The holiday season is fast approaching, and as we gear up for Christmas, our furry friends are just as excited as we are. Our pets are a a BIG part of our families, and what better way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year than by including them in the festivities? Here are ten fun ways to celebrate the holidays with your dog!
Fun Ways to Include Your Dog in Your Christmas Celebrations
From dog-friendly holiday cookies to exciting rides in the car to check out all of the lights, there are so many fun ways to include your dog in your Christmas celebrations!
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Dress them up:
Get your pooch in the holiday spirit with a festive outfit. From Santa hats to reindeer antlers (like those pictured above), there are plenty of options to choose from. Just make sure your dog is comfortable and can move around easily.
Not all dogs enjoy wearing clothes, so it’s important to introduce the outfit slowly and make sure your furry friend is comfortable with it. If your dog seems agitated or uncomfortable, it’s best to skip the outfit and find other ways to incorporate holiday cheer, such as festive toys or treats.
Remember to always supervise your dog when they are wearing an outfit and never leave them unattended. With a little patience and creativity, you and your pooch can enjoy the holiday season together in style!
Bake dog-friendly treats:
Whip up some homemade dog treats that are safe and healthy for your pup to enjoy. Peanut butter and pumpkin are popular flavors that dogs love. Making homemade dog treats is a great way to ensure that your furry friend is getting a healthy snack.
Many store-bought dog treats are filled with preservatives and unhealthy ingredients that can harm your dog’s health in the long run. By making treats at home, you can control what goes into them and ensure that your dog is getting a tasty and nutritious snack.
No matter what flavor you choose, always make sure to use dog-friendly ingredients and avoid any harmful foods like chocolate or onions. With a little bit of effort, you can whip up some delicious and healthy treats that your pup will love.
Here are some of my favorite dog treat recipes to get you started!
Candy Cane Doggie Biscuits with NO Artificial Coloring!
This festive Candy Cane dog treat recipe is perfect for your dog’s holiday stocking! The great thing about this homemade dog treat recipe? It’s made without any artificial colors! Instead, the red part of the cane comes from beet juice.
Homemade Holiday Dog Treats Recipe: Christmas Trees Cookies
We’re sharing one of our favorite Holiday Dog Treats: Christmas Tree Cookies! So, grab your Santa hat, get your four-legged companion by your side, and let’s explore how to treat your dog to some Christmas tree-shaped goodies that will have their tails wagging with joy.
Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Holiday Dog Treat Your Pup is Begging For
While you’re baking the Christmas cookies this year, don’t forget to whip up a special holiday dog treat for Fido! These super simple treats have just three ingredients! Now that’s my kind of recipe! The best part? Two of the ingredients are totally hypoallergenic and the third can easily be swapped for an allergy-friendly flour.
Take them on a Christmas light tour:
Load up your dog in the car and take them on a tour of the best Christmas lights in your area. They’ll love the ride, and you’ll enjoy the company. Not only will your furry friend enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season, but spending time with them can also be a great stress reliever for you.
Plus, it’s a fun and unique way to bond with your pet during the festive season. Be sure to pack some snacks and water for your pup, and don’t forget to bring a cozy blanket to snuggle up with. So hit the road and make some memories with your four-legged friend this holiday season!
Make them a part of your Christmas card:
Include your furry friend in your family’s Christmas card photo. Whether they’re posing with a Santa hat or sitting under the tree, they’ll add a special touch to your card.
Not only will including your pet in your Christmas card make for an adorable and heartwarming photo, but it’s also a great way to show your furry friend how much they are loved and appreciated.
Plus, it’s a fun way to get creative with your card and add a unique touch that will make it stand out from the rest. So go ahead and grab your camera, gather the family, and let your pet join in on the festive fun!
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11/20/2023 02:34 pm GMT
Buy them a special gift:
This is my favorite way to celebrate the holidays with my dog! I have to admit, I go a little overboard with her stocking. Hey, my kid is all grown up now and I REALLY miss buying toys. At least my dog still like them!
