Skip to main content

Follow Me

25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog: How to Include Your Pup in the Holiday Fun

25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog Countdown

25 Days of Christmas with Your Dog: How to Include Your Pup in the Holiday Fun

Welcome to the Paws & Claus Countdown! It’s the most wonderful time of the year — twinkling lights, cozy nights, and cinnamon-sweet kitchens. But for our dogs, the holidays can be confusing, overstimulating, orn hazardous if we aren’t careful. This series helps you make every day from now until Christmas safe, calm, and joy-filled for your dog.

🎁 Why Dogs Deserve a Spot in Your Holiday Plans

Dogs thrive on routine and connection. The holidays bring new sights, sounds, and smells that can unsettle them — but they also bring opportunities to strengthen your bond. Including your dog in celebrations reduces anxiety, encourages good behavior, and keeps them feeling loved amid the chaos.

  • They rely on routine – even small schedule changes can trigger anxiety or digestive upset.
  • They sense your emotions – your stress can amplify theirs.
  • Holiday hazards are everywhere – tinsel, chocolate, and candles all pose risks.
  • Inclusion builds confidence – a calm, engaged dog behaves better with guests and kids.

🎄 What This Series Covers

Each day we’ll explore one seasonal topic — from safe foods to share, to calming routines, to gift ideas for Christmas morning.

  • Days 1–7: Preparing for decorations and household changes
  • Days 8–14: Holiday foods and nutrition
  • Days 15–21: Guests, routines, and travel
  • Days 22–25: Gifts, calm celebrations, and Christmas Day fun

🐾 Setting the Stage for a Stress-Free Season

1. Revisit Your Routine

Start adjusting walk or meal times now so December changes feel natural. Predictability builds trust and prevents nervous energy.

2. Pet-Proof Your Decorations

Skip tinsel and fragile ornaments, cover cords, and secure the tree if you have a curious pup. Preservatives in Pet Food reminds us that small details can have big effects — and that applies to décor hazards too!

3. Mind the Holiday Scents

Avoid strong essential oils or candles with pine, peppermint, or cinnamon oils. Dogs’ noses are incredibly sensitive.

4. Plan for Guests

Designate a quiet space with a bed, toys, and water where your dog can decompress. If they get anxious, try the enrichment ideas in Slow It Down: Easy, Cheap Hacks to Stop Scarf-and-Barf.

5. Make a Safe Food List

Create “Yes” and “No” lists for family and guests. Safe options: turkey breast, plain potatoes, pumpkin, carrots. Avoid grapes, chocolate, onions, cooked bones, and xylitol. Learn more in Pulse Diets in Dogs and Winter Effects on Your Dog’s Weight.

✨ Create New Traditions Together

  • Hang a small stocking for your dog.
  • Bake homemade peanut-butter biscuits in festive shapes.
  • Include your pup in your family photo or matching pajamas shoot.
  • Let them open one present (supervised) on Christmas morning.

🧭 Safety First

Keep emergency numbers handy: your vet, nearest 24-hour clinic, and the Pet Poison Helpline (1-855-764-7661). Preparation ensures peace of mind for the whole family.

📅 Coming Tomorrow

Day 2: Decor Safety 101 — Avoiding Hidden Hazards in Your Holiday Home
We’ll explore how to dog-proof your décor without losing your Christmas sparkle.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Winter Effects on Your Dog’s Weight

Winter Effects on Your Dog’s Weight: Why It Happens and How to Help Winter can be a challenging season for dogs — from icy walks to long, lazy days indoors. But did you know that cold weather can also affect your dog’s weight? When the snow starts to fall and temperatures drop, many of us notice changes in our dogs — from lower energy to dry skin. One change that can sneak up on pet parents is weight fluctuation . Dogs may gain or lose weight in the winter depending on their activity level, metabolism, and environment. Understanding these seasonal shifts can help you keep your pup at a healthy weight year-round. A brisk winter walk can help your dog maintain a healthy weight. 🐾 Why Dogs May Gain Weight in Winter Less activity: Cold weather and shorter days often mean fewer walks, shorter playtimes, and less overall movement. Extra calories: Many owners add “comfort foods” or extra treats during the holidays, leading to calorie overload. Indoor l...
6 comments
Read more

Treats That Should Be Marketed for Both Dogs and Cats

Treats That Should Be Marketed for Both Dogs and Cats Because good ingredients don’t need a species label. We live in a world where dogs steal cat treats and cats nibble on dog jerky—and the truth is, many treats don’t need to be separated by species at all. Especially in multi-pet homes, the overlap in healthy, species-appropriate ingredients is huge. So why are treats marketed so differently? Why the Divide Exists Short answer: marketing and money. The pet industry thrives on duplication—more labels, more packaging, more sales. But if you read the back of a high-quality single-ingredient cat treat and compare it to a dog treat… they’re often identical. Dogs are scavenging carnivores, cats are obligate carnivores, and both benefit from meat-first, low-carb, additive-free snacks. Treats That Are Perfect for Both Dogs and Cats 🐟 Freeze-Dried Fish (Salmon, Minnow, Whitefish) Why it works: High in Omega-3s, supports joint and coat health, and irresistible to both speci...
7 comments
Read more

Cultivated Meat & Pet Food Innovation in 2025

Next-Gen Pet Food: Cultivated Meat and Feeding Innovations in 2025 If 2025 proved anything, it’s that the future of pet food is already here. Beyond fresh meals and functional chews, the year brought bold innovations — including the world’s first retail launch of cultivated meat for pets. These breakthroughs aren’t just about novelty; they’re reshaping how we think about sustainability, animal welfare, and the way we feed our companions. Meatly: Cultivated Meat Arrives The star innovation of the year came from Meatly , the first company to bring cultivated meat into the pet food aisle. Teaming up with UK-based brand THE PACK and available at Pets at Home Brentford, Meatly introduced the world’s first retail-ready cultivated chicken ingredient in pet food. Cultivated meat, sometimes called “lab-grown meat,” is produced by taking a small sample of animal cells and growing them in a nutrient-rich environment. The result? Real animal protein without the need to raise and slaught...
6 comments
Read more