Don’t Forget About Your Pet

Author: Amy Holloway

With the festive season in full swing with endless parties, family get-togethers and gift exchanges, there’s every chance your pet could feel a little left out.

Here are our top tips on how to keep your pet happy this Christmas:

Keep them company

Like every other time of the year, pets enjoy and even crave company, dogs especially. It can be easy to get wrapped up in Christmas activities and spend less time than usual with your furry pals.

Try and make sure dogs aren’t left alone for long periods of time or on consecutive days. Can someone pop back at lunchtime if you’re at work? Can you take your dog with you to visit family and friends? Do you have a reliable pet sitter?

If you’ve not heard of it before, borrowmydoggy.com is a great website where pet owners and pet lovers come together to provide the perfect pet sitter/walker solution. People who love dogs but can’t have one for whatever reason are able to find pet owners in the area with a dog who needs some company during the day, exercise, holiday sitting and lots of love and attention. This could be the perfect way to ensure your dog has the company it needs all year round.

Cats enjoy company too, make sure your feline friend has some quality ‘you and them’ time over the festive period. If you know you’re not going to be home for long periods, a cat flap is a great idea so they can come and go as they please.

Keep them busy with toys

Why not pop into one of our practices and take a look at the range of festive toys we have for sale. Find your nearest branch.

What better way to entertain your cat or dog than with a choice of fun and challenging toys. There is a lot of choice out there in shops and online, but make sure you choose a toy that is safe, with no small parts they could choke on, and is suitable for your pet’s size.

You can get a range of dog toys that slow release treats and help to turn chewing and destructive behaviour into positive playtime. Take a look at this pet safe buddy for dogs and this interactive game looks like fun for cats! 

Don’t slack off the exercise

It’s important to keep up with your dog’s exercise routine over the Christmas period, to keep them fit, healthy and active. If your dog has been given a few extra treats, then a good hearty walk will help to keep them in shape.

Some dogs may benefit from a waterproof coat to keep them warm when out walking in the cold weather, especially small dogs of those without thick fur.

Get advice on pet happiness this Christmas

Other articles in this series:

FESTIVE PET TIPS – Keep your house tidy and your pet happy this Christmas