of food that are magazine-worthy, with pieces of whole fish, chunks of organ meat, organic veggies, a duck foot, and some ground meat. Does a dog appreciate the art of that bowl? Probably not. But they know that it was prepared with love, which they do appreciate. While it gets consumed just as fast as a bowl of kibbles, we know that the nutrition packed into a bowl of fresh food is far better than a processed diet.

Are our efforts in making better diet choices wasted time? Definitely not — neither for our diets nor those of our pets. Taking a few minutes to put together a nice meal and then going out for a nice walk could be one of the best parts of your day. If you see another walking duo as you are on your stroll, the dog has a shiny coat, and the walker is carrying a tiny bag of poop, you can bet they also enjoyed a healthy meal before their walk.

Spending time with our pets is not just walks and cuddles. Taking care of their bodies’ nutritional needs is every bit as important as taking care of their exercise and emotional needs. Spending a little extra time on their meals, even if it is just adding some fresh food to their kibble, is never wasted time.