The Christmas countdown has begun...
…twinkling lights, mouthwatering cooking smells and the sound of carols all help create a festive atmosphere for the family — but your dog may feel entirely differently about the Christmas excitement.
So let’s think about Christmas from their point of view.
A few thoughtful steps can help your dog feel included, relaxed and genuinely happy. After all, they’re family members too, and everyone benefits when small measures are taken to reduce stress and avoid an emergency visit to the vet.
Dog Bed Versus Christmas Tree
If possible, try not to move your dog’s bed to make space for the tree. If their usual spot disappears overnight, they may take refuge behind the tree where they could knock it over or chew the light cable. If you must move their bed, do it well in advance so they have time to settle into the new location — ideally a quiet space they can reach easily.
That said, we do move our boy’s bed to make room for the tree, but he has two others in the same room, so the change isn’t as disruptive as it might be.
Give them a break from the chaos:
Christmas brings changes to routine, visitors arriving and leaving, deliveries, noise and excitement. What feels like fun to us can feel unpredictable and overwhelming for a dog.
Make sure they have somewhere to escape to — a calm space where they will be left alone. As the Big Dog Bed Company, we naturally suggest that this space includes a bed they actually like using.
During peak moments of family activity, you may want to pop your dog into another room with their bed or place them in their crate if you use one. Closing the door helps keep them away from overexcited children or enthusiastic adults and prevents them from becoming over-stimulated.
Keep to their routine:
Try to keep your dog’s day as normal as possible.
- Walks and meals: Stick to familiar feeding and walking times to give them a sense of stability in the midst of all the festive changes.
- Downtime matters: If your dog normally enjoys quiet time, offer a peaceful room and a comfortable bed. A puzzle toy filled with treats can provide gentle entertainment.
- Travel considerations: If you’re visiting friends or family and your dog doesn’t travel well, consider a trusted home carer or kennel. Arrange this early, as Christmas bookings fill fast.
Maintaining routine helps dogs cope with the extra stimulation and reduces stress-related behaviour. Even the calmest dog might growl or snap when overwhelmed. Don’t blame the dog — they’re simply trying to cope. It’s kinder to give them somewhere quiet to relax.
Stress: What are the signs?
Subtle signals can tell you your dog is finding things difficult. Look out for:
- yawning
- panting
- lip licking
- wide or staring eyes
- ears pulled back
- excessive grooming
- chewing paws
- avoiding eye contact
Dressing dogs up, no matter how cute they look, can add to their discomfort. And always supervise interactions between children and dogs, especially if they’re not used to one another.
Stress can also cause physical upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea. Over-treating your dog “because it’s Christmas” can have the same effect.
Treats and leftovers:
Too many rich leftovers can cause problems. There are plenty of excellent handmade Christmas-themed dog treats available, so look online or in pet shops for options created specifically for dogs.
Never give chocolate: it contains theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs. Likewise, anything containing grapes (raisins, sultanas, currants) — such as Christmas pudding, mince pies, black bun, simnel cake or Christmas cake — should be kept well out of reach.
Be mindful of leftovers: wrap up food waste securely and use an inaccessible outdoor bin so the turkey carcass doesn’t become an irresistible, but dangerous, midnight snack.
Keeping everyone comfortable
Dogs are part of the family, so it’s natural to want them involved in Christmas festivities — but try not to place unreasonable demands on them. If something goes wrong, it really isn’t the dog’s fault. A few simple steps help keep everyone comfortable:
- Keep chocolate ornaments, candles and fragile decorations out of reach.
- Respect your dog’s limits. If they retreat to their bed or quiet space, they’re simply choosing comfort.
- Offer calm interactions such as gentle petting, simple games and treats in designated areas so they can join in without feeling overwhelmed.
A dog is not just for Christmas
It goes without saying that a dog — puppy or rescue — should not be acquired at Christmas. If you want your festive celebrations to include a new dog, do the groundwork first, then present a photo of the dog-to-be as the “gift”, or involve the family in choosing the new arrival after Christmas.
Bringing a new dog home during the busiest time of the year isn’t ideal. House-training a puppy while juggling everything else Christmas requires is not a scenario anyone needs.
Happy Christmas from us all!
Your dog is part of the family, so of course you want them involved in the biggest get-together of the year. With a little forethought and preparation, Christmas can be enjoyable for every member of the household — including the four-legged ones.
