Christmas Day is one of the most enjoyable days of the year for most people. For dogs, it can go either way — genuinely wonderful or genuinely overwhelming, depending on how it's managed.
Here's a practical guide to making it brilliant for both of you.
Christmas Morning: Start Right
Walk first, gifts second. A walked dog is a calmer dog. Get out early — before the chaos of the morning builds — and give your dog a proper walk. This sets the tone for the whole day. A dog who has had their exercise is significantly better placed to handle everything that follows.
Normal breakfast, normal time. Keep their feeding routine intact. The temptation to give them Christmas dinner scraps at breakfast is understandable but sets a difficult precedent for the rest of the day.
The Gift Opening Moment
Let the dog be involved but manage it. Dogs and wrapping paper is an excellent combination — they find the tearing, the smell of what's inside, and the human excitement genuinely engaging. The key is knowing what you're giving them before they get into it.
Have their Christmas treats and toy ready. When they rip into their stocking or gift, let them discover natural Christmas treats — something that smells extraordinary and tastes like a genuine upgrade. The reaction is worth having on video.
Managing Guests
Brief every guest before they arrive, not when they're already inside: let the dog approach you first, don't give them food from the table, ignore them if they jump up rather than rewarding it with attention. These simple rules prevent most Christmas Day dog-management issues.
Give the dog a long-lasting natural chew during the meal — this keeps them occupied and calm while the humans eat, without requiring management from a table full of people who are trying to enjoy Christmas dinner.
The Afternoon: Quiet Time
After the morning excitement and the meal, most dogs need a proper rest. Make sure their bed is accessible and undisturbed. Dogs who don't get adequate rest after high-stimulation periods become increasingly reactive as the day goes on.
Christmas Dinner: What They Can and Can't Have
Safe in moderation: Plain turkey (no bones), cooked plain vegetables (carrot, green beans, parsnip in small amounts), plain cooked potato
Never give: Turkey bones (any cooked bones), stuffing (onion and garlic), gravy (too rich and often contains onion), anything with raisins or sultanas, chocolate, alcohol
The safest approach is their normal dinner, served normally, with a special natural treat from our treats range as their Christmas extra.
👉 Make Christmas brilliant for your dog — browse our gifts here
