Dogs & Christmas
How to keep the festive period joyful and safe for everyone!
Christmas is a time of sparkle, laughter, and togetherness. For many of us, that includes our dogs—those loyal companions who bring joy all year round. But while the festive season is magical, it can also be overwhelming or even risky for our four-legged friends. With a little planning, you can make sure your dog enjoys the holidays as much as you do.
The Magic of Inclusion
Dogs thrive when they feel part of the family celebrations, but care needs to be taken that they do not get overwhelmed by the additional noise, different routines, or the additions of extra lights, furniture moving around and a tree appearing in the lounge?! Try:
Giving them a safe spot to retreat to in a quiet place that is exclusively for them. They can go here when things get a bit busy, and by providing extra special treats such as chews, snuffle mats or stuffed enrichment toys they can watch the fun without feeling crowded.
Promote respect from visitors. Sometimes the extra influx of people can be overwhelming for dogs, so guide visitors to leave the dog alone unless they come to them for attention. Use positive reinforcement when meeting new people, such as involving visitors in a game, or for them to provide the dog with a tasty treat.
Use backup! Pheromone diffusers/sprays or collars such as Adaptil or Pet Remedy provide reassurance in the form of scent therapy and can be used to help calm and reassure dogs in times of stress.
It can be fun to include them in traditions—like a special Christmas morning walk, a dog-friendly stocking or some special play time.
If possible, try and retain some routine, such as walks and meals at the same time to help dogs feel secure.
Safe Festive Treats
It’s tempting to share holiday food, but many Christmas favourites (like chocolate, mince pies, grapes, and rich meats) can be harmful to dogs. Instead:
Offer dog-safe festive treats or bake simple biscuits with peanut butter and oats. These can be great activities for families to do together and can make the dogs part of the Christmas festivities without any pressure.
Wrap up a new toy or chew as their “present”—they’ll love the excitement of unwrapping too! To step it up, lots of little treats can be wrapped and then hidden around the house or within one BIG box for the dogs to search for.
Vegetables can make healthy treats for dogs, they will be only too pleased to ‘share’ in the preparation of Christmas dinner veg. Crunchy carrots make great treats and help with dental hygiene too.
Decorations and Dangers
Twinkling lights and ornaments are beautiful, but they can pose hazards:
Keep fragile baubles, tinsel and ornaments out of reach—some dogs find them irresistible and they can pose a serious health risk if eaten, chewed or sharp edges trodden on.
Secure your Christmas tree so an enthusiastic tail wag doesn’t topple it and arrange the decorations so they are out of reach. Sometimes putting a tree on a higher stand can help, and also avoid confusion with male dogs who see no difference in cocking their legs on a tree inside the house… a tree is a tree right??!
Avoid open flames from candles near curious noses, and be aware that strong or synthetic scents can irritating or even toxic to dogs, particularly tea tree, citrus and pine. Certain brands are pet specific, using pet safe ingredients and fragrances.
The Gift of Time
Above all, the best present you can give your dog is your attention. A calm walk, a cuddle by the fire, or a play session in the garden means more to them than any toy. Just a few tweaks to the festivities can ensure everyone has a peaceful time.
