4 Ways to Include Your Dog in the Festive Season While Minimising Stress

The festive season is a time of fun and joy but can be a disruptive period for our pets. Dogs may find the change in routine, increased noise levels and visitors overwhelming and it’s important to watch for signs of stress; from increased vocalisation to hiding and destructive behaviour. 

Dogs are of course part of the family, and we want to include them in our celebrations, but it can take some effort to find activities that they are comfortable with. In today’s blog we’re exploring the top ways you can include your four-legged family member in the festivities while minimising stress for them.

 1. Involve Dogs in Traditions at Christmas 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we want our dogs to have as much fun at Christmas as us, so why not involve them in family traditions. They deserve a stocking of their very own filled with dog-friendly presents and their favourite treats. 

Some great presents for dogs include enrichment toys like, chew items, snuffle mats or a new cosy bed. If you’re looking for a soothing present for your pup, try ADAPTIL Chew. This delicious, calming chew is perfect for giving to your dog daily to help them feel more at ease during the festivities. The quick acting formula is designed to work fast, perfect for the festive season where lots can be going on around the house and plans can change!

You can also find some simple healthy and homemade dog treat options here – you can use festive shapes or moulds to bring the holiday cheer! Most of all remember to keep harmful foods that we humans eat around the festive season, like chocolate, Christmas pudding and sweets, out of reach. 

If you want to keep your dog entertained and let them ‘unwrap’ their own presents, make sure to do so with supervision and use suitable wrapping paper. Many dogs enjoy ripping the paper and small parts may be dangerous for them to ingest.

Try not to force participation and allow your dogs to choose the activities they want to be involved in. 

2. Set Up Calming Spaces for Your Dogs

Just like us, dogs need to retreat to calming spaces for them to decompress. We recommend setting up a quiet area or room with familiar bedding and toys as a safe haven for your dog, away from the hustle and bustle of the house.

You can plug in an ADAPTIL Calm diffuser in this space to provide reassurance for your dog through the calming natural pheromone released. White noise or calming music is also great to mask loud sounds in this area and help your dog settle. 

It’s a good idea to build positive associations with this space before Christmas, so that your dogs know that it is a place for them to relax when they feel a little overwhelmed. Make sure that the family and any visitors know that your dog should not be disturbed when they are resting here.

3. Dog-Friendly Decorations at Christmas 

One of the best parts of the festive season is decorating our homes but, we should be aware that drastic changes in environments can be disorientating for dogs. When festooning your homes, try to introduce decorations and changes gradually to help your dog adapt. 

Here are some top tips on decorating with your dog in mind at Christmas: 

• Use dog-friendly decorations, like shatterproof ornaments.

• Hide or protect lighting cords. 

• Use dog-friendly plants and avoid harmful plants like mistletoe, ivy and holly.

• Flashing lights and loud and unpredictable noises might be fun for us but can be overwhelming for your dog. 

• Avoid strong smelling decorations - remember your dog has an amazing sense of smell compared to us. 

• Secure your Christmas tree properly to avoid TIMBER situations! 

4. Festive-Themed Enrichment Activities to Keep Dogs Entertained

There are so many festive and fun Christmas-y ways to keep dogs entertained. Something as simple as appreciating the difference in your freshly decorated neighbourhoods on daily walks, letting your pooch smell any new scents and take it all in can make a positive difference to their day.

With the festive period there may even be festive dog-friendly holiday events in your local area, where you can meet and connect with other pet parents. 

Or, after a long day, why not snuggle up for a festive movie night? Dogs are loyal creatures that love spending time with their humans. Spending quality time with them cosied up on the sofa could be their ideal place to relax. If you fancy a pooch themed film, take your pick from our 10 must-watch dog films.

A puzzle toy or long-lasting chew toy can also be a great way to keep your dog entertained, like during a family mealtime - and help them to feel like they’re not missing out.

Identifying Signs of Dog Stress 

Just like us, dogs express their feelings through motions and actions. Especially at Christmas watch for your dogs’ signs of stress, like yawning, lip licking, hiding and excessive barking to see if you can help to make any necessary changes. Not sure what to look for? The ADAPTIL Decoder course is a great place to learn!

Top Tips for Calming Your Dog in the Festive Season

Keep Things Consistent

Keep your routine as regular as possible. Keep your dog’s feeding, walking, entertainment, exercise and bedtime schedules consistent to help them stay calm. 

Guest Etiquette

Give your guests guidance on how to gently interact with your dog, such as avoiding sudden movements and loud greetings. Naturally, children can be very excitable during the festive period so try to help them understand too. 

A good way to keep your dog calm and entertained is to make sure that someone is responsible for supervising them at different times. Otherwise, it’s easy for everyone to assume that someone else is doing this.

Training and Prevention 

It’s good to prepare your dog for expected unusual noises, like parties and fireworks, as much as you can. ThunderShirt is a calming vest that provides gentle and reassuring pressure to the body of your dog which soothes them. Simply pop it on before the festive party starts or fireworks are expected to help reduce feelings of stress.

Alternatively, you can give your dog ADAPTIL Chew about 30 minutes before the loud noises are expected to begin.

Travel Considerations 

If you’re travelling with your dog at Christmas, remember to pack the essentials, like food, water, bedding, toys and any medication. It’s worth checking the accommodation you’ll be staying at ahead of time to be aware of any pet policies as well as useful details, like knowing the number for the local vets – just in case of any emergencies. 

If they’re not already accustomed, make sure to prepare your dog for the mode of transport you will be using. ADAPTIL Transport can help them to feel more comfortable and secure in the car. Simply spray directly on your dog’s blanket, bedding or crate ahead of your journey.

Ask Your Vet 

If you’re worried about how your dog will cope with the upcoming festivities (or they have found this time difficult in the past) you can contact your vet. There may be underlying medical issues impacting your dog’s behaviour, and your vet or a qualified behaviourist can help you develop a tailored plan to help your dog cope better this year.

For more information on dogs and Christmas take a look at these blogs, or for advice on ADAPTIL Calm and our other products, why not get in touch? We’d love to hear from you!