Ever wondered what your pet is thinking or feeling? Turns out you're not the only one, with a 5,000% global increase in Google searches for "What is my dog thinking when he stares at me" in the last 30 days. And apparently Tarot readings for your canine companion are a thing.

With this in mind, the experts at online psychic chat company Psychic World have pulled together a guide on how to carry out a tarot reading for your pet, to help pet owners emotionally connect and better understand their pets.

Expert guide to performing a tarot reading on your pet:

Set the scene for your pet

Before you initiate the tarot reading, it is crucial to create a calm and welcoming environment, such as choosing a space where your pet feels relaxed. This could be in their bed if they have an anxious personality, or outside if that's where they're happiest. It might be a good idea to light a candle to connect with the universe and play calming music for pets.

Professional Astrologer Antonella says: "Animals may not speak our language, but they have a tendency to communicate on an energetic level, and tarot readings provide a unique way to tune into this frequency in a powerful way." 

2. Choose a Pet-Friendly Deck

Although it is recommended, technically you don't need a special 'animal' tarot deck, however, you should opt for one with clear imagery that can help you interpret cards in relation to your pets behavior.

Professional Astrologer Antonella says: "If you are new to tarot reading, it might be worth consulting an experienced psychic reader to enhance and tailor the experience to address the queries of the pet owner. The professional will then pull the most appropriate cards for your reading and explain what each card means."

3. Connect with your pet's energy

Before shuffling the cards, ensure you take a moment to tune into your pet's energy and emotion. Sitting quietly with them, petting them or giving them a treat to put them at ease and attempt to form an emotional connection with them.

4. Ask a Question

Decide what you would most like to learn about your pet, some suggestions could be

• Does my pet have any past trauma from previous owners?
• What is the reason for my dog's anxiety?
• How can I strengthen my bond with my pet?
• Is there something I'm missing about my pet's behaviour?
• If my pet could talk, what would they say to me right now?

Antonella says: "You might already have decided which questions to ask at the reading, or some questions may have come to you during the reading. Whatever the case, be sure to ask them, as psychics love it when you can help give the reading a direction. Remember that no one knows their pet better than the owner, so make sure to make the most of the tarot reading."

5. Shuffle and draw the cards

Shuffle the cards while focusing on your question. Attempt to let your pet nudge or paw at the cards, as you might be surprised to hear that some pets do connect with the tarot reading experience! If this fails, draw one to three cards yourself. 

Antonella says:  Don't lose faith and keep in mind that it is rare that you will receive every answer you seek in your first reading and sometimes an answer may not make sense, but this is completely normal, as long term insights tend to be the result of repeated pet readings.

6. Interpret the cards from your pets point of view

Look at each card's imagery and meaning, but interpret it through your pet's behavior and personality. For example The Tower card could represent triggered anxiety from a sudden change in routine, or The Sun card could indicate happiness and good health. If a Knight appears in your pet's reading, you could notice a new sense of territorial nature arriving which could stem from jealousy. Your pet will mark their territory more thoroughly and defend it more aggressively.

7. End the reading with gratitude

End the session with a moment of appreciation to the cards, the universe, the tarot reader and of course your pet. Give them a treat or a cuddle to reinforce the energy of the experience.

Antonella recommends: "If you plan to carry out multiple tarot readings for your pet, you may want to note down each experience in a journal, which can be a valuable reference point for future reflection and sessions."

8. Observe your pets behaviour

Pay close attention to how your pet behaves during and after the reading. Are they more affectionate or do they seem calmer? This could mean they feel more emotionally bonded to you and could consolidate the learnings from the tarot reading.

Antonella says: "Your pet communicates in subtle ways, whether it's a glance, a stretch or a sigh. As you read the cards, pay close attention to their behaviour, as their response might be the key to unlocking what the tarot is truly trying to say."

We didn't have a pack of Tarot cards to try this out. But with a wet and windy weekend forecast, this could be fun to try!

Thanks to Psychic World for sending in the article.