How to get ready for Christmas with your pet? The holiday season is a time for preparation and getting into the holiday mood. In recent years, it has become increasingly common to see dogs dressed up for the holidays. Santa suits with caps and Elf clothes with ears never fail to attract attention. However, there are plenty of other ways to include your pet in the celebrations than dressing them up in costumes.
From preparing your pet for the holidays to including them in the celebrations, we’ve got you covered.
01. dresses for celebration
Want to include your dogs in the holiday fun but worried they might get lonely? The best way to celebrate the holiday season with your dogs is by dressing them up in festive attire. There is a wide selection of festive garb available, from Santa suits to Reindeer antics and even Elf garb! There are also some more subdued winter wear options if the aforementioned are too garish for your tastes.
Clothing that can be worn in a variety of different ways, such as a coat or sweater, is a better investment since it can be used not just during the winter but also throughout other chilly seasons. A jumper is the most effective way to keep your pet warm.
02. holiday-themed pet collars
If you want to make sure your pet is safe and sound, a collar is a must. If you let your dogs outdoors this holiday season, they should be wearing a collar and leash set that is both stylish and functional in case they wander off. Festive collars are available for many sorts of pets including Dogs, Cats, and even Ferrets!
While your pet has to wear a collar to keep it safe, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a festive collar. Wrapping presents is probably something you’ll be doing in the days leading up to Christmas. To add a touch of holiday style to your pet’s ensemble, why not wrap a length of your favorite present ribbon around the collar? Make sure it isn’t too enormous, though, or your pet could become stressed out.
03. Antlers
There’s a one-holiday ornament that works for almost every pet. Could antlers be a better fit, seeing as how they’re commonly connected with Christmas thanks to Reindeer and all the carols that go along with them?
Whether you’re taking family photographs or planning a costume party for your furry pet, antlers are a must-have accessory. You should keep an eye on your pet at all times while they are wearing antlers because they are not designed for extended use.
04. Christmas foods
For many people, their dogs are deserving of their own “little Christmas supper” of scraps left over after the preparation of the main meal.
The problem is that not everything you consume is suitable for your dogs. Unpleasant and perhaps dangerous gastrointestinal disturbances can be caused by eating certain common human diets. Some animals, like dogs, find that some meals are far more harmful and might even be deadly. Here are some resources you may use to learn more about what foods to avoid giving your pet: Here and here are some links you can click on. Read this post if you’re at a loss as to what to do if your dog has gotten into the Christmas candy. Please take all possible precautions.
There are many human foods that should never be given to a dog, but there are also several delicious Christmas dinner favorites that your dog may safely consume in moderation. Normal pet diets can include foods like turkey, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and eggs.
05. Christmas treats
Why not grab some treats to put in your dog’s new Christmas bowl? You might feel tempted to share your delicious holiday treats with your pet while you indulge. While kids may be salivating and monitoring your every move, it’s not always in their best interest to get chocolate.
Have no fear, for there is an option! Why not acquire some pet snacks if your pet has a sweet tooth? Pet chocolate is readily available in a variety of forms, from bars to chocolate drips, and it doesn’t break the bank. As an added bonus, you can purchase toys and machines specifically designed to hold the chocolate treats and keep your pet engaged.
06. Celebratory dishware
As we mentioned in our last piece, food is always appreciated, especially so during the holiday season. Why should we leave our animal pals out of the holiday festivities when we can get them their very own customized silverware and colorful plates?
As a fun addition to your holiday decor, give them a bowl to eat out of or drink from that shares the spirit of the season. If you don’t want to spend money on seasonal decor, you may get by with a red or green dish that can be used all year long.
07. Remember to spend some quality time with your pets!
You, as a pet owner, should understand the value of consistent, positive interaction. This is true even during the holiday season, so make sure to give them your full attention on Christmas. Give them lots of love and attention by cuddling, petting, and playing with them to show them how much you appreciate them.
Like us humans, dogs will wish that the holiday season could go on indefinitely. Why wouldn’t they, when they’re constantly rewarded with extra attention in the form of long walks and tasty snacks? Once you’re back at work in January, take your pet on some long weekend walks to help ease them back into the routine, and if you’ve been feeding them too much, start cutting back gently.
READ MORE: Five ways to improve your dog’s walks
08. Keep your pets from getting anxious about guests.
The holiday season is one in which loved ones are gathered together, so it stands to reason that you would like to host a Christmas celebration at your home. It may seem normal to you, but if you have a lot of guests around at once, it might be stressful for your dogs. While many animals like human company and may even play with curious onlookers, even the most sociable of pets occasionally need some alone time.
Make sure your pet has a quiet space it can retreat to if it needs some downtime. Keep in mind that some of your guests may be young children, and instruct them on proper pet behavior. Take steps to ensure that your kids recognize the signs your pet is giving you so they’ll know to stay away. New children should never be left unattended with any animals.
09. Get some gifts for your pet.
Despite the holiday’s emphasis on loved ones, Christmas presents are often eagerly anticipated. It’s easy to forget about the dogs in your life while shopping for Christmas presents, but don’t!
You might also spend time and money on a thoughtful Christmas present for your pet, but remember that they’ll be just as pleased with an inexpensive new toy or game that they can bring to you to play with.
Make sure it’s something you can play with, too, like a pull rope toy or a string toy that you can pull along. Instead of leaving your pet bored and lonely, you can utilize this to spend quality time with it through play.
