How to keep your pooch happy during the holidays
Christmas is just around the corner! While it’s an exciting time to see friends and loved ones, don’t forget about your furry friend who will also want to be part of the celebrations. Here are some easy tips to ensure your pup stays safe – and gets plenty of loving attention – over the holidays.
Preparing for the holiday season
At Hypro Premium we put all our energy into creating the highest-quality pet food to keep your dog happy, healthy and nourished all year long. But we also care about their quality of life, which is why it’s important that owners take a few extra steps over the holidays.
Whether you are involving your dog in the Christmas celebrations or looking to keep them calm during New Year’s Eve fireworks, here are six tips to navigating the silly season with your pooch.
1. Santa delivers for pets too!
In the spirit of giving, why not include your dog in the Christmas Day celebrations? They may not know who Santa is, but they’ll be sure to love any gift they receive. Keeping a present for them under the tree will enrich their lives and make for some great photo opportunities. Whether it’s a squeaky toy or a tasty treat like Hypro Premium Tasty Chews, the options are endless.
2. Normalise their home life as much as possible
We know that the holiday season can be a bit crazy – with hectic schedules, lots of people to see and entertaining on top of everything else. But try to keep things as calm and normal as possible for the benefit of your dog. Extra visitors in the home can be overwhelming for some dogs, with increased energy levels and excitement not always being a positive thing. If you are expecting a busy holiday season, try to at least keep some of their routine intact, such as walking them every morning, keeping their meal times regular and not allowing them to run around unsupervised with young children.
3. Beware the Christmas cables
Bright Christmassy lights are a sure sign that the holidays are here, but they are a potential hazard for curious – and chew-happy – dogs. Lots of cables in and around your home can interest your pooch and potentially put them in a dangerous situation. So it’s important that you keep all lights, cabling and wires as hidden away as possible, or at least high enough that they are out of your dog’s reach.
4. Toxic party foods to avoid
It goes without saying that you should always keep toxic food away from your pet. Especially at Christmas time, there are lots of delicious foods that are great for humans but deadly to dogs. So beware of some of the biggest problem foods:
- Chocolate
- Raisins
- Cooked bones
- Christmas ham
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Xylitol (common in lollies, sauces and puddings)
5. Get your New Year’s Eve plans in order
In all the busyness surrounding New Year’s Eve, it’s easy to forget that this is one of the most stressful times of the year for pets. Not only do many humans leave their pets at home to attend NYE parties, but the fireworks can frighten dogs and even cause them to escape. If you know that fireworks will be happening near you, either stay home to look after your pup, or keep them somewhere safe like the laundry where they won’t be able to run away.
6. Keep things cool throughout summer
Summer in Australia means you can expect most days to be hot! Depending on their breed, your dog may not do well during the sweltering days, so ensure they always have a full bowl of cool water nearby, groom them regularly to remove extra layers of fur, and think about gifting them a cooling mat that they can sit on during the day to maintain their body temperature.
And of course, don’t forget to monitor your dog’s diet over the holiday season – especially if they’ve been enjoying a few extra treats! Explore our Grain Free and Wholegrain products to find your dog the perfect food.
