Christmas can be a truly magical time of year. The tree is up, the house is decorated and the presents are wrapped, excitement levels are high especially when you have young children!
You want to enjoy the festivities and welcome family and friends to celebrate with you, but you also want to be sure that your dog is as happy, safe and relaxed as possible.
Whether you have a new, super cute puppy, a recent rescue or a family dog who has been with you for years, it is important that they don’t become stressed, overwhelmed or over-excited. Dogs can’t tell you how they feel so observe for any signs that they are feeling uncomfortable and have had enough. Make sure that there is a safe place where they can go and not be disturbed. This could be their crate, a utility room or even a study or office set up just for your four-legged family member.
Tips For Having a Happy Christmas With Your Dog
One of the biggest Christmas traditions is to bring a giant fir tree into our homes and cover it with bright shiny baubles that dangle enticingly! Your dog may see the tree as being the ideal place for an indoor wee, a great climbing opportunity or the source of many sticks! To an anxious dog, it could also be a source of alarm. If you think that your dog may be too interested in the tree:
- Consider having a smaller tree that can be put on a table.
- Use a puppy pen to section off the room where the tree is so that your dog can’t access it.
- Make sure you regularly clear up the fallen needles so they don’t end up in your dog’s paw.
- Avoid glass baubles which may shatter if they fall from the tree, be careful that tinsel doesn’t become a sparkly tug toy!
Another big part of Christmas is the food. We need to be really careful with our Christmas fayre so that we don’t give our dogs a chance to swipe a mince pie off of the table or a selection box full of chocolate treats. Some of the foods that are poisonous or toxic to our dogs are raisins and sultanas, grapes, onions, chocolate, alcohol, walnuts, macadamia nuts and xylitol (a natural sweetener found in many sugar-free treats).
To make sure that your dog can also enjoy a Christmas dinner here is a recipe for some super yummy meatballs. You will need raw turkey mince, crushed cranberries, 1 egg and some veggie leftovers.
- Preheat oven to 350F (180c, 160c fan)
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Roll into individual balls
- Bake until golden brown
- Give it to your dog and watch that tail wag!!
Having a dog in your home makes Christmas an extra special time and by making sure that he is kept safe and well the whole family will enjoy this most wonderful time of the year.
Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.
Happipup x
