Celebrating Holidays With Your Dog

The holiday season is a wonderful time to celebrate with those you love. There are many festivities and traditions to partake in, but what about the dogs in the family? 

Enjoying the winter spirit may seem more difficult with a pet, but there are tons of ways to include them in the fun! Take a look at our list of the dos and don’ts of celebrating the holidays with your dog.

Best Activities for Dog-Friendly Holidays 

No matter what you’re celebrating, include your beloved pup! 

Any holiday can be canine-inclusive, but remember to double-check for holiday hazards, like toxic foods, before adding your dog to any family activity. Your woofer wants to feel like a part of the family, and with the holiday season approaching, it’s a perfect time to show them that they mean just as much to you.    

Thanksgiving With a Hungry Canine 

Holidays that center around food, like Thanksgiving, can be a challenge when you’ve got a hungry and drooling pup following you around the kitchen. They’re just checking to make sure you didn’t forget about their special holiday meal, too! 

Try these tips to keep your dog entertained while you prepare food for the holidays: 

• Prepare a dog-friendly Thanksgiving feast: You can make a tasty dog-approved Thanksgiving meal out of the simple starting ingredients you’ll already have for your own dinner. Spare a free ounce of unseasoned white turkey meat, some cooked and unsweetened cranberries, and a sweet potato, and you’ve got the beginnings of a dog-friendly feast!

• Participate in a Turkey Trot: The best way to keep your dog on their best behavior around dinnertime is to tire them out well before the food hits the table. A Turkey Trot is a common community event that consists of an annual walk to raise money for local charities. There are many Turkey Trot events throughout the country around Thanksgiving,  so check an online community site for more information about a holiday walk near you.  

• Interactive activities for the football game: The screaming, cheering, and suspenseful sound effects of football are bound to get your dog riled up and excited. If you just want to watch the game in peace, you’ll need to keep your dog entertained. Try interactive toys like digging mats or motion-activated balls, so they’ll have something to do while you enjoy some well-deserved couch time. 

Keeping Your Dog Very Merry All December Long

There are a handful of holidays to celebrate during the last month of the year, so share the spirit with your four-legged friends by including them in some of these popular winter holiday activities: 

• Holiday photo shoots: Capture your dog-friendly holidays on camera for photo albums and holiday cards! You can dress your pup up in themed outfits or choose to go in for more candid shots while they enjoy their own festive fun.

• Dog-friendly cookies: These may not be Santa’s favorite type of treats, but your pup is sure to love them! You can use the same recipe as the pumpkin treats for Halloween but shaped into cookie balls instead, or try a fun dog-friendly peanut butter cookie recipe.

• Pet-friendly holiday markets: If you’re looking for stimulating holiday activities for dogs that love to socialize, consider finding a holiday market. Typically, these festivals include winter treats, themed activities, and big open spaces for your dog to walk around. 
• Holiday light festivals and tours: Many towns will put on tree-lighting ceremonies, create picture opportunities in community spaces like malls, and have neighborhood shows with decorated lawns. These can be fun sights for your dog to enjoy!

Watch Out for These Hazards When Celebrating Holidays With Dogs

If you’re celebrating holidays with dogs, remember that many foods and traditional decorations can actually be harmful to the dogs in the family. Because of their smaller weight, our pets have more sensitive digestive systems than humans, so certain foods that we can enjoy are considered toxic — or even lethal. 

Some common holiday hazards include:

• • Food: Certain holiday foods can be toxic to pets in small amounts or potentially lethal in large doses. These include chocolate, alcohol, onion/garlic variations, grapes, and raisins. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, and organ failure. 

• Certain plants: Mistletoe, Holly, Lilly variations, Amaryllis, and even Poinsettias are dangerous if ingested. While Poinsettias have been deemed less toxic than previously believed, they can cause symptoms like irritation and diarrhea. Other holiday plants can cause more serious symptoms like heart problems, tremors, and lethargy. 

• Decorations: Shiny objects like tinsel and ornament hooks may attract your dogs, but they can also do severe harm if accidentally ingested. A trick is to leave an inch or two at the bottom of the Christmas tree undecorated to deter any canines from mistaking it for a toy. 

• Essential oils and candles: Scented candles and essential oils like cinnamon, clove, citrus, and tea tree can be incredibly harsh on your dog’s respiratory system, making it difficult for them to breathe. 

Holiday Activities for Dogs at Greenlin Pet Resorts 

Taking a vacation for the holidays? No need to fear, Greenlin’s luxury pet resort is here! 

Sometimes, we all need a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and unfortunately, furry friends can’t always tag along. However, we’ve got the next best thing. 

Give your beloved pup a vacation of their own when you send them to dog daycare or pet boarding at Greenlin Pet Resorts. They’ll enjoy all the comforts of home while being spoiled with luxury amenities in our 5-star facility.