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Christmas is a time that we like to spend with our nearest and dearest. We make the time to meet up with relatives who we might not have had a chance to see throughout the rest of the year. We make the effort to meet up with colleagues outside of the working environment and celebrate with them at a meal or for drinks in a more casual setting. We head to Christmas markets, watch Christmas films on the television, and cook up a festive storm in the kitchen with our friends. But it’s important to remember to incorporate one of your most loyal and loving companions into your plans – your dog deserves love around this time of year too! Here are just a few different steps that you can take to keep your pooch’s tail wagging right into the new year!
Take Them Away With You
If you’re planning on heading away to celebrate on the 25th, you don’t necessarily have to leave your pooch at home. Sure, if you’re going on a beach holiday and will be spending your days in the searing heat with a cocktail by the pool, you might want to arrange for your four legged friend to be placed in high quality kennels or boarding, or you might want to leave them under the charge of your loved ones at home. But if you’re simply heading to someone’s house a little further afield and your dog is welcome, why not take them along with you? There are plenty of pet friendly airports and pet friendly airlines out there that are more than happy to accommodate your dog and transport them from A to B in a safe and convenient manner. This can help to significantly prevent and reduce separation anxiety that many pets experience while their owner is away.
Invest in an Advent Calendar
Sure, we’re already part way into the month, but it’s never too late to pick up an advent calendar for your pooch, or to make one by yourself! Just start from today’s date instead of overindulging them with a backlog of treats. Just make sure that it is a specialist advent calendar filled with treats for dogs. Dogs cannot eat chocolate and other human foods, so it’s generally best to choose options that have specialist pet treats, snacks, and foods incorporated into their design instead. They’ll have a little something to look forward to on a daily basis and will quickly get into the routine of waiting for their calendar to be opened and their treat handed to them.
Get Them a Gift
Sure, you don’t have to get your pet a gift in the same way that you might a child. But why not keep the Christmas spirit alive and wrap them a little something up to be left under the tree this year. Whether this is a new toy, something that they can eat, or a new harness and lead set, many pets will actively enjoy ripping into the paper and pulling out something that is clearly for them. Just make sure they know which gifts are theirs and which they should leave alone by encouragement or stern “no”s.
Whip Them Up a Special Christmas Dinner
We have a special meal on Christmas, so give your dog a little variation on their usual meal too! There are Christmas themed tinned dog foods and dog food in pouches that incorporate festive flavours such as turkey and cranberries. Alternatively, you could put a little of your Christmas dinner turkey and other vegetables aside for them in their bowl. Pour a little gravy on top for an extra special treat that they are bound to wolf down. Just make sure to check that your dog can eat anything that you decide to offer them. Particular foods and ingredients can prove toxic for dogs or can make them sick. Foods to avoid giving your pooch include:
- Raisins (so no Christmas puddings or mince pies)
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Garlic
- Chive (remember that certain cheese contain chive)
- Bones (despite what cartoons and stereotypes might say)
- Salt and salty snacks
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
An Extra Long Christmas Walk
Many of us attempt to minimise walking our dogs in the winter months, as the weather takes a turn for the worse and temperatures drop. But it’s extremely important that you still walk your dog as much as you would at any other time of year. Consider taking them on an extra long walk on Christmas morning or following Christmas dinner. This gives you time to bond with your dog and chat with any family members or friends you are spending the day with. It’s a good idea all round for everyone involved!
Sure, there will always be skeptics out there who say that dogs don’t know that it is Christmas time and we shouldn’t be wasting time and effort in treating them. But at the end of the day, they’re family members, and should be just as involved in fun and celebrations as anyone else in our household! So, reward them for their good behaviour throughout the year and get them involved! Hopefully, the above information and suggestions can get the ball rolling in the right direction!
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