5 Dog-friendly tips for the Christmas season

We love Christmas! Here are a few tips to help make sure your dog enjoys it too:

1. Christmas food

Festive food is delicious to us but this is a time of year when several ‘Christmassy’ recipes are potentially dangerous for our dogs. The list is long, but it’s worth remembering what not to feed your dog, as an emergency trip to the vets will be the last thing you’ll want for you and your best friend!

Just look at this list of culprits: Chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding, raisins, grapes, Macadamia nuts, onion, garlic, blue cheese, artificial sweeteners, mouldy foods and alcohol. And be extra careful with bones from turkey carcasses as they can pose a dangerous choking hazard.

Don’t worry, it’s not all bad! You can still share some skinless and boneless turkey! Just be careful it's not covered in fat, salt or gravy as this can cause tummy upsets or pancreatitis flares. 

2. Christmas tree and decorations

We strongly recommend only allowing your pets around your tree when they can be supervised. Flashing lights, glittering tinsel and hanging decorations are too tempting for even the most well-behaved dog. Fallen trees are a fire hazard and ingested tinsel can cause obstruction, which would require surgery. Festive plants and flowers including poinsettias, holly, ivy and mistletoe are mildly toxic to dogs, with Lilies being potentially fatal to cats. It’s a jungle out there, so be on your guard and keep Christmas merry for your furry friends too. 

3. Christmas chaos

Christmas can be chaotic. To reduce stress all round, try to keep to your dog’s normal routine as much as possible. Provide them with somewhere cosy and quiet where they can retreat to and have their own space away from the festive excitement. When your dog is in their quiet spot, make sure they're left alone and not disturbed by children or other guests.

4. Winter chills and spills

You may not feel like going for a walk in the winter weather, but the exercise will also be great for your dog, keeping them engaged, relaxed and healthy. The  Dogrobes Walking Bag offers the perfect solution to the various items needed, from Dogrobes drying coat and Snood to treats and handy poo bag dispenser. Ideally, when walking in the dark it’s best to wear reflective clothing to ensure you're both visible, especially for street walks with zebra crossings. If snow is on the cards, their paws will need some extra protection. Top tip for your dog’s comfort: Consider applying a paw balm to protect their pads and before heading out, carefully clip long fur around their toes. This will help reduce the risk of those pesky hard pellets of snow and ice that can collect between their feet. Be aware also, that salt and antifreeze is dangerous to our pet friends, so immediately after a walk wash your dog’s paws with warm water to prevent burns or ingestion of any chemicals if they are lickers.

5. Snowballs!

What can be more relaxing after an energetic ‘walkies’ than lying in bed or on the sofa wrapped in soft, lightweight towelling and a snood over the ears? We don’t think anything tops this and your dog is sure to agree!  Dogrobes dog drying robes are a great way to keep your dog warm after a walk and will even help melt snowballs that have gathered on furry bellies! This will help dry them quicker and will keep your car, carpet and furniture protected. They’ll be nice and warm in their smart, comfy Snood, while the family enjoys Christmas all around them. 

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