Celebrating the Holidays with Your Dog? Here are 10 Ideas

The holidays are here, and many dog lovers intend to include their four-legged friends in the celebrations. It's crucial to maintain your pet's food and exercise routines as near to their regular schedule as you can while you get ready (just like we should for ourselves). Keep your dogs away from harmful objects, toxic plants, and unhealthy diets.

But how else can you keep your pet safe and happy during this hectic time? Let’s make a list and check it twice, reviewing ten ways to celebrate the holidays with your pet.

1. Include Them in the Decorations

Some of us may still recall what it was like to get an ornament that was just ours. Although we might have shared it with the family while it was on the tree, it was still our very own.

It's the same with your dog. They cherish possessions that are theirs. Select a tree and decorations that are suitable for pets.

To adorn your home for the holidays with your dogs in mind, use garlands or Christmas lights. During this season, you may also dress up your dogs with festive accessories like Santa hats or animal ears. These add more decor to your house while also making your pet stand out!

2. Treat Yo' Pup!

And we do mean treats in the most puppy sense of the word. Festive foods everywhere...

A handmade dog biscuit created by you and your family is a meaningful and practical way to show your canine companions that you care.

You can get all the ingredients you need to make these DIY dog treats from your neighborhood grocery shop, and if you like, you can even indulge in them. Making your own dog food has the added benefit of using products you most likely already have on hand. Oatmeal, eggs, flour, water, or broth are ingredients included in many recipes.

With cheese, apples, carrots, yams, pumpkin puree, and peanut butter (no zero-calorie sweeteners like xylitol), you can make delectable cookies that any dog will like while also providing them with nutritious vitamins, protein, and fiber.

Your dog's favorite item is the ideal canine Christmas present! Pick from festive tastes like peanut butter, gingerbread or unique chicken treats fashioned like Christmas trees for your dog.

For dogs that don't consume grains, Chewy also sells grain-free snacks and organic and natural dog treats. Dog treats that are healthy for their teeth may help keep your best friend's smile radiant during Santa's visit!

3. Be Mindful of Your Pet's Precious Ears

Due to their superior hearing compared to that of a normal person, your dogs’ sensitivity to noises is significantly heightened.

Humans only have two of the eighteen muscles that allow dogs to spin their ears in different directions.

Our puppies can hear higher pitches than we do, as well as a much wider range of frequencies. Owners of dogs are understandably concerned when loud noises hurt their own hearing. The frequencies that harm your dog's ears normally run from 20,000 to 25,000 hertz, with 25,000 hertz being a good indicator that your puppy is starting to get irritated.

How can loud noise exposure affect hearing in dogs? This is extremely comparable to human hearing loss. A dog's cochlea, which is a component of the inner ear, has tiny hairs known as cilia. Normally, these cilia vibrate and convey information to the brain in response to sound waves. Loud sounds cause these hairs to get damaged, which is irreversible.

4. If You're Cold, They're Cold Too

Where do you think the term “chilly dogs” comes from?

Put on clothing if you intend to spend more than a short amount of time outside. To protect your dog's paw pads from the freezing snow and antifreeze, pack a heavy winter coat and dog shoes. Dog clothing may seem ludicrous, but in colder areas, they are essential for short-haired canines. Colds are more common in smaller dogs and animals with extremely short or thin coats.

Bring your dog inside as soon as possible if it is clear that he or she dislikes the cold. If required, little dogs can "go about their business" in the snow and freezing temperatures on indoor training mats. More effort should be put forward to ensure the safety of your best buddy in both colder and hotter areas.

When the weather is chilly, many people bring their pets inside. Even if you don't want your dog to enter your home during the winter, putting your dog warm and protected in a garage or shed is frequently a good approach to keeping them safe and healthy. Straw should be spread on the floor, an insulated dog bed should be provided. The space should also be small and well-ventilated.

5. Get a New Friend for the Holidays

While your kids may grovel, beg, borrow and steal to make a puppy magically appear under the tree, they're not the only ones. Dogs, in many cases, love other dogs! Why not allow your Rover to have another come over? Permanently.

If your dog is well-behaved and socialized, they could be ready to have a brother or sister. If you're not sure your current dog is ready for a new friend, we've got some advice for you here.

6. Dogs May Get Frightened by Costumes

It's difficult to resist the impulse to costume-dress a dog. For many people, clothing a dog is as normal as dressing a child because of how adorable they can be. Your visitors will find him or her more precious and will pay him or her even more attention, which your dog will undoubtedly sense.

But… It's possible that dogs hate dressing up. or witnessing others in costumes.

Your dog’s skin can be sensitive and prone to irritation, therefore clothing shouldn't be tight or include anything that might entrap the dog's neck.

Dogs frequently recognize humans by their physical characteristics and other indications. Costumes, strange makeup, and occasionally even changing the way we move, smell, or behave might perplex our pets. Anxiety and dread may result from this.

7. Manage Your Pooch During Holiday Celebrations

Holiday gatherings and celebrations are joyful and exciting, but your pet could find it a little overwhelming. Crowded meetings with lots of people may easily become challenging, regardless of whether your pet is sociable, timid, aggressive, or just slightly learning handicapped. To avoid any mishaps, it's vital to prepare your pet as much as you can.

Pets might become overwhelmed by the thrill and excitement of entertaining guests. Provide your dogs with a warm spot to relax after the celebrations and keep them inside during the colder months.

You may keep them snug in a crate, scratchboard, or other suitable areas, though a separate room is ideal. Make sure overnight visitors shut their baggage to keep inquisitive animals.

8. The Holly and the Ivy are Just for Show

We love adorning our homes with a ton of festive greenery and flowers for the holidays. Be aware that certain items are more or less toxic to your pups.

Everything from poinsettias to Peace lilies, from mistletoe to amaryllis can harm your dog if they decide to nip off a blossom. And we can’t forget the holly as well as the ivy. When you're decorating, know your dog and how inquisitive they can be with new items around the house. If they dig and eat everything in sight, maybe reconsider these specific holiday trimmings this year.

9. Toys. Plain and Simple

Who doesn’t love getting an early Christmas present? Your dog isn’t any different. Give them a festive toy that they can play with on Christmas Eve.

Your dogs are going to love getting presents. We know this seems simple. But we wanted to remind you.

10. Keep Pets Away from Open Flames

Between the occasional fire or menorah, things being alight is a holiday hazard. It might feel like it goes without saying, but protect your pup from a fiery mishap. They might not know what they’re getting into until it’s too late…

Jenna and the JLDD Team