Stress free Christmas for your dog 

Here are some tools to help better prepare your dog for the festive season. These can help you and your dog to have a stress free Christmas.

Christmas can be a stressful time of the year for many dogs. Many families and friends will be coming together to enjoy the festivities together. Our homes are often a quiet calm place for our pets, but Christmas can generally mean a significant change. 

The Kennel Club, recently found that nearly a quarter of pet owners reported behavioural changes in their dogs over the festive period. Suddenly our peaceful homes are bustling with energy. Your home may suddenly contain a large tree, flashing lights, decorations, wrapped gifts, excited children and unfamiliar smells. All of these items can cause stress. We often have unfamiliar visitors in the house or people staying overnight. This can cause stress and anxiety for your dog as well.  We will try to give you some tools to help better prepare your dog for the festive season.

Tips to help reduce stress at home 

• Change things gradually. For example, when putting the decorations up in the home do it gradually. This gives your dog a chance to acclimatise to their changing surroundings. This can give you a good start to your stress free Christmas.

• Dogs love routine. Primarily, keep to their usual walking and feeding times as this is reassuring to them. Secondly, water bowls and feed bowls should be easily accessible in a quieter area of the house. Keep them away from all the guests and excitement. 

• Guests may be keen to make friends with your dog. Ensure you encourage them to allow your dog to come to them in their own time. 

• Create a safe place like a den or a room or even use a baby gate to separate part of the room or house for your dog. Make sure it has a warm cosy bed in it. This ensures that your dog has some where to retreat to when they want to escape the excitement. Make sure there is fresh water close by and toys to keep them occupied. 

• Monitor room temperature, anxious dogs can be prone to overheating. 

• Make sure that visitors, particularly excitable children, understand that the dogs safe place is off limits. It is important that they should leave your dog alone when they are in the safe place. 

Travelling tips - how to reduce stress

If you are going to be travelling with your dog over the festive period, it’s vital to ensure they are safe and not stressed or anxious. 

• Take toys and games to keep your dog occupied on the journey or at your destination. Don’t suddenly change your routine and ignore your dog. If they are used to lots of play and interaction, they will feel isolated. Take time to make sure they get the normal level of interaction with you. 

• Stick to their feeding and walking routines. Check in advance for local walks, parks, and exercise areas you could take your dog to.  

• Take all your dog’s normal food, medications, and bedding with you. Your dog will then have familiar smells. Make sure you look up numbers for local emergency vets just in case.  

Other ways you can help to have stress free Christmas

There are various stress relieving options on the market to further aid your dog if you feel they are needed. Its advisable you consult your veterinary team before starting any new supplements. 

Dog Appeasing Pheromones sold in various formulations and they release a chemical copy of appeasing pheromones that lactating bitches produce when they are nursing their pups. It tells dogs that they are in a safe place and that they can relax. There is some evidence to show that this can reduce stress when used in conjunction with some of the methods already discussed. 

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for us all and its important to bear in mind the impact we might be having on our dog. Taking a few precautions early can ensure the whole family will have a fun and safe festive period.