With Christmas on its way we as humans can’t wait to enjoy the festive period, however there are are some very important things to consider for our four-legged family members.
Christmas however exciting, can be a stressful time for dogs. With changes in routine, additional visitors in the house, excited children, loud music, and festive decorations covering the house this can cause your pup anxiety. One way you can help reduce the stress is by planning ahead making a happy and peaceful home for everyone during the holiday season. Here are Bruce’s top tips to help prepare you and your dog for Christmas 2024.
Dogs love consistency and when this is disrupted so are they.
Try and stick to their normal routine as much as you can. Christmas is a busy time but keeping the basics consistant will ensure your dog has as much fun as you do.
Keep feeding times, walks, toilet breaks and bedtime routines the same as this will help pets feel more secure.
Dogs can be sensitive to loud noises.
Remember Christmas is a noisy time and our dogs can really struggle with lots of people coming and going, bangs of crackers, loud music and jolly voices.
Giving your pup somewhere nice and quiet with their bed to retreat to, away from all the excitement is a must. Leave toys and a treat there to help them feel secure and keep them entertained.
Dogs still need their sleep…even if your children are too excited to!!
We can’t help but sometimes want to share our Christmas dinner with our dog. Be mindful of being overindulgent with your furry family member, human food is very rich, especially at Christmas time.
There are also many foods your dogs should avoid at all costs. These include:
If you want to give them a christmas treat why not buy them a dog advert calendar. As reviewed by our Bruce’s dogs they can be delicious!
You can find out more about all of the no-go foods for dogs here.
Remember our dogs are just as excited to open presents!
Be prepared for an inquisitive dog to stick their nose in, so make sure you have some interesting sniffing games for your dog so they can also get in on the fun. Boxes and expty wrapping paper can provide hours of fun for your furry friend. Try wrapping some tasty treats up and hide them around the house for them to find.
During the hustle and bustle of Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of tasty treats and indulgent drinks.
But let’s not forget our furry friends’ favourite activity – walkies! Getting the family together for a nice, brisk Christmas walk will help us all to take a break from the holiday indulgences and enjoy some much needed fresh air!
Don’t forget about dogs in need, this giving season.
While making sure that your pooch is safe and happy this Christmas, why not get in touch with your local rescue centre too? Whether you bought too may toys, have some extra blankets that you no longer use or could donate some tasty treats to those in need, any help would be greatly appreciated. Some of our Bruce’s favourites are: Mayhew Animal Charity, Birmingham Dogs Home and Raystede Animal Charity.
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