Dog-friendly Christmas Time!
The holiday season is as exciting for your dogs as it is for you! With lots of colours and lights around the house alongside the aroma of freshly baked Christmas dishes, your canine is quite intrigued to find out what the excitement around him is!
While this is exciting to some, it can be overwhelming to a few. Therefore to support your dog in adapting to the Christmas festivities, it is essential that you prepare your dog for all the changes during the month of December. This can be everything from Christmas-flavoured treats to loud Christmas music, to guest coming in and also the possibility of missing meals.
Gift-giving can be a crucial part of Christmas. However, your dog may understand this as overcrowded rooms or messy corners. This can also be a trigger for stress causing your dog anxiety. Therefore to understand how the influx of guests and changes in routine can affect your dog, Petbites have created a stress-free guide to help you prepare your dog for the Christmas festivities. From gift-giving to festive meals, we are here to support you! Read along to find out more about this!
1. Creating a Safe Space for Your Dog
Your dog must always have a space to feel free and move around like they always do. Give them the space to play with their toys. If you think that their dog toys, mats, and other accessories do not match your Christmas interiors, you can always choose to replace them with seasonal colours. Try designating a quiet zone just for your dog. Make sure that this zone is cosy and safe for your dog to run to every time they feel overwhelmed. Include essentials such as cushions, a bed, their favourite toys, water and snacks. Keep your dog cosy at all times and watch them interact with your guests too!
2. Socializing Your Dog Before the Holidays
If you think your dog has always been an introvert, we suggest that you start early before your Christmas plans to socialize with your dog. Try and get your dog comfortable with guests. Practice simple interactions such as a pat on the head or strokes on the back. Stacked with smaller groups of two to three people of known faces. These people can be individuals that you meet every day surrounding you like your neighbours. You can also encourage these friendly individuals to feed your pet with treats that you think are safe. Do not forget to introduce your dog to new sins and sounds in advance to reduce any sort of anxiety. Christmas-related smells like cinnamon, roasted chicken, gingerbread, scented candles, and fresh pines are a few examples of strong smells revolving around Christmas. You can also play Christmas music at your home as people communicate with each other.
3. Managing Diet and Treats During Gatherings
Regardless of the holidays, we suggest that you keep e-dogs diet and treats consistent. Make a list of food items that must be avoided for your dog. Instead, you can consider festive, dog-safe treats to include within your dog’s diet. To avoid anxiety, we suggest that you introduce this to your dog beforehand to avoid any overwhelming behaviours. As a creative and thoughtful gesture to include your little canine pal in your Christmas activities, we suggest you leave a bowl of dog treats for your guests to feed your dog. This can be quite an exciting adventure for them. Ensure that your guests are friendly and your dog is comfortable with it!
4. Setting Ground Rules for Guests
Being a dog owner is challenging during the festive times! You may have to set basic ground rules for your guests when interacting with your pet dog. Educate them on how to interact with your pet. Be open about what your pet lights and what may trigger anxiety. Make a list of practices or activities that your guests must avoid around your dog. This may trigger episodes of anxiety, making a dog nervous, or simply getting them too excited for the event. Understand how children can play with your dog in their safe zone. At all times, make sure that your dog is watched as you mingle with your friends.
5. Exercise and Playtime for Stress Relief
No matter how busy you are with the Christmas preparations, we suggest that you take your dog out for a walk every now and then. Exercise and playtime are mandatory for your dog to help with stress relief and anxiety. These are practices we suggest that you continue before and after Christmas. Physical activity is a better alternative than medicine to keeping your dog calm during stressful times. Pre-gathering exercises a crucial fear dog helping them burn off excess energy. Help them remain calm during your Christmas gatherings and take everything casually. You can also use interactive play, interactive toys or the favourite dog bone to keep them occupied during festivities.
6. Preparing for Unexpected Situations
No matter how prepared you are during the festive season, we suggest that you always expect the unexpected. Prepare a separate emergency kit for all your pet-related challenges. From allergies to the simple flu, your dog must be given the attention they deserve. You can put together a holiday pet first aid kit. Include the essentials such as gauze, tweezers, antibiotic ointment, thermometer, gloves, blunt scissors, hydrogen peroxide, allergy medicines and more. In case of a tragic accident to you or your guests, we suggest that you train your dog to reach out to the nearest exit so they can call for help or alert anyone who can be supportive. We also suggest that you manage the possibility of escapes when doors are open wide for your Christmas gatherings.
Deck the Halls with Bells from Doggies
Embrace Christmas beautifully with your pet dog cold stop let them be a part of all the festive activities you have planned with your guests and your family. Dress them up with a simple Santa hat or a Christmas bow to keep them in the theme and also make them feel special. Give them treats that they love and add a festive touch to them. No matter what you choose to do, make sure your decisions are dog-safe.
If you are a dog owner looking for ways to ensure a happy holiday for both your pet and your friends, we suggest that you plan ahead. Make necessary lists and brief your guests on the basic tips to keep your dog happy! Remember to keep a safe spot for your dog so that they can rest or take breaks whenever needed.
If you are a guest walking into a dog owner's Christmas party, we suggest that you consider gifting them a Christmas gift reflecting their interests as a dog owner. You can consider gifting them a Christmas dog hamper filled with dog treats, dog toys and also other accessories. This can be a thoughtful gesture in the eyes of a dog parent. During festive times, your host would appreciate your kindness in considering their dog important!
At PetBites Australia, we have a delightful range of Christmas hampers for dogs. We specialize in dog treats, dog toys, dog accessories and dog hampers ensuring an easier life for dog parents. Visit us today and explore the beautiful options we have for you.
Shop now and find the perfect dog Christmas hamper for your dogs!
