6 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with Your Dog

There’s no reason our four-legged friends can’t be part of the holiday fun. If you’re looking for ways to include your dog in Christmas, Hanukkah, and holiday celebrations, here are some ways to get your furbaby in on the festivities!

Shower Your Dog with Gifts

Okay, this is an easy one. Keep gift-giving simple with a single toy for your good boy or girl. Or take it up a notch by giving your dog a treat each day of December as a dog-friendly “advent calendar” or stuffing a stocking full of goodies to hang by the chimney with care.

Snazzy Holiday-Themed Collar and Leash

Your pup should look the part! Celebrate all month long with ourHanukah-themed,Christmas-themed, andwinter-themed collars, leashes, harnesses, ID tags, waist walkers, potty trainer systems, and more!

Family PJs for the WHOLE family

Does your family have a holiday pajama tradition? If so, get your furbaby in on the fun! (If not, make this the year you start!) You’ll find a ton of dog pajamas for sale online in a variety of sizes and patterns. Yes, they’re cute, but they’re also functional, and will keep your best friend warm this winter.

Say Cheese

Include your dog in your family portraits this year, if you haven’t already. After all, our pets are part of the family! To get your dog to look at the camera along with the rest of the family, ask the photographer to hold up a tennis ball, favorite toy, or irresistible treat to get your dog’s attention. This is also a good time of year for some solo portraits of your pet.

Let it Snow

If you live in a climate with snow over the holidays, give your pup a chance to play outside. Lots of dogs LOVE playing in snow - not just Huskies and St. Bernards but others who weren’t bred for cold weather – and are fascinated by the way it feels and moves. You may want to protect their delicate paws with waterproof doggie booties and if their coat isn’t thick, give them a sweater and/or coat, too.

Baking up some love

One of the best things about the holidays, we can all agree, is the delicious food. Don’t forget your dog when you’re in the kitchen – it’s easy to whip up some dog-friendly treats while you’re baking cookies for Santa’s elves or your holiday cookie exchange party. Don’t know where to start? This list links to 25 easy peasy dog treat recipes and should keep you busy through the New Year!

Bonus: Safety First

This isn’t a way to get your dog in on the fun, but a way to avoid mishaps that spoil the fun. Keep common holiday plants that can be bad for dogs – including mistletoe, holly, amaryllis, peace lily, and calla lily – out of reach. Same goes for lit candles, breakable ornaments, and delicate gifts. Skip the popcorn garlands and other edible Christmas tree decorations and if your dog is the destructive type, consider securing your tree from toppling using fishing line attached to the wall.