How to Include the Family Pet at Christmas

With Christmas coming faster then we can blink it is easy to forget about play time with Fido the family dog or Fee-Fee the warm loving cat. Of course you always set time aside during the day to play with him or her, pet them, and sometimes share some cuddling time. However, Christmas time can be so stressful. After the long hard day of parties, planning for parties, Christmas shopping and decorating, sending out cards, baking yummy treats, you find yourself at the end of the night just trying to catch up on all the things you missed throughout the day. There lays your family pet by your feet just wanting some attention and that is the last thing on your mind. I have a few tips on how you can still keep your pet happy this Christmas.

1. Buy That Bone
When you are out Christmas shopping, do not forget to get the perfect pet toy for you animal. If you pet is not involved in playing toys because they maybe too old, then think about getting them a special treat like a dog biscuit or cat snacks.

2. Unwrap Me Fido
After you have bought that special gift for your pet, go ahead and wrap it! If you bought them a toy, put an opened treat in the wrapping so they can smell it and unwrap the gift their selves. It is so funny to watch a dog unwrap a gift. If you are buying them a special treat, try to snip open the bag a little so the aroma is seeping out.

3. Say Cheese
Most malls these days offer "Santa Pet Pictures". We have a small town, and I know ours does, so I am sure there are other ones out there that do. If they don't in your area try to find one nearby. If you do not want your dog included in the family photo, think about getting a photo with the pet alone, or maybe with the kids. Only buy one print of the picture so it won't cost you too much, but it will be a memory for you to keep!

4. Taste Testing
I know they say not to feed animals from the table, however I am not a believer in that. I always feed my dog scrap food. It saves us on buying food all the time from the store, and we never have leftovers. So with that said, while you are making all that yummy food this Christmas have a special bowl set aside for your pet to allow them a little taste as you are cooking things. Only give them a spoonful to taste and never anything chocolate!

5. Get Your Leash
If you are hitting a parade this Christmas, or going somewhere to visit, like relatives for the day, grab whatever you need to allow your pet to travel with you. First if you are visiting relatives, ask them if it is OK to bring your pet as long as you keep him away from everyone else, even outside if their area is warm enough. If you are going to a parade and you have a dog, keep him on a leash and walk behind everyone else at least 5 feet away so they dog does not bother anyone.

6. Look At That House
When you are getting the kids all bundled up to go for a car ride to see all the lights on the houses, make sure your pet can go with you. Most animals love the car and they sure would welcome a bonus ride. Just make sure there is enough room and you bring their leash if need be, in-case they need to use the restroom.

7. Buy a Christmas Stocking
It would be enough to just get a present, however an animal loves to snoop through a big old sock too. Make sure the stocking represents the animal and have their name put on it. At the bottom of the stocking put a smell good treat in it so the animal can go digging.

8. Decorations Please
When it is time to turn your lovely cottage home into the Griswold's Family Christmas, make sure the pet can come outside with you. Toss a ball around with them, or set up a nice place to lay so they can get some fresh air too.

9. Inside Decorations Please
Now the outside is done, it is time to tackle the indoors. Have one or two family members work on the inside decorations while the other family members take the dog for a walk, or play with the kitty. This extra special love time will allow the people decorating a pet free hassle!

10. Trees Can Be Dangerous
When putting up the tree you always worry about your animal wanting to get next to it, perhaps inside it. They could knock off an ornament or worse knock the whole tree down. You do not want to pass up on the Christmas tree in your house, but place a gate around the bottom of the tree. Use a child's play gate and make sure there is enough room all around the area with the tree and gate around it, to place presents in. Next add a nice comfy bed beside the gated tree. Every night lay down with your family pet in the bed and pet him or her so they know they are allowed this close to the tree, but never inside the gate.