Here's how to keep your holiday season dog and puppy friendly
Christmas can always be quick to become chaos, especially with a mischievous dog around! We'll help your home be overrun with nothing but holiday cheer this season.
We all know how dogs and puppies can be: they want to be part of the fun too, no matter how much chaos it may cause. Adding sparkly lights, decadent food, and many more members of the family can definitely ramp up the opportunities for a fur-raising end to the year. So how can you keep the peace, and have an equally fabulous and relaxed Christmas for everyone involved? We'll help you have the woof-tastic holiday season you've been dreaming of, and keep even the furrier members of the family included in the festive fun.
Here's our first tip for leaving seasonal vet trips off of your bingo card for the year.
Paws off the decorations
It can be so tempting to dress your home up with all the sparkle and festive cheer there is, but Christmas decorations can be the ultimate playground for your doggy friends. Many holiday decorations can be harmful to dogs due to their materials, length, or textures, even if they may seem unassuming at first. Examples of particularly tricky decorations include tinsel, due to it being dangerous if ingested, baubles, due to them being dangerous if broken, and wired lights for both reasons. We all know how much dogs love to cause play, so in our experience, it's best not to risk it if you're not sure. Festive plants, including wreaths and Christmas trees, can be hard to compromise on since they're so iconic for the holidays. However, pine needles and holly berries can be toxic to pups, so can end up making your holidays more funky than fresh. We recommend striking a balance between a holiday-themed and a dog-themed home, by tailoring your decorations for both your fur babies and your space. For example, keep the more delicate and chaos-inducing decorations up high out of your pups reach, or swap toxic materials for dog-safe alternatives. You can also discourage your dogs from eating your ornaments or tree with positive reinforcement or natural methods, such as lining the base with orange peel, as most dogs can't stand the smell of the citrus oils. If they still won't leave your decorations along, learn more about how to best train your puppy here.
Now that your pup has their paws off your decorations, how can you keep their paws off your dinner too?
Food for thought
Your Christmas dinner can be one of the best parts of the season, and we can bet your dog is thinking the same too. With delicious turkey, chicken, roasted veg, and cream puddings, your furry friend is bound to be licking their lips and wagging their tail up a storm for a yummy bite of it all. However, many foods that are mouth-watering for us can be deadly for our pups, no matter how much they want a taste. It's important to keep dogs out of the kitchen and away from holiday feasts, to ensure they don't sneak a bite and throw up festive cheer all over your brand new carpet. Make sure any leftovers are tucked away from thieving paws, and guests know not leave plates unattended, as even dog-safe foods, such as poultry, can cause upset tummies when cooked for humans, or eaten in large quantities. Boxes of holiday sweets and treats can also pose a threat, as chocolate and confectionary can be very toxic for waggy friends, and determined dogs can break into sealed boxes even without opposable thumbs. We recommend keeping festive chocs and sweets in cupboards or out of reach for a puke-free season, and more treats for you. Bring your dog in on the fun and stop them from being tempted, by making them their own delicious Christmas dinner. Check out our article on making your own tasty dog treats, or serve them a bowl of delicious and seasonal Tilly & Ted recipes, such as our festive Chicken Dinner or Turkey Loaf.
The holiday season can be a party and a half, but even the most extroverted need some alone time. Make sure your pup can take time for themselves.
It's my party, I'll hide if I want to
For a lot of people, the holidays can turn into a full party, with family and friends visiting all throughout December. Even the most sociable of dogs like to take time for themselves, so make sure your pup can find some solitude if your home is a busy one this season. Allowing your dog their own quiet space can also help them chill out if they are becoming too overexcited, so having a separate room or space for them is key. Make sure this is a space people will not be coming and going from, and your guests know to let your furry friend have some peace, even if some pets and cuddles are had along the way. Having their own cosy bed, crate, or den that your pup can escape into means you can still enjoy company without worrying about the mental health of your best floofy pal. It can be useful to ensure all guests are aware of your dog and their safe space, so they can be vigilant when opening and shutting doors and no great holiday escape outdoors occurs.
Speaking of parties, with lots of guests comes lots of noise. How can you have fun and keep things quiet for your pup?
The festive period can be a loud one, with fireworks, bells, singing, and dancing all season long. Most dogs can become stressed and scared from loud noises, so if possible, keep the volume lowered to help your pups relax. Make sure guests are aware of your dog's needs, and try to contain noise to certain rooms, so that your pup can escape into a quieter space if needed. If you know you're in for a loud and chaotic one this year, help your dog cope by creating a chill space for them with plenty of cosy spots, yummy food, and toys to play with. We recommend a hearty portion of our Fisherman's Pie, to keep doggys happy and ready to deal with whatever comes their way.
Not every pup can be part of the holidays if their home is not hosting, so don't make your dogs an afterthought this Christmas.
Many of us are driving home for Christmas to be with our friends and families, and our furry pals can't always come. Your dogs are just as much a part of the family, so if they're staying at home, make sure they have everything they need for a wonderful time. Most dogs can be left alone for up to 4-8 hours depending on individual needs, so make sure to either pop back during the day, or be prepared to cut celebrations short to be there for your pup. However, it is essential that they have access to all their resources, and are in a safe space to be independent in. Ensure any dangerous items and rooms are shut away, and everything they need is in familiar and comfortable spots. Keep fresh water topped up, and make sure they have enough food down to last them, such as a big portion of our super yummy Lamb Kebab, or an automatic feeder set up with our Tilly & Ted Roast Dinner to have their tail wagging every mealtime. If you're going away for more time, have a friend or dog-sitter stay to keep them fed, watered, and walked, as well as giving them some much needed cuddles and playtime. Dogs are social creatures and love nothing more than spending quality time with their owners, so make sure to come home soon and celebrate the season with them.
If you want to find the paw-fect meal to treat your pups to this Christmas, check out our full range of dog food to find tail-wagging goodness for dogs of every shape and size. From chicken-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pups will be feeling paw-some all season long.
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