Christmas With Pets
Christmas With Your Pet: 20 Cozy Traditions to Start This Year
Ask anyone about a favorite Christmas and a pet often turns up in the story: the dog who “helped” unwrap everything, the cat who claimed the tree skirt. Traditions are just memories you decide to repeat. Here are twenty to choose from — for dogs, cats and every companion — and the safety basics that keep the season happy.
Traditions for the weeks before
- The first-snow walk. Or the first frosty morning, wherever you live. Same route every year.
- A winter-view portrait by the window, with the season outside.
- The warm-home portrait: blanket, lamp light, slow blink.
- Choose an ornament with their story — their name, their year, or something that reminds you of them.
- Make their “winter corner”: a bed away from the busiest room for when the house gets loud.
- A quiet holiday film night together.
- An advent of small things: a new sniff route, a puzzle feeder, ten minutes of brushing.
Traditions for Christmas Day
- Document your holiday morning — one photo before anyone opens anything.
- A gift they can actually enjoy: a new chew, a puzzle toy, a long sniffy walk.
- The household portrait. Everyone in it, pets included, nobody looking at the camera. Perfect.
- Let them unwrap something made of plain paper, supervised.
- A calm walk before the guests arrive.
- A quiet room break mid-afternoon for the pet (and maybe you).
- Ask a guest to write one line about your pet in a notebook. Do it every year.
Traditions for the days after
- A slow Boxing Day walk.
- A winter indoor game — hide and seek with treats works for dogs and many cats.
- Print the best holiday photo. Actually print it.
- Write the year’s funniest pet moment.
- A thank-you note to whoever helped care for them this year.
- A new-year walk to begin again.
Holiday safety for dogs and cats
Keep these out of reach: chocolate, xylitol-sweetened treats and gum, grapes, raisins and currants (think fruitcake and mince pies), cooked bones, fatty leftovers, and alcohol.
Plants: lilies are extremely dangerous to cats — even pollen or vase water. Mistletoe and holly can cause serious upset; poinsettias are usually mildly irritating. When in doubt, choose artificial.
Tree and decorations: anchor the tree, skip tinsel if you have a cat, keep glass ornaments high, cover cords and don’t let pets drink tree water.
If you suspect poisoning, call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic straight away. In North America, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) can also help; fees may apply.
Make the season a memory
The tree comes down in January. The story can stay. Our interactive book has nine winter and holiday experiences — including “Our holiday morning”, “The tree, or our winter corner” and “An ornament with a story” — plus a holiday chapter for your traditions. See Your Pet Memory, or browse our list of thoughtful gifts for pet lovers.
FAQ
What can I give my dog for Christmas?
Something they can enjoy safely: a durable chew, a puzzle feeder, a new toy, or simply time — a long walk somewhere new.
Are Christmas trees safe for cats?
Usually, with precautions: anchor the tree, skip tinsel and ribbon, keep breakable ornaments high and stop access to the tree water.
General information only — ask your veterinarian about your own pet.
