It’s December again. And, if you’re celebrating Christmas, you’re probably planning Christmas gifts for friends, families, including your furkids.

So, what should you get your dog this Christmas? Maybe a new collar or harness? A shiny bowl? Or a fancy dog bed? Truth is, your dog doesn’t really care about any of that. They don’t care what their collar or harness looks like, or which bowl they eat from.

What they really want this Christmas is You.

Your attention, your presence, your time, doing the things they love together with you.  

Your stinkiest clothes or shoes

You are your dog’s absolute favourite smell in the world. Seriously, nothing beats your scent! A pair of socks, an old T-shirt, or anything that smells like you is pure comfort to them. So why not wrap up something straight from your wardrobe as a “gift”?

Or, if you prefer something new, grab a lightweight throw blanket. The Big Borky Waterproof & Machine Washable Anti-Anxiety Throw Blanket will be perfect. Use it together with your dog, toss it on the couch, snuggle up, let your scent soak in. Before long, that blanket will be their most-loved thing ever (well, besides you)!

A quiet, safe space

Dogs need a lot of sleep. Adult dogs spend between 8 to 13 hours daily sleeping. Puppies and seniors will spend even more time snoozing. That’s even more sleep than what humans need!

Just because they can sleep through a noisy household doesn’t mean they like it. They don’t like to be startled during deep sleep and may even show signs of frustration and aggression. They need a safe, quiet, comfortable place - a personal space - that they can retreat to when things get a little crazy around the house.

So, set up a comfort corner for your pup this Christmas. In most cases, the dog would have picked an area where he’s most comfortable within. Monitor your dog’s behaviour. See where he instinctively goes when he needs some personal space. Move their bed or crate over.

If they need a new bed for their comfort corner, the FuzzYard Reversible Bed with its velvety plush lining and feather-soft filling is a great choice. Select from their many designs and colours.

And, if your pup needs a crate, we’d suggest the Dr.Cage Foldable 3ft Dog Cage. The collapsible design makes it movable and easy for storage.

Dogs don’t need to have a lot to stay happy. A small area is enough. They will happily settle down in their small cosy corner as long as they can see or hear you from time to time.

Sniffs during walks

It can be a little frustrating when your dog insists on stopping to sniff every single thing on their walk. But that’s just how dogs experience the world! Their noses are like our eyes. It’s how a dog explores, learns, and makes sense of everything around them. They love nothing more than when we give them time to sniff instead of rushing on walks.

This Christmas, try slowing down and letting them sniff to their heart’s content. To them, it’s the best part of the walk. And, if you’re in a safe, open area like a park or a big field, switch to a long 4.5m leash and let your dog explore! Give them the freedom to wander and sniff all they want. It’s their version of sightseeing. 

Tasty food and treats

Make this Christmas dinner extra special for your dog!

Dogs love food, especially our human food and the house is going to be filled with all those amazing holiday smells. We are not suggesting that you slip them a bite of your Christmas dinner (tempting, we know), remember that some human food isn’t dog-safe. The good news? There are plenty of festive, pet-friendly treats made just for them. Check out these special holiday-themed snacks or limited-edition dog food. These are much safer holiday treats. They’ll feel included in the celebration without any tummy troubles!

• WildChow Freeze Dried Yogurt Christmas Dog Treats
• PetCubes Treats For Dogs & Cats (Festive Turkey Jerky)
  
• PetCubes Cooked Dog Food (Festive Turkey)
• Providog Frozen Pawlidays Donut Box For Dogs

Consistent routine

Finally, dogs love routine. It makes their world feel safe and predictable. If things have been a bit all over the place lately, use this Christmas holiday break to get back on track. Plan a consistent schedule for walks, meals, playtime, and cuddles. Honestly, that’ll be the best Christmas gift ever for your pup; having you there, doing all their favourite things right on time.

KATHERINE KHOO

Katherine is a Pet Nutrition Specialist and GDP’s Pet Wellness Advisor. She is committed to helping pet owners make informed dietary and lifestyle choices in nurturing healthy pets. Katherine is also a practicing Nutritional Therapist (human nutrition) and has been helping hundreds of clients to heal naturally with nutrients.