Dog, North Wales
Pet Friendly Christmas Activities
Pet Friendly Christmas Activities are a must to share in the Christmas magic. As festive cheer begins to fill our homes. The streets become a mass of colourful lights that twinkle through the darkest of evenings. We know this is a sign that Christmas isn’t too far.
We’re not the only ones that notice the changes in our homes and neighbourhood. These new and exciting smells don’t go unnoticed by our four-legged friends and our dogs don’t go unnoticed by us.
More and more families are getting their dogs involved with this seasonal celebration. Thinking of dog-friendly ways to share the joy of Christmas both in and out of the house.
We have created a list of activities both in and out of the home. That both you and your four-legged family member can enjoy.
Pet Friendly Christmas Activities Outside Of The Home
Christmas Lights
- Watching the Christmas lights being turned on is pencilled into most people’s diaries. The excitement that in a few weeks’ time the man in the red suit will be making an appearance. This is the perfect time to involve your dog at the beginning of the Christmas celebrations. Why not wrap up, take some treats for your pooch and enjoy this moment together?
Dog Park at petplace
- We have our own Christmas parties with friends. Why not get a group of your dog’s favourite four-legged pals and head over to the Dog Park in Abergele? We couldn’t think of a better place to be throughout December. Especially when the temperatures begin to get colder, with heavy rainfall and sometimes snow. Create a secret Santa Paws between friends and exchange gifts at our coffee bar. Over some delicious festive treats for both humans and dogs. The perfect Christmas gift for your pooch, this will be a great one for the memory book.
5k Santa Dash
- For those wanting to do something a little different to get into the Christmas spirit. Why not head down to the pier in Llandudno with your four-legged friend and join in the 5K Santa Dash? It’s great fun and you will receive your own Santa suit and a medal for taking part. For those that don’t want to run, why not get into the spirit with some of our festive Christmas Jumpers. Like the Rudolf Cosy Fit for your dog and cheer the runners along?
Ffestiniog Welsh Highland Railway
- Book onto the Ffestiniog Welsh Highland Railway for a magical train journey this December, taking in some of the most beautiful views. Some of the trains will be beautifully decorated, therefore carrying your dog onto the train is advised to protect curious dogs from playing with some of the delicate objects throughout the carriages. Santa Clause and his elves will be seen handing out gifts inside the magical Carriage Grotto.
Betws-y-Coed Christmas Markets
- Not sure what gifts to get for the family, this is a great excuse to head to Betws-y-Coed, a dog’s haven. Why not explore the memorising views Betws has to offer with your dog and finish your day with a walk around the Christmas markets? You will be guaranteed to pick up some authentic treasures which will be great as gifts for yourself or others.
Greenwood Forest Park
- Another forest park offering to bring some magic into your world is Greenwood Forest Park. Bring your dog along the festive trail, through the mystical forest filled with glimmering lights. This will be quite the adventure for the whole family. Dogs must be kept on a short lead and supervised at all times.
Remember to be a responsible pet parent in places open to the public. Pack a bag for your dog with treats, water, poo bags. Perhaps a reflective collar/lead or torch to create awareness of your dog both to other walkers and dogs. This will help keep your dogs feeling safe, happy and calm when walking in the darker evening.
Pet Friendly Christmas Activities At Home
Whilst there are many activities in North Wales that welcome dogs, sometimes nothing beats the traditions created at home.
Advent Calendars for Dogs
- The excitement of opening the small doors on an advent calendar brings two minutes of great joy. Now this moment can be shared with your dog. Thanks to Rosewood and their Cupid & Comet Advent calendars filled with delicious dog-safe treats.
Baking for Dogs
- Christmas baking is a must, Oggi’s oven has created some easy-to-bake treat mixes, get your own festive cookie cutters and bake your dog some seasonal treats or pop them in a jar for that perfect Christmas gift for any dog in your life. The Doggy Baking Co has beautifully packaged cake and biscuit mixes these are great for gifts and their bottles can be reused as storage containers.
Gift Stockings for Dogs
- Hanging up Christmas Stockings and leaving out your four-legged family member is sinful. Involve them in this popular tradition. It might be wise to only include soft toys and non-edible items until the morning of Christmas, especially for any households where spaniels might be left alone.
Xmas Cards for Dogs
- Some families like to create their own Christmas cards to send to friends and family, including your four-legged family member. Dab their paw into pet-safe ink to sign the card.
Festive Jumpers for Dogs
- Christmas Jumpers are a great way to get into the festive spirit, they add some fun and colour to the month. Thanks to James & Steel we have a wonderful selection of Christmas Jumpers to bring some festive cheer into your dog’s world.
Christmas Parties for Dogs
- Why not hold a Christmas party in the house, and invite some friends and their dogs? Stock up on dog-friendly festive treats, play some fun games and finish the day off with a long winter’s walk. This could become a Christmas tradition everyone can get involved in.
Christmas Gifts for Dogs
- Spoil them with their own Christmas gifts because everyone including your pooch enjoys something new. This will also keep them occupied when the family are opening their own Christmas gifts.
Top Tips On Keeping Your Pets Safe This Christmas
Although Christmas is a time for celebrations. It’s important to remember the most innocent of things can pose a threat to dogs.
Christmas Decorations
The excitement of putting up the Christmas decorations and the festive feel they bring into the home is probably one of the most important parts of this season for most people as the countdown can now begin. Everyone has their own traditions, who will put the star on the tree and what special ornaments will be placed, some old and some new.
Unfortunately, Christmas decorations can be unsafe for pets. Shiny hanging baubles are tempting to dogs, the only issue is they don’t bounce. Instead, they break into small sharp pieces that can pierce their skin and get lodged. Make sure any hanging and breakable items are placed out of reach to prevent this from happening.
Christmas Food
Food is another hazard at Christmas and there is usually a lot of it. Chocolate is extremely toxic for dogs, especially dark. It’s very easy to forget to put the lid back on that box of roses. Or for young children to leave pieces in different places throughout the house. Keep a watch out because your four-legged friends will demolish whatever they can get their paws onto. Which could mean an emergency trip to the vet.
Other types of food that can harm your pets are onions, they cause your dog anaemia and low sugar levels. If you are making your pooch their own special Christmas lunch. Avoid topping it off with gravy or including any stuffing as this can sometimes contain traces of onion.
Avoid giving any bones to dogs because they can pierce through their insides. Causing a lot of damage as well as blocking their gut.
Anything with raisins or sultanas such as mince pies and Christmas pudding. Are also on the list of dangerous foods for your dogs. Be sensible and keep all these foods out of reach.
Food isn’t the only danger that leaves the kitchen. Alcohol can harm pets and is easily forgotten, especially after a few glasses. Avoid leaving alcohol on low coffee tables or beside fireplaces where dogs will have easy access.
Christmas Plants
Decoration and Food shouldn’t be the only concern throughout the festive season.
There are some highly toxic plants that make their way into people’s homes. Poinsettia is a very popular Christmas plant. Unfortunately, the vibrant red leaves it is known for can cause mouth irritations, drooling, along with vomiting.
Mistletoe unfortunately doesn’t have much love when it comes to dogs. The plant known for sharing a Christmas kiss can create issues for dogs, such as difficulties breathing, diarrhoea and vomiting.
If using a real Christmas tree the pine needles that fall must be swept away. They are toxic to our four-legged friends.
As always, if you have any questions regarding your dogs over the Christmas period. Call in to one of our stores where you can speak to a member of our team. They can give you advice on the different pet-friendly items we stock at Christmas. Alternatively, you can always reach out to a member of our team via our website or social channels.
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