It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

5 tips on how to keep your furry besties healthy and happy this silly season

1. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

 It’s almost a tradition to indulge this time of year and forget about your waistline until the new year. While it can be tempting to allow our pets to join in and have some extra treats and leftovers, it’s important to be mindful of what our four legged pals are eating. Ensure that anything you are feeding your dog is in line with their normal diet; many things that make scrumptious snacks for us are toxic for them. While they may fool you with puppy dog eyes, and yes, they are very cute, dogs do not need to eat as much as we do. Even a small amount of weight gain for them can add a considerable amount of increased stress on their body. A trip to the vet is not an ideal Xmas gift! When you are enjoying festivities, check that leftovers or half-way-finished chocolates are up and out of reach of any cheeky mouths. If your dog is particularly good at scrounging, you may want to ensure that any suspected food wrapped under the tree is placed elsewhere. There you go, I’ve just given you an excuse to shake that present and make a guess!

2. Rockin’ around the Christmas tree 

While the smell of pine needles is surely one of the most iconic of Christmas scents, be aware that fallen needles may cause a choking hazard for your pooch if swallowed, and are mildly toxic, potentially irritating the mouth and stomach. Sharp ends may get stuck in paws, leaving your pet limping into 2025. This is easily managed by regularly clearing up any fallen needles. If your dog is particularly boisterous or curious, consider securing your tree so an excited exploration doesn’t end up with a squashed pup. Finally, other festive plants such as mistletoe and holly are poisonous to your pets, so ensure to keep these out of reach if you buy them. Besides that, kissing under the mistletoe means it needs to be up high!

3. Deck the Halls 

Playful hounds may be attracted to your sparkly, glittery Christmas decorations. Dangling there,  swinging in the breeze they’re just oh so tempting. In a similar vein to pine needles, sharp bits of ornament, or winding bits of tinsel, are not going to be ideal for canine stomachs or paws. Decorate to your heart’s desire, but keep them out of reach of curious muzzles.

4. Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Okay, so we might not exactly get a white Christmas here in Hong Kong, but we are heading into the coolest time of the year. As most of you will know in your own bodies, cooler temperatures can sometimes make our joints feel sorer, stiffer, and that bit creakier. Tension from feeling cold can cause muscle spasm, and blood circulation can reduce. Joints are lubricated by synovial fluid, and this can become thicker in cooler temperatures, making it harder to move. Pain sensitivity itself also increases in the cold, so everything can feel like it hurts a little more! Particularly if you have an older dog, make sure they have a nice warm place to sleep, to keep them feeling fabulous. While it may seem counter intuitive to take them out in the cold, it’s important to keep up your exercise routine with your pet. Keeping those joints moving keeps them healthy. When our pets exercise, we keep them fit, strong and mobile. Getting their heart rate up a bit will help keep them warm and happy. If your dog particularly feels the cold, then a light coat for outdoors may help, but ensure you don't overheat them.

5. Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer

Socialising with loved ones is surely one of the best parts of the holiday season, but there are a few things to consider before hosting. Guests may need to be gently reminded of your ground rules for your dogs such as what they can or cannot eat, what furniture they’re allowed on and if they like to socialise or prefer to be left well alone . It is wise to always be wary of young children around your pet, no matter how well you know your dog, children can be unpredictable too. Having people in and out of your home, along with the lights and music of this time of year might be overwhelming for your dog, create a quiet and safe space that your dog can retreat to if needed.  Sticking to your dog’s routine as closely as possible and exercising them before guests arrive can also be a great way to help them feel calm when people arrive.

As we all know, our dogs are only ever the goodest boys and girls, so Santa is sure to be visiting - happy holidays everyone!