With Halloween and Bonfire night done and dusted, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas.
Whether you’re a Christmas fanatic or the C-word is banned in your home until – at least – the 1st of December, it definitely doesn’t hurt to start thinking about your plans.
Whatever they may be – be it the annual family gathering or a lazy day on the couch with a tub of Celebrations – you may be thinking of ways you can involve your pets.
After all, they’re a member of the family. So why should they have to miss out on all the festive fun?
In this blog, our experts here at Pet Shop Online share some of our favourite ways you can make Christmas 2023 as pet-friendly as possible!
Stick to pet-friendly treats
We all like to indulge in festive treats over the holidays.
Let’s face it, there’s nothing like curling up with a cup of mulled wine or tucking into a mince pie (or two!).
But these delicacies aren’t to be enjoyed by your pets, as they contain ingredients that are toxic for them and cause upset tummies and other, far more serious, problems. So, it’s best to keep them well out of reach.
The roast dinner is one of the most important parts of the day, and it can be tempting to treat our pets to a plate of turkey and trimmings.
If your pet is a healthy weight, there’s no harm in giving them a small portion, but you should steer clear of:
- Bones – bones are a huge choking hazard and can lead to a gut blockage.
- Onions, garlic, leeks and shallots – these foods are incredibly toxic for our pets, even in small quantities. Remember to steer clear of giving them any gravy, stuffing or any other trimmings that contain ingredients such as these.
If you don’t want your pet to feel left out, try making some tasty homemade treats they can enjoy instead! There are plenty of pet-friendly recipes online that they’re sure to love!
If your pet does ingest any of your goodies, be sure to take them to a vet as soon as you can.
Reconsider your decorations
Fairy lights. Baubles. Tinsel.
However you dress up your home for the festive period, it’s important to be mindful of how your decorations could affect your pets.
These items provide irresistible play opportunities for our four-legged friends, and if they get their paws on them, they can be pretty dangerous. Anything knocked off your tree can be swallowed or broken and trodden on – so remember to hang any lights or ornaments well out of their reach.
If you usually have a fir or pine tree, make sure to sweep up any fallen needles and cut off access when they’re left home alone, as they can be mildly toxic for your pets and pose yet another choking hazard.
Set up a quiet, cosy space
For many of us, Christmas Day is one of the busiest of the year.
With family and friends getting together and classic Christmas tunes playing at top volume, all the faces and noise can be pretty stressful for your pets.
If you can, set up a space for them in a room far away from all the action, providing some of their favourite toys, a comfy bed and calming music to help them relax if they need to.
Need more expert tips?
Whether you need more expert tips on how to make your Christmas pet-friendly or are looking for some treats and toys to make your fur baby’s day more exciting, you’re definitely in the right place.
Pet Shop Online is your one-stop shop for all things pet-related, and our team would be more than happy to offer tips, advice and recommendations for how to pet-proof your celebrations.
Give us a call today on 0161 728 4656 or email us at shop@pet-shop-online.co.uk and we’ll be in touch shortly!
