Fun Festivities with Your Furry Friends

The holiday season is a special time of year. We gather with family and friends, sharing gifts, food, drinks, laughter and love.

Our pets are both our friends and our family. So, why not start a few traditions to include them and show them how much we love them?

Let’s take a look at a few ideas to include your pets in the magical fun of the season…

Furry Traditions

Create whole new traditions or be sure to include your pets in your current ones for a fun-filled holiday for everyone in the family

Christmas Lights

Take your dog for a walk around the neighbourhood all done up with holiday lights. They get in some extra exercise and you get to see their bright eyes taking in all the wonder of the season. Just make sure you and your dog are dressed warmly and protected from the elements.

There are many outdoor lighting displays in local parks that welcome pets, as well. Just keep them leashed and only take them if they’re comfortable with strangers as these display areas can be a little busier than your usual walk in the park.

Maybe your family loves to pile in the car and drive around looking at all the lights instead. Your dog will probably love it too. Bright, sparkly lights, a car ride, and time with their favourite humans. What’s not to love?

Pet Treats

Spend a little time making some treats for you furry little friends. You can do some very simple recipes that are pet-safe and definitely pet-approved. Be sure to throw in that extra dash of love!

Easy Cat Treat Recipe

1/4 cup cooked unseasoned salmon or chicken(chopped)

1/4 cup pure pumpkin puree(no spices added)

1 egg

1/4 cup oat flour

Preheat oven to 350F(175C)

In a bowl, mix all ingredients until it forms a thick dough. Roll the dough into tiny, bite-sized balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until firm or slightly golden. Allow them to cool completely before sharing with your feline friends.

Pet Friendly Treats

Simple recipes, minimal ingredients, and just a few minutes of your time can make yummy treats for your four-legged friends.

Easy Dog Treat Recipe

1/2 cup cooked unseasoned turkey or chicken(shredded)

1/2 cup cooked mashed sweet potato

1 cup whole wheat flour or oat flour

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350F(175C). Mix ingredients into a firm dough. Roll out and cut into shapes and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes.

Allow them to cool completely before sharing. Ignore the puppy dog eyes.

Snowy Evening Snuggle

Grab a warm, cozy blanket, a cup of your favourite warm beverage, a few snacks for you and a few for your fur kids.

Cuddle up on the sofa and watch Christmas movies as a whole family. Or, if you aren’t into Christmas movies, you can watch Die Hard (that’s right, I’m “Team Die Hard Is NOT a Christmas Movie”).

Your pets will love the extra snuggle time and their own special treats too.

Playing in the Snow

Your pet may or may not love the snow, but they do love spending time with you.

Play in the Snow

When the kids are home from school for the holidays, everyone can get a little stir crazy, including your pets. If it’s not too cold or stormy outside, take your pets out to play in the snow.

Even a few minutes outside in the Winter Wonderland can really lift everyone’s spirits, including your pets. Even indoor cats, with a harness and leash might enjoy the novelty of sniffing about in the snow for a few minutes. Their curious nature will make it hard to resist trying to figure out what that cold, fluffy white stuff is all about.

If you take your kids and your dogs sledding, keep your dog on a leash and safely out of the way of the children careening down the icy slopes!

And, if you don’t have kids, that’s okay.

You’re an adult now.

You can do whatever you want, including playing in the snow with your pets.

Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Opening Gifts

You can include your pets in your gift-giving fun too.

Dogs love to get their snouts and paws into gifts, if given the chance. Give them their gift and encourage them and they’ll love it. Just make sure they don’t make a snack out of the wrap. If you choose natural products to wrap their gifts, it’s even safer.

Cats are a little more genteel in their approach to opening their presents. Gift bags or gift boxes with removable lids can turn gift opening into an extra game for your kitty. Let them climb in and explore. That’s half the fun!

Giving Gifts to Your Pets

A cat may enjoy the box or bag you put their gift in, just as much as the gift itself!

The Gift of Time

This is an extra busy time of the year. We tend to over-extend ourselves and have so much to do that sometimes we forget to stop and enjoy those around us. That includes our pets.

Take a breath, look around, and take the love that your pets always have for you.

Give them just a little of your time, and they will give you so much more in return.

Do you have any special traditions that include your pets in your holiday celebrations?

Comment below and let us know!