Fun Christmas Activities For Pets To Keep Them Engaged
You’ve got the turkey in the oven, the stuffing on the stove, and the table perfectly set for your Christmas Day feast. But while you’re busy hosting family and friends, your furry companions are anxiously awaiting some attention from you. Rather than leaving your pets out of the festivities, include them in the fun with some activities to keep them entertained on Christmas Day. In this blog article, we will give you some fun ideas for Christmas activities for pets to keep them entertained and engaged during the holiday season.
So Read On!
Fun Christmas Activities For Pets To Keep Entertained And Engaged
From puzzle toys to photo shoots, there are plenty of ways for your pets to join in the holiday cheer without disrupting your dinner plans or begging for table scraps. In this section, we will talk about some fun activities that you can do with your pets that are sure to make this Christmas and New Year’s celebrations memorable for every member of the family, whether they have two legs or four.
Here are some fun Christmas activities for pets:
Make A Holiday Advent Calendar For Pets
You can make a pet-perfect advent calendar with treats or toys for your pet to unwrap everyday until Christmas. This is a great way to include your pet in one of your favorite festive traditions.
Play Treasure Hunting With Your Dog
You can play doggy treasure hunting with your pet by hiding some yummy treats or parcels around the house or garden and letting them use their nose to find them. This is a fun way to engage your pet and also work on some scent exercises.
Take Your Pets To See The Christmas Lights
You can take your pets to outdoor light displays and enjoy the festive atmosphere together. Or you can enjoy the lights from the comfort of your car. This is a great idea for pets who love to explore new places and sights.
Spend Time Outdoors With Your Pet
If the weather is nice, spend some time outside together. Play fetch, go for a walk, or just sit in the yard while your pet explores. The fresh air and extra space will do you both good. If you have guests coming over, then take your dog for an extra walk. Exercising your pup before guests arrive will help burn off energy and make them more likely to relax.
If you live in an area where it snows during Christmas, then you can have a whole family snowball fight. Your dog will surely have a lot of fun trying to catch all the snowballs that you throw at them. In the case of big dogs like Golden Retrievers, Siberian Husky, German Shepherds, Border Collie that can run long distance, then you can go sledding or cross-country skiing in the snow.
Involve Your Pets In Your Traditions
Making sure your furry family members feel part of the celebration will ensure a happy holiday season for everyone involved. With some extra attention and activities to keep them entertained, you’ll have the perfect recipe for a pet-friendly Christmas Day. You can also try starting some new holiday traditions with your pet so that they get more opportunities to spend time with you.
For instance, you can have a whole family photo session with your pet wearing either matching Christmas PJs or ugly sweaters and have a fun baking session with your fur babies. You can also take your dog to visit Santa Claus at the mall or bring them along with you to choose a Christmas tree.
Bring Out The Toys To Keep Them Distracted
Pets love routine and they get stressed whenever there are any unexpected changes to their daily routine. Holidays are therefore one of the most stressful times for our pets since a lot of new or unexpected things such as meeting new people, travelling to new places and loud and unfamiliar noises usually happen during this time of the year. If you have a sensitive pet, then small things like putting up Christmas tree and other holiday decorations and frequent package deliveries can also stress them out.
So bust out the laser pointer, feather toy, or rope for some interactive play to keep them distracted during the holiday celebrations. Try to spend some quality time each day with your pets. You can play tug of war, make the cat chase the laser dot, or tease your cat with a feather to give them exercise and mental stimulation.
You can also give your pets puzzle toys that dispense their favorite treats, which are sure to keep them occupied for hours. Fill a Kong toy with peanut butter and kibble, or get a puzzle ball that rolls and spins. As your pet bats, chases, and paws at the toy, treats will fall out to reward them. Finally, try to maintain as normal a routine as possible for your pets during the holidays.
If you are having a Christmas or new year’s eve party at your house, then designate a quiet space away from the main gathering for your pets to decompress. Place their beds, toys, litter boxes, food, and water in an area like the laundry room, basement or spare bedroom. That way, they have their own space to escape if they feel overwhelmed.
Brush And Groom Thoroughly For Some Extra TLC
Grooming your pet is a great way to bond with them and keeps them looking their best for any photos. Make sure to give your pet some extra grooming attention before or on the big day. Brush their coat, bathe them, trim their nails, and clean their ears. If you have a cat, make sure to thoroughly brush their fur to prevent hairballs.
Bathing can be relaxing and help them unwind from an exciting day. Be sure to use pet-specific shampoo and grooming tools to keep them comfortable. Reward them with praise, treats, and belly rubs for being on their best behavior.
Happy Holidays!
So there you go — some fun Christmas activities for pets to keep your furry friends entertained during the festive season. Between puzzle toys, interactive play, training sessions, and good old-fashioned quality time, you’ll be able to keep your pets happy and occupied.
But most important of all, take a moment amid the madness of the holidays to appreciate your pets and the unconditional love they provide. Give them an extra hug, belly rub or treat—they deserve it for sticking by your side through it all. Hope you and your pets have a wonderful holiday season!
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