3 Holiday Tips for Dog Parents

Over 63 million households in the US own one or more dogs. This is because dogs love being around humans. But while their sensitive nature makes them immensely friendly, it also makes them exhibit signs of restlessness toward anything out of the ordinary. 

In general, the holidays are a great time for pets. They get to spend more time with their owners, and for dogs, in particular, there is absolutely nothing better than having their favorite hooman around all the time. But there’s a catch. 

The holidays arrive with parties, guests and lots of noise. And some dogs are extremely sensitive to such chaos. Therefore, as dog parents, it comes down to you to ensure your pup’s comfort during the holidays. 

Here are a few things you can try.

Don’t Disturb Their Routine

Whether you have guests over for the entire holiday season or a party for just one night—your dog's schedule remains the same. Give them their meals on time, and don't skip their walk or playtime. 

Because here's the deal. If your dog is close to you, they will feel lonely if you're too busy to spend time with them. 

Pro Tip: Take your dog out for a long walk and let it play around during the day before the party starts; that way, it will be too tired and drowsy to miss you by the time your guests arrive. 

Keep Your Dog Well-Fed

This is not just a tip to keep your dog calm, but it will also ensure that your guests have a comfortable stay. As a general rule of thumb, you should feed your dog before you eat. 

This will be especially useful during parties, as they will be too full to bother the guests for scraps. Keeping dogs well-fed will also make them behave around food that has been laid out for the guests.

It’s also a great idea to keep treats handy while people are visiting. Treats will take care of any cravings dogs might have. Additionally, they are a way for your friends or visiting family to bond with the pup. 

Take Special Care of Their Physical and Mental Well-Being

This is perhaps the most crucial part of owning a pet. Adopting a dog or any pet comes with the enormous responsibility of keeping them safe and happy.

Make sure that your holiday celebrations are not compromising their physical or mental health in any way. For instance, all party decorations need to be pet-friendly. Dogs are curious creatures, and if they get their paws on a piece of decoration, they're going to want to chew it—this could be a choking hazard. 

Also, party poppers and fireworks—with their loud bangs—are scary for dogs. Avoid them if you can, or just be there to comfort them. It will also help if you created a safe space for them to hide-out if they feel too overwhelmed with the festivities. 

Of course, not all of us are hosting during the holidays. If you're traveling and need pet care services in Chicago, get in touch with us. We provide dog walking services, puppy visits, and home pet sitting for your fur babies.