Calling all fetch fanatics and fetch lovers!! Did you know that there is a National Holiday for Fetch?! That's right! Created in 2018 by the #1 active dog toy brand Chuckit!, National Fetch Day falls on the 3rd Saturday in October every year. This year, National Fetch Day is October 19, 2024, and it's going to be the Best Dog Party of the Year!
Established in 2018 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original Chuckit! Launcher, National Fetch Day has quickly become a popular national holiday for dogs and their owners. "This special day is a celebration of the human-animal bond, an opportunity to bring awareness to the importance of exercise for our pets, and how the game of fetch offers both," says Chris Wilson, Executive VP of Marketing & Product Development at Petmate, Chuckit!'s parent company. "It's the day to get outside and Make Fetch Happen."
THE SCIENCE OF FETCH
WHY DOGS FETCH: Most dogs are born with an instinct to retrieve or fetch. According to a study done by Stockholm University in June 2020, "some gray wolves – the ancestors of dogs – also "play" fetch. The work supports the idea that the roots of many of the traits and behaviors we see in domesticated animals, from cats to chickens, may be present in their wild relatives." Before domestication, dogs were wild animals that hunted in packs and had to chase and fetch their prey to eat. After domestication, dogs no longer needed to hunt for their food because their humans provided it for them. However, through the years, the fetching instinct has lived on and has been passed down from generation to generation to our canine companions today. While fetch comes easily to some breeds like Labrador Retrievers, others may engage this instinct in less obvious ways. Learning your dog's style of fetch will help you and your dog develop a strong, lasting bond. Through fetch, memories are made, energy is released, and both you and your pet get some exercise.
BENEFITS OF FETCH: Playing fetch with your dog helps release pent-up energy your dog may have, especially if you have a puppy. Fetch can also help your dog sleep better at night and is a good source of exercise. It is recommended that dogs are physically active for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours a day. Without physical exercise, your dog could quickly gain weight or become obese. Playing one 30-minute game of fetch a day with your dog will help prevent this from happening. Besides being physically healthy, fetch is also mentally healthy for your dog as it encourages your dog to destress, relax, and play. Increased activity can also decrease destructive behaviors, and leads to happier, more content pets.
RESULTS OF FETCH: As a dog mom, or dog dad, it's important to make sure you're giving your dog a happy and healthy lifestyle. One simple game of fetch gets you and your dog some exercise, helps your dog engage and release their instinct to chase, and helps strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Overall, fetch is more than just a game. The memories created and the time spent with your dog are a reward.
BEST TOYS FOR NATIONAL FETCH DAY 2024
There are many styles of fetch we see in different dogs/breeds. Some dogs like to simply fetch and bring the toy back to you for you to throw over and over again. Some like to fetch and then bring it back to you for a game of tug-of-war. Others like to fetch and then run off and chew on the toy before bringing it back to you. No matter what your pet's fetch style is, Chuckit! has a fetch toy for your dog.
To celebrate National Fetch Day 2024, Chuckit! has launched new fetch toys to help Make Fetch Happen.
The New Chuckit! Fetch & Fold Launcher (shown below) is an updated original Chuckit! Launcher that folds in half when you're done playing fetch for the day. For pet parents, it can easily be stored in a backpack, purse, or back pocket. It even comes with a durable rubber ball and is perfect for a classic game of fetch.
If you've got a dog that likes to chase after the toy, then brings it back and turns a game of fetch into a game of tug-o-war, then the Chuckit! Air Bumper (shown below) is the toy for your dog. This fetch toy helps your dog breathe easier during fetch with mesh-like openings that let air flow through the toy and into your dog's mouth as he fetches it. The strong, nylon straps on both ends of the toy hold up to games of tug and are perfect for your tug-loving canine.
The new Chuckit! Ultra Tumbler (shown below) is an exciting fetch toy that fits in a medium or large Chuckit! Launcher and bounces in a wild, erratic path when thrown. This feature mimics real prey that runs in zig-zag patterns as they try to avoid being hunted, which really engages your dogs natural instinct to fetch prey. Once caught, the natural rubber is gentle on your dogs mouth as they chew down on the ball.
For late-night or early-morning fetch lovers, Chuckit!'s Max Glow Fetch Ball (shown below) is a great fetch ball for you! Perfect for playing in the dark, this light-up ball fits medium Chuckit! It launches and lights up bright blue and red upon impact, making it visible for your dog to chase after. The unique shape has an erratic bounce, engaging those chase drives, and providing tons of fun when the lights go out.
For more information about this challenge, National Fetch Day, and everything else Chuckit! is doing for National Fetch Day, visit petmate.com/nationalfetchday.
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