There are SOOOOO many ways that you can go here, too. Fill a stocking with cute dog toys and treats. Invest in a good new orthopedic dog bed. Wrap gifts up in plain brown paper (I just reuse the paper from all of the Amazon boxes that I get throughout the season).
You can even get them a BARK subscription box and keep the fun going all year long! If you order now, you can get a 2X upgrade AND score some adorable Rudolph toys.
Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that will make them happy and comfortable. After all, our pets give us so much, it’s only fair that we give them a little something in return.
Visit Santa Paws:
Many pet stores and animal shelters offer “Santa Paws” photo opportunities where you can take a picture of your dog with Santa. It’s a fun way to capture the holiday spirit.
These photo opportunities are not only great for capturing memories, but they also often support a good cause. Some animal shelters may charge a small fee for the photo with Santa, with the proceeds going towards helping homeless animals find their forever homes.
If you don’t have a shelter in your area that’s doing an event, check with the Santa photo set at your local mall. I used to work for a popular mall Santa set and we always did at least two “pet nights.” Just keep in mind that shelter events are typically significantly cheaper than mall Santa events.
Attend a dog-friendly event:
Look for holiday events in your area that are dog-friendly. From Christmas parades to dog-friendly concerts, there are plenty of options to choose from. Not only will your furry friend enjoy the festivities, but you’ll also get to spend quality time with them during the holiday season.
Don’t forget to dress them up in a festive outfit and bring along some treats for them to enjoy. It’s important to always make sure your dog is comfortable and safe, so be sure to check the event rules and regulations beforehand. With a little research, you’ll be able to find the perfect holiday event for you and your four-legged friend to enjoy together.
Include them in your holiday traditions:
If you have a family tradition, like opening presents on Christmas morning, include your dog in the festivities. They’ll love being a part of the celebration.
Consider getting them a new toy or a tasty treat. You could even wrap it up in festive paper(or as I mentioned above, plain brown packing paper) and let them have the joy of tearing it open.
Just be sure to supervise them while they’re opening their gift to ensure they don’t accidentally ingest any wrapping paper or ribbons.
Additionally, if you’re having a big family meal, don’t forget to set aside some dog-friendly food for your furry friend. Plain, cooked meats like chicken or turkey can be a tasty and safe treat for your dog to enjoy. You could also mix in some dog food with a bit of gravy or broth to make a special holiday meal (like our Crock Pot Chicken Dog Food) just for them.
Including your dog in your family traditions can make the holidays even more special and memorable. So don’t forget to show them some extra love and attention during this festive time of year.
Create a dog-friendly Christmas tree:
Decorate a small Christmas tree with dog-friendly ornaments and toys. Your pup will love having their own tree to sniff and play with. Not only is this a fun activity for you and your furry friend to do together, but it also keeps your pup from being tempted to play with the larger, more delicate ornaments on your main Christmas tree.
You can find dog-friendly ornaments at pet stores or even make your own by using non-toxic materials like felt or paper. Don’t forget to include your pup’s favorite toys as decorations, such as chew toys or squeaky toys. Your pup will feel included in the holiday festivities and it will make for some adorable photo opportunities too!
Volunteer with your dog:
Spread the holiday cheer by volunteering at a local animal shelter or pet rescue with your dog. It’s a great way to give back and spend time with your furry friend. Not only will you be helping animals in need, but you’ll also be spreading joy to those who are looking to adopt. Many shelter dogs can benefit from socialization and interaction with other dogs, and what better way to do that than with your own pup?
Plus, volunteering at a shelter can be a heartwarming and fulfilling experience, knowing that you’re making a difference in the lives of animals who may not have anyone else to care for them. So grab your leash, some treats, and head to your local shelter to spread some holiday cheer!
In conclusion, there are plenty of ways to include your dog in your Christmas celebrations. From dressing them up to volunteering with them, your furry friend will love being a part of the festivities. So this holiday season, don’t forget to spread the love to your four-legged family members.
