There’s so much to celebrate every December.
From Christmas and Kwanzaa to Hanukkah and the ringing in of the New Year, it’s the season when we gather with all the people we love, to make memories we’ll never forget.
For pet parents, these occasions are made all the more special thanks to our non-human family members who love to be included and involved in all the holiday fun.
“It's a big time for family,” says Adam Woodward, Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations at Pet Valu. “Everyone comes together, and at our house we light it up and decorate like crazy. We’ve added to our pet family over the years and they become part of the holiday celebrations.”
Woodward is fondly known among his colleagues as being “Christmas crazy,” as he and his three dogs and two cats do a lot to make memorable moments each year.
“My pets wear Christmas apparel, we buy them Christmas cookies, and this year they’re getting an advent calendar,” he says. “On Christmas morning they all get gifts, and this year they’re also getting a stocking.”
To make the most of this special time of year, we spoke with our animal care experts who shared tips and advice for having the happiest and healthiest holiday season possible — one that you, your family, and your furry, scaly, or feathery BFF will always remember.
Pets are smart and sensitive, and like us, they can feel the holiday excitement in the air. They know that something is up and it’s on us to let them know that it’s a good thing.
Include them in the festivities by getting them a special gift — whether it’s a practical item like a cat fountain or something that’s just for fun, like a cozy sweater to match one in your own collection.
If you love the tradition of advent calendars like our very own Adam Woodward, you can make or buy one for your pet this season as a special way to mark each day of the season with a small treat.
Or if getting crafty is your thing, use your pet as inspiration and create something that celebrates them and the time you spend together. Paw print ornaments are easy and adorable. DIY pet stockings are fun to make and fill. Even a simple at-home pet portrait, a picture with Santa, or a snowy outdoor photoshoot can make for both a great gift and a lasting memory of a holiday spent together.
“Pets are part of the family, and when you involve them in holiday celebrations it makes for memorable moments you just don’t forget,” says Woodward.
Whether you’re getting together with a group of friends or having a family event, hosting a pet-friendly gathering is a nice way to allow pet parents to spend more time with their four- during the busy holiday season.
If you’re going to be hosting multiple pets in your home, their safety will be your biggest party priority. For example, though your dog might be a shining example of “petiquette”, their behaviour can change with the introduction of other pets in their space.
Also, while your animal might exhibit little to no interest in holiday decor, a guest’s pet might see your poinsettia as a viable snack option.
Of course, even in a party setting people need to keep a close eye on pets, but reducing the number of risks to their safety makes that job a lot easier for everyone. If you’re hosting this season, put the toxic plants out of reach for the day.
“If you are new to holiday celebrations with a pet, you really need to think about changes you bring to your house,” says Woodward. “It can be stressful, and be aware of where you leave things like decorations and food. Sometimes puppies like to go counter surfing for food so don’t leave food out where new pups can get into trouble.”
Keeping people food out of reach is important — especially chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, or anything with chives, onions, or garlic which can be harmful for your pet. Instead, make sure you have plenty of animal-appropriate snacks and chews on hand.
If adults and kids who are unfamiliar with pet parenthood will also be attending a gathering, make sure to fill them in on the fact that the pets in attendance have their own specific food, as tempting as it is to share with them.
Celebrating with kids and pets? Show them how an animal might communicate when they’re done playing or finished with cuddle-time and need some space.
And above all, ask your pet parent guests to be responsible for keeping track of what their animal is up to at all times.
Whether they’re invited to the party or not, your pet might get a little stressed around the holidays. Pets love routine — regular walks, mealtime, and your daily presence in their lives. All of the above are often disrupted during this busy season, potentially creating some anxiety for them.
You know your pet best. It’s possible that while you love the idea of attending a pet-friendly party, they would prefer not to be in a big group or in another animal’s home. It’s also possible that while you’re hosting a gathering of your own, they’d prefer to be snoozing in their secret spot under the bed.
