It is quite unlikely for your dog to know it’s Christmas, but dogs do understand patterns quite well. They put together settings and associations and assume that this might happen again in the future. In the case of Christmas, it can be the decor changes, the presence of people they have not met before, joyful music, flashing lights, and a lot more.
We do not often consider what Christmas day must be like for dogs and how they put up settings and associations. Your dog can either consider Christmas as an exciting celebration or can consider it quite stressful.
On today’s podcast we have come up with what your K9 Buddy’s Christmas perspective might be and the things about it that they probably look forward to, or not, every year.
Let’s dive in…There are a lot of things wrapped in colorful wrappers and I can’t wait to chew on them and pull them apart.Your K9 Buddy can see those presents beautifully wrapped under the Christmas tree and they wonder what those are. According to the experts at Alaska Dog Works, Dogs see more than just black and white. Dogs see color vision like that of the eight percent of the human population who are considered red-green colorblind.
As a curious animal, your dog desperately wants to get their paws on them and find out what’s inside those pretty boxes. Keep in mind to keep those presents out of your K9 Buddy’s reach, at least until Christmas Day.
“So much food but nobody’s giving me any.” What is Christmas without food? And when we say food, our K9 Buddy just seems to always be first in the line. But as much as you’d love to give them their share of human Christmas food, your K9 Buddy will just have to stare, sit there, and watch you while you’re eating.
Some Christmas food can be dangerous for them, especially the ones that include bones that might splinter and injure their GI tract and the ones that can poison them like grapes and chocolates. Instead of giving your dog human food, give them Gnawtlers–these premium antler chews will be able to keep your K9 Buddy preoccupied and away from the Christmas table. These antler chews are safe, all-natural, do not splinter so easily, and full of nutrients.
“I need ear rubs and belly rubs, but mom and dad appear to be busy.” Christmas Day requires so much of our time preparing dinner, fixing last-minute decor touch-ups, welcoming guests, and opening presents that we seem to forget our K9 buddies.
But even with all the hustle and bustle, always make sure to keep watch of your dog’s activities and whereabouts as they might try to escape or do things that are dangerous, like rummaging the trash bin and gnawing on those electric cords and unsafe Christmas decors. To make sure they are safe, keep them inside a crate or place them inside a quiet room, providing them enough food, freshwater, and Gnawtlers to keep them occupied.
“I’m getting new toys??? Wow!” When it comes to Christmas presents, our K9 Buddies are definitely on top of our Nice List (even if they are naughty sometimes haha!) Christmas and the holidays are just some of the days our dogs should get spoiled.
“Mom, dad, and the liquid they are drinking all day has them dancing about and being silly.” Your K9 Buddy doesn’t know what getting tipsy is and so they perceive you to be acting a little strange. This will confuse your K9 Buddy and wonder why you’re all suddenly so weird. But even if you’re all tipsy and enjoying the company of alcohol, make sure your K9 Buddy does not have the chance to drink any alcohol, too. Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia, and a critical case of metabolic acidosis in your K9 Buddy.
“So many people I have never seen before.” It is during Christmas Day and the holidays that we get to see our family members and our close friends once again. For some dogs, visitors are totally fine. But for others, it can be too stressful. Consider providing your K9 Buddy with Pet Parents® Calming SoftSupps® or maybe even CBD Oil. This will help your dog feel calm, relaxed, and will help your K9 Buddy maintain a relaxed disposition.
CHRISTMAS FOR DOGS, ON THE BRIGHTER SIDE
Here are the following things that your K9 Buddy might probably look forward to every year at Christmas time.
The Snow! Snow (in some places all around the world) symbolizes the beginning of winter and the holiday. And most dogs have been waiting a whole year long for the snowflakes to finally hit the ground to play and rollover. Nordic breeds who were bred to survive in snowy conditions like the retrievers and the huskies tend to like snow more compared to dogs with thin coats.
The Attention. The visitor-loving dogs will love all the attention, cuddles, and belly rubs they will get from your dog-loving guests. What a treat!
The Presents. Who doesn’t love presents in the holidays? Even our K9 Buddies do! A new toy? A new collar? A new bed? Whatever your gift to your dog may be, your K9 Buddy simply can’t say no.
Quality time with family. Christmas is all about family and there’s no better season to bond with each other, cuddle, and show each other how much family means to you. Because, really, that is what Christmas must be all about.
To answer, the question does your dog know it’s Christmas, they do get familiar with the changes, the settings, the patterns, and the repetitions, and sometimes, oh how they wish Christmas happens every day! And it’s fun to get them involved with the celebrations at home, too (particularly considering how your K-9 Buddy responds to all the hubbubs).
