For many people, dogs are a part of the family; as such, they get to join in on festive fun! Whilst many people love putting up Christmas trees, wrapping presents, and having loved ones over, how much do our four-legged-friends enjoy these activities? Are Christmas dinner left-overs and lots of people fussing over them really what they had on their Christmas list…? For many owners, you will give a resounding “yes” to that question! However, let’s have a look at how to keep pooches perky over the festive period…
- Minimise stress
Christmas comes with bows, boxes and visitors – what may seem like a lot of fun to us can be a lot of stress for our dogs! Our canine companions are creatures of habit; they like routine, and having their schedules and people they normally see knocked out of sync can be stressful for them.
So, how can we reduce stress for our beloved Beethoven?
- Try to keep his routine as close to normal as possible; regular feeding and walk times will help him feel like nothing too exciting is going on, even if there is suddenly a tree in his favourite snoozing spot…
- Allow him his own space; young relatives who aren’t used to interacting with dogs may threaten him if they are invading his personal space (or tugging at ears…!) Allowing your dog his own space when visitors come can give him some quiet time to himself; this is especially useful if he is crate-trained.
- Do give lots of fuss and positive reassurance!
- Avoid anything toxic
Picture the scene; the car is frozen on the way to the shops. You throw some anti-freeze over your windscreen, and jet off to get a turkey, some nice garlic and onion for stuffing and garnishes, some after-dinner chocolates, some Christmas pudding with lots of raisins, and maybe even some alcohol for a post-dinner tipple. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Not for ravenous Rover; antifreeze (ethylene glycol), small bones, onion (thiosulphate), garlic, chocolate (theobromine and caffeine), raisins and alcohol can all seriously damage our pets, and even kill them! Ensure he doesn’t get given these directly by well-meaning family or friends, or have access to these in bins.
- Avoid over-feeding
“Fido needs a Christmas feast, too!” Trust us – he doesn’t! Oily, greasy foods can cause diarrhoea in dogs, and some dogs have very sensitive tummies; sudden dietary changes, especially to meals rich in protein and fat, can cause dietary upset, or even pancreatitis. Unfortunately for us and our pooch pals, periods of overeating can lead to weight-gain, which has negative implications for their health (and ours). Dogs don’t know it’s Christmas, and won’t be upset at missing out on stockings of brussel sprouts, so avoid over-feeding just because it’s Christmas time!
- Do things he likes!
Many of us are lucky enough to get time off over Christmas; this time can be devoted to our loved ones – whether they have four legs or two! Whether your dog loves cuddles, playing with toys, or long walks, take the time to show him you care.
- Remember he loves you every day of the year!
Christmas can be a time of such happiness for so many people and their pets, but, sadly, this is also the time of year when animal shelters are over-run with strays and abandoned animals, and dogs are no exception. A dog is for life, not just for Christmas! Dogs can enrich our lives so hugely; whether you are fortunate enough to have a dog, or are thinking of getting one, do show them love and appreciation.
Wishing you and your dogs a very merry Christmas, and a fantastic new year together!
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” -Charles Schulz