'Tis the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be made all the more magical by learning how to include your pet in Christmas traditions.
With the countdown on until the Big Day, now is the pur-fect time to help spread some holiday cheer amongst your friends and family members and this includes your fur friend.
A good place to start is by understanding the basic rules of pet safety at Christmas and acquainting yourself with all of the different Christmas hazards for pets. For example, to really make your pet feel part of the holiday magic, deck your halls with decorations that are pet-friendly. This is especially the case if you've got a kitty who loves all things sparkly or a pup who loves to bite ornaments.
To help get into the Christmas spirit and make your fur family feel part of the plans, we've listed some merry and bright ways that cover how to include your pet in Christmas traditions.
How to include your pet in Christmas traditions
1. Fill a stocking for them
One quick fire-way to include your pet in your Christmas traditions? By filling a stocking for them with all their favorite treats and hanging it right next to your own.
If you’ve already got the basics sorted, like the best dog treats, the best cat treats, and the best long-lasting dog chews, why not try some toys?
The best cat toys and/or the best dog toys will keep your fur baby highly entertained come Christmas Day. While the best rope toys will give your pooch something to sink their teeth into. If you’re the proud pet owner of amphibians, keep your reptile engaged with the best toys for pet lizards. We’ve also got guides to the best rabbit toys and best toys for hamsters, too.
If their toy collection is already overflowing, why not treat them to a personalized lead or pet bowl? The options are endless.
2. Give them their own advent calendar
It's not just humans who are partial to treats every day of the month throughout December.
While you won't be able to feed your dog chocolate – the theobromine content of chocolate makes it poisonous for your pooch to consume – you can invest in one of the best Advent calendars for dogs which is filled with safer and healthier options, like treats that are meat and grain-free. We’ve also rounded up the best Advent calendars for cats.
Of course, nobody knows your fur-friend better than you. So if you'd rather be in control of what your dog is eating, instead of buying a ready-made option, you could always purchase an empty advent calendar that you can fill yourself. This is especially great for dogs with sensitive stomachs as it means no one has to miss out.
3. Go and look at the Christmas lights together
The tradition of looking at Christmas lights never gets old. Whether it's taking a drive into town to look at all the elaborate shop windows or wrapping up warm and taking a walk in your local neighborhood to see who's got the best lights going.
It's a magical experience that all the family can enjoy. And your dog needn't be excluded.
If you're yet to look at all the illuminations, bring your dog along for the ride. Instead of taking your pooch on the usual walking route, layer up, bring a cup of hot cocoa and some pet treats, and get ready to check out all the Christmas lights on offer.
4. Decorate their space with pet-friendly decorations
The easiest way to get your pet fully in the festive spirit? Deck the halls — or in this case, their hutch, bed, or toys — with pet-friendly decorations.
If you have a cat who bats all of your beautiful baubles for fun or have a pup who thinks it's a good idea to use the trunk as a scratching post, you'll be pleased to know that there are many ways to ways to cat-proof the Christmas tree and pup-proof your festive foliage. And the same goes for their sleep space.
For example, to help decorate their bed so it's full of holiday cheer, opt for soft furnishings like festive blankets instead of using shiny objects.
Or you could bring all the festive feels to your pet's home by switching out their food and drink bowls for something more Christmassy.
5. Pose for a Christmas picture
Maybe you’re hoping to update your family portrait this year. Or perhaps you get your family picture taken annually to create personalized Christmas cards. Either way, get your pet involved in all the festive fun.
Not only will having a picture taken with your cute companion be a great way to make them feel part of the family, but it will also help you preserve memories for life.
To make it feel extra Christmassy, get some pet-friendly decorations involved, like some animal-approved festive food garlands or ornaments.
Or, if you wanted to go all out, you could all dress up in Santa hats – but only if your animal feels comfortable doing so.
For more ways to help celebrate Christmas, check out the best Christmas gifts for dogs and best Christmas gifts for cats as chosen by owners. You might also want to read: 8 ways I’m involving my dog in Christmas festivities this year
