How to Make the Most of your Dog’s Christmas

Christmas can be a very exciting time as you get to spend quality time with friends and family. It is also a time that can be chaotic and stressful for you and your pooch. Wondering how to make the most of your dog’s Christmas? Check out our tips below!

Constant Flow of People
Holidays are a hectic time as friends and family come over for Christmas parties making your house more crowded and busier than usual. Unfamiliar smells and new faces can cause stress on your dog so try to make them feel comfortable by providing support to your furry friend.

Mistletoe and Other Holiday Plants
Mistletoe, holly, and other holiday plants may look nice as decor but before you put them up in your house you may want to think twice. These plants can be very toxic to dogs and can cause drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Festive Apparel
Christmas sweaters, Santa outfits, and festive bandanas can all look extremely cute on you doggy but if they don’t like wearing clothes don’t force them into any type of apparel. Even if your dog doesn’t mind getting dressed up it is important to always give them lots of rubs and encouragement.

Down Time
It’s important at Christmas time that you schedule some downtime for your dog. A quiet space or room would be a nice place for your dog to sleep or relax away from all the hustle and bustle.

Guests Giving Your Dog Food
It is a good idea to warn your guests to not give your dog any food as they do not know what they can or cannot eat so it is better to avoid it all together. Christmas meals are especially dangerous for dogs as they are high in fat and contain bones that are can cause intestinal damage.

Candlesticks and Lighted Decorations
Do not leave your dog alone with any burning candles or open flames. If your dog is very active and tends to run into items in your house you may want to consider replacing your candles with a battery-powered or plug-in candle.

Avoid Certain Toys
We all want to get our dog toys for the holidays, however, some toys can be very dangerous for dogs as they have small parts that can be easily ingested. If you received a toy as a gift, make sure to take a good look at it before you hand it off to your pooch.

Unfamiliar Sights and Sounds
During the holidays, Christmas music and lights are fairly common to humans but not to dogs. Keep an eye on your pooch to make sure that they don't get overwhelmed by all the commotion.

Proper Interaction With Guests
When guests come over for Christmas make sure that they know how to properly interact with your doggy. If your dog doesn’t like certain things make sure your guests are aware of them. For example, if your dog doesn’t like to be picked up warn your guests beforehand to avoid an unpleasant situation.

Keep a close eye on your pooch this Christmas season to make sure they have an enjoyable holiday as well. If you are looking to track their activity why not download our app and purchase a PoochPlay tracker today!