Don’t force them into situations where they’ll be uncomfortable. Or, if you notice them getting uncomfortable midway through a gathering or event, find a calm and quiet spot where they can retreat and recharge.
If your pet experiences anxiety around this time of year, veterinarian Dr. Garrett Schuilenberg advises trying out a pheromone-based product (typically a spray or plug-in diffuser) to help your pet feel calmer. If your dog or cat suffers from severe anxiety, ask your vet about short- and long-term anti-anxiety treatment options to help them deal with these times of heightened stress.
Some of the biggest holiday health hazards for pets are the foods we love, so knowing which of these items pose serious risks to their health is important.
At the top of the list is chocolate. Even moulded in the shape of a jolly Santa, it’s dangerous to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate is especially bad due to its higher cocoa content. And while a tiny bit of chocolate might only cause gastrointestinal issues for your pet, “With higher cocoa content in dark and baker’s chocolate,” says Dr. Schuilenberg, “you can run into some pretty scary stuff.”
The same goes for grapes and raisins. “Both are toxic,” Dr. Schuilenberg explains. “Basically they cause kidney toxicity so we can run into kidney failure. It's not very standard across the board either. Some dogs are incredibly sensitive — they have one grape and go into complete renal failure. We don't really understand it well, but it's better to just stay away from grapes and raisins in general for dogs and cats.”
Some of the lesser-known food items that can lead to big trouble for pets are macadamia nuts which can cause hyperthermia in dogs, alliums such as onions and garlic contain toxins that damage their red blood cells, and artificial sweeteners.
“Xylitol is in sugar-free gum and in some peanut butters,” Dr. Schuilenberg says. “Xylitol seems to be only really toxic to dogs, and it'll be in lots of candies and things like that. It can cause uncontrollable seizures. The dose isn’t very high either. So even a single piece of gum could be enough for some dogs.”
Even foods that seem animal-appropriate might not be. The bones leftover from your holiday meal aren’t of the same quality as bones that you would buy at a pet retailer.
“Bone shards are very, very sharp,” says Dr. Schuilenberg. “They can puncture stomach lining or intestinal lining. Perforation in the intestines of the bowel will quickly make your dog very sick and very quickly lead to death.”
If a pet ingests any of the above, don’t wait, consult a vet or pet poison helpline immediately for guidance on how to best treat the situation.
Think: cats who can’t resist climbing a Christmas tree, the allure (and associated gastrointestinal blockages) of tinsel and ribbons, open flames like candles and fireplaces, and holiday lights — both their bulbs and their cords.
In the event that your pet does need veterinary attention during the holidays, it’s a good idea to be prepared ahead of time. Dr. Schuilenberg says vets are often very busy during the holidays, and like so many of us, may be working shorter hours.
“Most clinics will put out a public posting to say what their holiday hours are and what the closest emergency clinic will be. Be on the lookout for Instagram, Facebook posts, and things like that, and write that information down or screenshot that photo,” he advises. “In general, I would have a list of emergency clinics that are close by.”
Prevention, however, is the best strategy. Dr. Schuilenberg says that vets are currently overwhelmed by an increase in pet ownership and that this is exacerbated during the holidays.
According to Statistics Canada job vacancies for vets and technicians rose by nearly 20% in 2022 while pet populations continue to increase. “We have fewer vets and more patients and fewer support staff and more patients. It's just a lot harder to manage,” he explains.
“During the holiday time we anticipate seeing more cases. Your regular vet is going to see more animals, but that means your emergency vet is also going to see more animals, so they're going to have to triage and pick what's most critical. Your very sick pet might not be able to get in anywhere.”
Safety is important every holiday season, but as we wrap up the year it’s an opportunity for pet parents to celebrate the year that was, and the year ahead with their animal family members.
We want this holiday season to be filled with happy and healthy experiences for both you and your pets. Make the most of this happy time while keeping their needs in mind. Above all, enjoy their company — the time we have with our pets is the best gift of all.
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