Christmas With a Dog: Practical Tips for a Calmer Festive Season

Christmas changes the house very quickly. There are visitors, decorations, food, parcels, altered routines and unfamiliar noises, while the dog has received no calendar invitation explaining any of it. A little planning can make the festive period calmer for everyone.

This is general practical guidance, not veterinary advice. If your dog eats something potentially harmful, is injured, or seems unwell, contact a veterinary professional promptly.

Keep Decorations and Cables Out of Reach

Tinsel, ornaments, ribbons, batteries, electrical cables and small decorations can all become interesting to a curious dog. Position decorations with your individual pet in mind and supervise around anything they may chew, pull down or swallow.

Be Careful With Food and Wrapped Presents

Christmas food and presents can create easy opportunities for dogs to get into things they should not. Keep food, edible gifts and rubbish securely out of reach. Do not assume wrapping paper will disguise the smell of food from an animal whose nose has already located every forgotten biscuit in the house.

Protect Their Normal Routine

Try to keep familiar walks, meals, rest and toilet breaks reasonably consistent. A busy household can make it surprisingly easy to forget that the dog still expects Tuesday to operate broadly like Tuesday.

Give Your Dog a Quiet Place

Visitors, children, music and general festive commotion can be tiring for some dogs. Make sure your pet has access to a familiar, comfortable area where they can rest without being followed or disturbed.

Supervise Children and Dogs

Visiting children may not know your dog's boundaries and your dog may not be used to children. Adults should supervise interactions and make sure the dog can move away when it wants to. Do not encourage hugging, climbing on or crowding a dog that is trying to rest.

Choose Pet Gifts Made for Pets

If you are buying treats, toys or wearable items for the dog, choose products specifically intended for animals and appropriate for that dog's size and needs. Paw & Glory's personalised portraits and homeware are gifts for people and homes, not toys or chew items for pets.

Keep Walks and Downtime in the Day

Normal exercise and quiet time can provide a useful break from a crowded house. Adjust walks to your dog's usual needs and the local conditions rather than trying to compensate for Christmas with one enormous outing.

Do Not Give a Pet as a Surprise Present

Bringing an animal into a household is a long-term decision involving cost, care, lifestyle and suitability. A surprise puppy or kitten is not an ordinary Christmas gift. If a family is considering a pet, that decision should be planned with the people who will be responsible for it.

For the Humans Who Love the Dog

If you want a dog-themed present for an owner rather than the animal, a custom pet portrait or framed pet portrait uses a favourite photograph without adding another object for the dog to investigate.