The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and creating memories with friends and family. For many of us, our dogs and cats are an integral part of that picture – they are family. Including them in festive preparations and holiday celebrations is a given and can be a fun and rewarding experience for you and your furry loved ones. We've put together a list of some of our favorite pet-safe ways to ensure your four-legged family members are part of the holiday magic.
1. Make it a Haute Holiday: Dress them Up in Holiday Attire
Whether it's a cozy (ugly or otherwise) sweater, a sparkly collar, or a silly Santa hat, holiday or winter-themed outfits are a fun, festive, and adorable way to include your pets in the holiday hoopla. It's important to prioritize comfort and safety when choosing attire for your dog or cat. Look for clothing and accessories that don't restrict movement and always supervise your pet to ensure they are comfortable and not chewing off any part of their outfit. If your furry friend isn't a fan of a full-on festive ensemble, a simple holiday bandana or shiny bow will have them looking merry and bright.
2. Festive Photos: Include them in Family Photos or Take Some Special Solo Shots
Holiday photos and cards are a time-honored and cherished tradition for many. Now that you've got your pup or kitty suited up in their holiday finest, it's the paw-fect time to snap a family photo or take some adorable solo pictures of your favorite furball. Many photographers and pet stores offer holiday photo sessions for pets. (See the list below for local vendors and events in and around the Daily Leash service area). You may also choose to set up a photo shoot or capture some candid pictures at home. Check out our blog page for Six Simple Steps to Take Perfect Pictures of Your Pet, and incorporate festive pet-safe props like stockings, ornaments, and even a Christmas tree. You’ll treasure the memories for years to come.
3. Stuff Their Stocking: Create a Holiday Stocking for Your Pet
When hanging your stockings by the chimney with care, don't forget to make sure there's one for your pet up there. Hanging a stocking with your pet's name alongside the rest of the family's is a great way to include them in your holiday traditions. You can fill the sock with their favorite treats, fun new toys, or a new leash or collar. Watching your pet excitedly sniff out and "unwrap" their gifts can be as amusing as it is heartwarming and will only add to the holiday cheer.
4. HoHoHo Hit the Town: Go on Pet-Friendly Festive Outings
If your dog or cat is social and doesn't mind crowds, you can experience the season together by taking your pet on holiday-themed outings. Many communities, shelters, and pet stores host events like pet-friendly parades, holiday markets, and even pet visits with Santa (talk about a paw-fect photo opportunity). Check our list below for pet-friendly events in the Daily Leash service area. If your dog or cat isn't up for a social adventure, you might also enjoy taking a simple winter walk together or an evening stroll to admire the lights and decorations in your neighborhood.
5. Make Merry: Involve them in your Holiday Traditions
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to overlook our furry friends, and making time for new traditions may seem a little daunting. By including your dog or cat in your existing holiday traditions, not only will you share your joy in the season with them, but they may add to yours in multitude. Here are a few ways to adapt traditions to include your pets:
Decorating the Tree: Allow your pet to "help" by sitting nearby or playing with pet-safe ornaments or other enrichment toys as you decorate the tree. This is another great time to snap some candid holiday photos of your pet and the rest of your family. Visit our blog page to read Paws and Pine: A Guide to Pet Proofing Your Christmas Tree.
Watching Holiday Movies: The weather outside is frightful, what better way to celebrate the season than with a cozy holiday movie night with your furry love. Grab a blanket and some popcorn (unseasoned and unbuttered for your pet) and curl up on the couch to make some cozy holiday memories.
Opening Gifts: Gift your pets their own gifts to "unwrap" – with supervision, of course. Tearing and clawing at the wrapping paper can be enriching for many pets, providing an outlet for some of their natural instincts and energy. They will love the thrill of discovering what's inside and you will love watching them.
6. Bake Up Some Magic: Make or Set Aside Some Tasty Pet-Safe Holiday Treats
One of the best parts of the holiday season is indulging in delicious food, and our pets shouldn't miss out. Take some extra time this holiday to bake, buy, or set aside some special tasty treats for your dog or cat. The internet is swimming with pet-safe recipes for holiday treats, visit the American Animal Hospital Association's (AAHA) blog Eat, Purr, Love: Pet-Safe Holiday Treats, for some helpful tips and recipes to include your pet in the holiday fun without risking their health. Most pet and grocery stores carry a multitude of holiday treats for pets, perfectly packaged to put in their stockings. And, rather than giving in to pleading eyes and sharing unhealthy table scraps, you may also want to set aside a special plate for your pet during your holiday meal or party. See our graphic below to learn what foods are safe to feed your dog or cat and when everyone sits down to eat your pet can have their very own plate and truly feel part of the festivities.
7. Share the Spirit: Donate or Give Back Together
Above all else, the spirit of the holiday is the spirit of giving. This time of year, the ability to give back is the real gift, and you and your pet can help spread this joy to others. Consider donating food, toys, or blankets to a local animal shelter (see the links below for the wish lists from animal shelters in and around the Daily Leash service area). If your pet is well-trained and social, you might also reach out to local nursing homes or hospitals and inquire about participating in their therapy pet programs. Bringing holiday cheer to those in need will help you highlight the reason for the season while making some wonderful memories with your pet.
Including your pet in holiday preparations, celebrations, and traditions strengthens your bond with them and ensures that everyone in the family feels the joy of the season. By dressing them up, giving them special treats, and including them in family traditions, you'll create memories that will last a lifetime. This holiday season make your pet part of the magic!
Pet Friendly Holiday Happenings:
Cabella’s Santa’s Wonderland (Hudson, MA), Nov 3 – Dec 24
Bass Pro Shop’s Santa’s Wonderland (Foxboro, MA), Nov 3 – Dec 24
The Holiday Market at Snowport (Boston, MA), Nov 8 – Dec 29
Magic of Lights (Foxboro, MA), Nov 22 – Dec 25
Pet Smart Yappy Hour with Santa (multiple locations), Dec 14 & 15 2-6pm
Holiday Yappy Hour at Trillium Fort Point (Boston, MA), Dec 5, 12, & 15
Giving to Local Animal Shelters:
Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton (Hopkinton, MA)
Milford Humane Society (Milford, MA)
Medfield Animal Shelter (Medfield, MA)
Metro West Humane Society (Ashland, MA)
Worcester Animal Rescue League (Worcester, MA)
Animal Rescue League of Boston (Boston, Dedham, & Brewster, MA)
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) (Boston, Waltham, Methuen, Centreville, MA)
Second Chance Animal Services (N Brookfield, E Brookfield, Springfield, Worcester, & Southbridge, MA)
Comments