Christmas can be a busy time with lots of family get togethers, parties and celebrations, however we don’t often stop and think how all this festive fun might be impacting on our canine companions. Christmas also brings with it lots of potential hazards, especially for those nosey or inquisitive doggos who are intrigued by all the new sights and smells that the holiday season brings.
In this blog, we’ll share some do’s and don’ts when it comes to caring for your dog at Christmas, including which foods to avoid and some top tips for maintaining their physical and emotional wellbeing during this busy time of year.
1. Try To Maintain Their Routine
Dogs are creatures of habit and find comfort in routines. Any changes to their normal walking schedule or feeding times won’t be welcomed. Try wherever possible to stick to regular meal, walk and bed times to help your dog feel grounded, despite the holiday chaos that may be going on around you. Consistency reduces the likelihood of your dog developing anxiety or any other behavioural issues during the holiday season.
2. Don’t Overwhelm Them
Whilst Christmas can be a fun time for us humans, it’s important to remember that some dogs can feel easily overwhelmed by everything going on around them. If your regular quiet, relaxed home environment is suddenly transformed into a buzzing metropolis of new sights, sounds and smells, this can be quite stressful for dogs, especially if they aren’t used to it. Be mindful of this and ensure that your dog has a quiet space where they can retreat and relax away from all the hustle and bustle.
3. Introduce New Guests Slowly
If you have friends and family visiting, introduce them to your dog slowly and calmly. Sudden introductions or a rush of new people all at once can make your dog feel anxious, especially if they aren’t used to strangers. This advice is particularly important if your visitors have also brought their own canine companion, who themselves may be feeling anxious at their new surroundings. Allow your dog to approach new dogs or new people at their own pace, and always supervise their interactions, especially around excitable children, who might not know how to interact properly with pets.
4. Provide a Safe Space
If your dog is particularly shy or anxious, consider providing a quiet area for them to retreat to during peak visiting hours to help reduce any stress or anxiety. This could be a crate, a separate room, or even just a cozy corner with a bed, blankets, and some of their favourite toys. This space can serve as their sanctuary away from all the Christmas chaos.
5. Keep Dangerous Foods Out of Reach
Lots of foods we enjoy around Christmas time are highly toxic to dogs. The most well-known of these is chocolate, so make sure those selection boxes and any other tasty temptations are kept well out of your dog’s reach. Fruit cake, mince pies and stollen are three popular Christmas treats, however each of these contain raisins which are highly toxic to dogs. Be mindful of what foods you leave hanging around and educate visitors on which foods are and aren’t safe. You can read more about which foods are dangerous for dogs here.
6. Don’t Let Your Dog Play with Decorations
Christmas trees, lights, and decorations can be highly enticing for dogs, but they can also be extremely dangerous. It’s easy for your dog to mistake a shiny glass bauble that has fallen from the tree as one of their toys, which could lead to a nasty accident and an unwanted trip to the vet.
Ensure that wherever possible your decorations are out of your dog’s reach. Pay particular attention to anything fragile or small enough to be swallowed, which may pose a choking hazard or cause an intestinal blockage. Similarly, make sure any electrical cords are hidden or protected - consider using battery-operated lights as a safer alternative.
7. Be Cautious with Gifts and Wrapping Paper
While it’s fun to include your dog in the gift-giving festivities, be careful how they unwrap any presents you may have bought for them. Wrapping paper, bows and ribbons can all pose choking hazards, especially if your dog likes to tear things apart. Whilst it may be great for your Instagram content, it can potentially be dangerous for your dog, so it’s important to be mindful and vigilant of any potential hazards.
8. Don’t Neglect Their Need for Exercise
Amongst all the festive fun it can be easy to overlook your dog’s need for exercise. Whilst it may be tempting to simply undo a button on your pants and collapse onto the couch after one too many pigs in blankets, your dog still needs their afternoon walk.
A lack of physical activity can create a lot of pent-up energy, which may manifest in some unwanted behaviours. Whilst we’ve talked earlier about the importance of overstimulating your dog, it’s also important to not under-stimulate them either. Ensuring that your doggo gets plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day will also help alleviate any anxiety caused by the busy environment and changes in routine.
Conclusion
With all of the excitement that Christmas brings, changes in routine are somewhat unavoidable and it isn’t realistic to think that you can eliminate the impact on your dog entirely. It’s also not realistic to have eyes on your dog 24/7, guaranteeing that they don’t get up to any festive mischief. What you can do however is be mindful of the hazards and put things in place to try to minimise them as much as possible.
Being conscious of their need for ‘routine’ and keeping things as ‘normal’ as possible for your dog is crucial. If your dog feels happy, safe and relaxed, then that in turn allows you to fully relax and enjoy the festivities too. After all, that’s what Christmas is all about.
For more helpful advice and guidance, check out our Blog Hub or contact us directly by emailing hello@axelselixir.com and we’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.