(Updated November 2024) When you’re caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas activities, it’s easy to forget what makes this time of year special. Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your pet, and even spoil them a little (or a lot!). Pets have an amazing way of easing holiday stress and putting a smile on your face. There are lots of festive activities that your pet can enjoy with you, so to help give you ideas, we put together this list of ideas for awesome ways to celebrate Christmas with pets.
12 fun ways to celebrate Christmas with pets
From cuddling up by the fire to going on adventures, here are our favourite ways of celebrating Christmas with our pets!
Have a Christmas craft night
Get your pet involved in making DIY gifts and decorations this Christmas. Even if you’re not amazing with a sewing machine, all kinds of crafts are quite simple to make with your pooch or kitty by your side!
For example, you can make a precious paw-print ornament by pressing your pet’s paw into non-toxic clay. There are also pet-friendly paints available on the market, perfect for making a greeting card with your pet’s paw print on it. (Just be sure to wash their paws afterwards!)
This is a fantastic way to create lasting memories and keepsakes to cherish for years to come.
Shop for last-minute gifts
Instead of going out on a cold winter night and shopping in overcrowded stores, cuddle up on the couch and do your last-minute Christmas shopping online instead – with your pet by your side!
Shopping online eases a lot of holiday stress, and your pet will be grateful to spend time with you. Just don’t forget to pick something special out for your furbaby; many online stores now offer dedicated pet sections with curated holiday gift ideas to make the process even easier.
Deck the halls
You can bring holiday cheer to your home by decorating your pet’s favourite spaces. Whether you’re making your bunny’s cage festive or adding some Christmas spirit to your cat tree, feel free to get creative!
Just be careful to use pet-friendly materials that can’t cause them harm, and keep an eye out for items like tinsel or baubles that might be tempting for your pet to try gobble up!
Go for walkies in a winter wonderland
The woods are especially beautiful for a winter walk, and your pet is the ultimate walking buddy.
Have fun exploring with your pet, and while you’re at it, gather pretty branches to make your own Christmas wreath for your front door. Whoever drops by your home will then get to see your handmade wreath, with materials collected by your loving, furry sidekick!
Don’t forget to also bring a thermos of hot chocolate for yourself and some water and treats for your pet to make the outing even more enjoyable.
Have a holiday photoshoot
Celebrating Christmas with your pet is a great excuse for an Insta-worthy photo shoot. Put on your dorkiest Christmas sweater and dress your furbaby up in adorable holiday style. Consider using props like fairy lights, Santa hats, or festive backdrops for added flair.
You’ll be able to treasure your festive photos forever!
Go on a drive to see Christmas lights
Driving around your community to see the Christmas lights is nothing short of magical, and it’s even better with your pet. Play some gentle holiday tunes in the car for that extra sentimental touch.
If your pet is like ours, they’ll love any excuse for a ride in the car! If, on the other hand, they get carsick at times, we have solutions for that too! You can also use this time to drop off donations to local animal shelters as a way to spread holiday cheer.
Hang up a stocking for your pet
When it’s time to hang up the Christmas stockings, your pet should have one too! We love these easy-to-make stocking patterns.
You can fill your pet’s stocking with little toys and healthy treats – you won’t believe your furbaby’s excitement when they realise the stocking is for them!
Bake Christmas cookies
Baking cookies is a wonderful holiday tradition, so why not make some Christmas cookies for your pet? With ingredients like peanut butter and oatmeal, these homemade dog treat recipes will be a hit with your pup as well as being dog-friendly!
Share the love with pets in need
Some pets aren’t lucky enough to have a forever home where they can spend Christmas. Keep these little ones in your heart this season by supporting a local animal shelter. You can make a monetary donation in your pet’s name, or donate food, toys, and blankets.
Snuggle up
When it’s time to put on your favourite Christmas movie, get a comfy blanket and call your pet over for cuddle time. Your little one will love spending time with you, and you might even find that your own Christmas stress will completely fade away!
Get dressed up
Dressing your pet up in a holiday outfit is adorably cute. Pick out a cute Christmas sweater or a miniature Santa hat and play holiday dress-ups. For those of us with pets who don’t like wearing clothes, a festive bow on their collar will do the trick.
Spread holiday cheer
Pets bring a smile to people’s faces any day of the year, so they’re especially good at spreading holiday cheer. Take your pet out Christmas carolling (be sure to dress them up nice and warm!), or visit a home for the elderly – we can’t understate the impact this will have on the people lucky enough to run into your beloved furball!
Cherish your pet this Christmas with the Serene Calming range
Celebrating Christmas with our pets can make the holidays extra special, but sometimes all the Yuletide madness can be a little overwhelming for our furry friends!
Help your dog stay calm this Christmas with our award-winning Serene Calming Ointment. This all-natural, sedative-free solution provides rapid relief from dog anxiety. Voted PetQuip Product of the Year 2024, it’s the perfect calming aid to keep on hand for the festive season!
Serene Calming Ointment helps your dogs and puppies relax during anxiety-inducing situations. Its unique patented formula is scientifically proven, easy to use, and provides fast relief within 20 minutes. When applied to your pet’s nose, the ointment releases a pheromone allowing your dog to relax, calm, and settle quickly. It’s fast-acting, safe, effective, and easy to use, with no limit on usage. Ensure a stress-free holiday season for your furry friend by adding this essential product to your festive toolkit.
So whether you and your pet are relaxing under the Christmas tree or going on adventures in the snow, from all of us here at VETIQ, we wish you both a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
