9 ways to include your dog in the Christmas festivities

Christmas is a time of joy and love – two words that also describe what our dogs bring into our lives every day. So it's only natural to find ways to include them in the festive spirit. Whether it's a festive family photoshoot or wrapping a special gift for them under the tree, there are plenty of ways to make your dog feel part of the holiday. This article sets out 9 ideas for including dogs of any breed, size and age in your Christmas traditions and celebrations.

1. Make a Christmas stocking for your dog

While you're hanging up the family's Christmas stockings and filling them with little gifts and surprises, consider doing the same for your four-legged friend. There are lots of special things you can put inside – treats, chew bones and new toys that are sure to delight them and keep their mind stimulated over the Christmas period.

Just make sure the stocking stays out of reach until Christmas or, if you have a more mischievous dog, only fill it on Christmas Eve. For an extra special touch, you can personalise the stocking with your dog's name, an initial, or a symbol that represents them – a paw print, for example.

2. Include them in the family photos

If your family loves taking festive photos, don't forget to include your dog. After all, they're a fully-fledged member of the family and deserve to be in the shot with their favourite people. Of course, getting them to look at the camera can be a challenge, so some families prefer more spontaneous photos.

If you'd rather have a more posed portrait, though, you can use their favourite treats or toys to guide them into sitting and looking in the right direction. For an extra festive touch, add accessories like a Christmas hat or a Christmas jumper. Your dog might not understand that they're part of a family photo, but they'll definitely sense they're spending time with their favourite people – and that's what matters most. And you'll get a warm memory with the whole family, four-legged members included.

3. Prepare a dog-friendly Christmas dinner

While you're preparing and enjoying a lavish Christmas spread, consider putting together a dog-friendly version for your pet too. The smells are bound to tempt them, and they'll probably be eyeing up your food anyway, so a special festive menu is a lovely way to treat them and include them in the celebrations.

It's important, though, to avoid foods that are dangerous for dogs, such as onion and garlic. Instead, choose safe vegetables, potatoes and plain protein such as turkey or beef, topped off with a little dog-friendly gravy. If you don't have time to cook, you can buy ready-made Christmas menus for dogs. While they're not meant for everyday feeding, one special festive meal made with good-quality ingredients is perfectly safe and will make your dog thoroughly happy.

4. Decorate with pet-safe decorations

Decorating the house is one of the nicest ways to get into the Christmas spirit. When you have a dog, it's important to choose decorations that are safe for them. That means unbreakable baubles, wide ribbons and festive plants that aren't toxic to dogs.

You might also consider an artificial tree, to avoid the risk of your dog swallowing fallen pine needles, which can cause stomach upset. Keep more valuable or fragile decorations out of your dog's reach. That way you'll protect both them and your decorations. Having a dog doesn't mean giving up on Christmas decorating – it just takes a little extra care and planning.

5. Plan a festive walk

Whether it's before or after unwrapping presents, build a festive walk into your Christmas Day. This will give your dog a chance to stretch their legs and spend some time outdoors before you settle in at home with the family.

To make the walk even more festive, you could all wear Christmas jumpers – your dog included. Not only does this add to the fun, it also keeps them warm in the cold weather. A Christmas walk also helps everyone get moving and work up an appetite for the festive meal.

6. Make your own Christmas treats

Homemade Christmas surprises are a lovely way to add some festive spirit. You can use ingredients your dog loves, such as dog-safe peanut butter and coconut oil.

Homemade treats let you control the quality and avoid artificial colourings and additives. They also add some variety to their routine and make the holidays even more special for your pet.

7. Play festive games

The Christmas season can get busy, but our dogs still need attention and mental stimulation. Festive games are a great way to meet those needs. For example, you could set up a treat-hunting game using Christmas boxes or old socks.

This kind of "treasure hunt" engages your dog's senses and rewards them with tasty surprises. After a game like this, they'll be more likely to settle down and rest peacefully, and if they need more to do, a chew bone will do the job nicely.

8. Watch a Christmas film together

Another way to enjoy the holidays with your furry friend is a cosy movie night. Choose family Christmas films featuring dogs, such as "A Dog Named Christmas", "The 12 Dogs of Christmas" or "Santa Paws".

Even if not every dog pays attention to the TV, some love watching other animals on screen. Set the scene with blankets, fairy lights and favourite treats, to make the evening truly special.

9. Wrap your dog's presents

Make Christmas even more exciting for your dog by wrapping their presents. Many dogs love tearing into wrapping paper, especially when there's a tasty treat or a new toy inside.

Use safe, non-toxic materials such as plain paper or fabric, and avoid ribbons and small decorations that could be swallowed. The joy your dog shows unwrapping their presents will be a real celebration for everyone.

Conclusion

Christmas is a time for sharing with loved ones, and here at HAPPY PET NET we believe dogs are part of the family. That's why including them in your festive traditions will mean a great deal to them. Everyone deserves to feel loved and special – fur or no fur. Merry Christmas to you and your dogs!

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