How to Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival With Your Pet

The Mid-Autumn Festival is almost upon us, and as with all holidays, we want to show you how you can celebrate it with your pets! Also known as the Moon Festival, this is a time for family, reunions, and giving thanks – all the things Fido and Felix can be a part of.

Before we dive in, a quick reminder of this festival’s origins. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a 3000-year old Chinese celebration that’s observed in many Asian countries, as well as by New Zealand’s Chinese community. It’s a biggie, considered second in importance only to Chinese New Year.

It’s a celebration of the rice harvest and many fruits, derived from the Chinese custom of worshipping the moon in autumn to thank it for the harvest. Like Thanksgiving in the US, it’s a time for families to reunite in thanks and unity.

Here are some fun ways you can commemorate it with your pet.

Enjoy a reunion dinner

As mentioned, this festival is all about gathering as a family, giving thanks, and praying for good health and happiness. If a big family dinner is on the cards why not include your pets, too?

There are plenty of scrumptious dinners you can cook for them so they’re part of the action. Our piece on Christmas dinners for dogs and cats has some great celebratory meal ideas that are safe for your pet. Always be sure to avoid any toxic food or things that can poison your pet. You’d be surprised how many foods and household items are actually quite harmful for pets.

Appreciate the full moon this Mid-Autumn Festival

The Moon Festival is, of course, very much about the moon! The full moon is a symbol of family reunions in Chinese culture and some say the moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival is the brightest and the most beautiful.

If the weather allows, set a table outside and dine under the stars with moon cakes, snacks, fruits, and a pair of candles.  According to Chinese tradition, a fairy maiden named Chang’e lives on the moon with a cute rabbit. Some believe that by worshiping the moon, Chang’e may fulfill their wishes.

So how can you appreciate the moon with your pet? Surprise your doggo or cat by taking them for a moon-lit walk. We’re sure they’ll love this unexpected outing. Or, perhaps indulge in some dog friendly camping this weekend?

You can also keep it simple, and park out under the big old sky with your pet friend to bask in the beauty.

Make pet-friendly mooncakes

Of course, no Mid-Autumn Festival is complete without indulging in the traditional moon cake. Moon cakes are typically made using butter or vegetable oil, red bean or lotus seed paste, and because of their high fat and sugar content aren’t good for your pets.

But don’t despair! There are some awesome pet-friendly versions you can make. Check out this sweet potato-based moon cake recipe for dogs:

This recipe from Pets Magazine can be enjoyed by both dogs and cats:

Ingredients and supplies

• 1 potato (or sweet potato or beetroot)
• Natural colouring (optional)
• Dog or cat dry or wet food
• Mooncake mould and potato masher

Make mooncake base

• Boil water in a medium-sized pot
• Peel and chop ingredients into 3cm chunks
• Boil ingredients and mash separately to avoid mixing colours
• Add natural colouring to mash for a festive feel (optional)

Prepare mooncake filling

• Choose from any or a combination of the following fillings:
  – Dry food, for instance kibble or treats
  – Wet food, packaged or home-cooked

Put mooncake together

• Roll dough into ball
• Flatten into pancake
• Scoop mooncake fillings on
• Roll it all up
• Press into mooncake mould
• Release moon cake from mould before serving

Insure your fur kid this Mid-Autumn Festival

For many of us, our pets are family. A good way to keep them protected and healthy is a pet insurance plan by PD Insurance NZ. We’re an award winning insurance brand that offers value-rich, month-to-month coverage for dogs and cats.

Because you never know when they may swallow a turkey bone or gobble up a grape. Or fall ill from any manner health issues. Either way, we’ll be there to help pay the bills. The last thing you want is to spend the Moon Festival worrying about vet bills instead of your pet. Get a quote today.