4 Ways To Make Sure Your Dog Has A Great Holiday Season

The holidays are an exciting time, but they can also be a stressful time – not just for people, but for our dogs too. If the family is gathering at your house, that extra excitement can be stressful for some dogs and if you’re packing the family up and leaving your fur kid at home for the day, that can be tough for them too. There’s lots of exciting food and things to get into, so it’s important to set your dog up for success this holiday season to make it a safe and enjoyable one for everyone.

4 Ways To Make Sure Your Dog Has A Great Holiday Season

Skip The Bones

It may be tempting to share bones from the turkey or ham with your dog, but real animal bones are actually very dangerous for dogs. They can splinter, get lodged in their throats, and cause serious life-threatening issues. To keep your holiday happy, be safe. Give your fur kid a nylabone, toy, or puzzle instead. They’ll be just as happy and you’ll be able to skip the trip to the emergency vet. It may be tempting to share bones from the turkey or ham with your dog, but real animal bones are actually very dangerous for dogs. They can splinter, get lodged in their throats, and cause serious life-threatening issues. To keep your holiday happy, be safe. Give your fur kid a nylabone, toy, or puzzle instead. They’ll be just as happy and you’ll be able to skip the trip to the emergency vet.

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Prepare A Special Activity

If you’re hosting the family at your house for the holidays, prepare a tux toy filled with xylitol-free peanut butter before the big event. Pop it in the freezer to set the peanut butter so it will last longer and provide a more stimulating challenge. When company starts to arrive, you can give it to your dog straight from the freezer and they will stay occupied for hours! If your dog isn’t a big fan of peanut butter, other spreadable foods work well too – even canned food. Just choose something they love to make this treat extra special. If you’re hosting the family at your house for the holidays, prepare a tux toy filled with xylitol-free peanut butter before the big event. Pop it in the freezer to set the peanut butter so it will last longer and provide a more stimulating challenge. When company starts to arrive, you can give it to your dog straight from the freezer and they will stay occupied for hours! If your dog isn’t a big fan of peanut butter, other spreadable foods work well too – even canned food. Just choose something they love to make this treat extra special.


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Keep Calm

If you’re having people over to your house for the holidays, that can be stressful for some dogs. Just like people, some dogs thrive on being surrounded by people and others prefer a quiet environment and a little more time to themselves. If your dog isn’t a social butterfly, make sure to have a safe and quiet place for them to go so they don’t get overwhelmed. A back bedroom, crate, or otherwise quiet, safe area where they can relax and get away from it all is ideal. You may also consider using Rescue Remedy if they tend to get anxious.

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Skip The Human Food

It can be tempting to share some leftovers with your dog, especially when they start playing up those puppy dog eyes but it’s important stand firm and not share (and don’t let any other family members sneak them food either). Rich and fatty foods can be especially difficult for your dog to digest and can cause issues even more serious than an upset tummy. There are actually a whole lot of things that are dangerous (full list here). If you want to give your fur kid something special for the holidays, prepare something dog-safe for them beforehand. It can be tempting to share some leftovers with your dog, especially when they start playing up those puppy dog eyes but it’s important stand firm and not share (and don’t let any other family members sneak them food either). Rich and fatty foods can be especially difficult for your dog to digest and can cause issues even more serious than an upset tummy. If you want to give your fur kid something special for the holidays, prepare something dog-safe for them beforehand.

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There is nothing like spending the holidays with everyone you love – dogs included! Just make sure they’re having fun and staying safe and it will be an enjoyable experience for everyone. Have any questions or additions? Tell me in the comments below!

By: Krista White