Christmas is all about family. With most people thinking of dogs as part of the family, you will want to include them in your Holiday fun. There are several ways you can do that. Here are some ideas.

Family Photo Shoots: Many families have holiday themed photo shoots, and it goes without saying that you’ll want to include your dog. If your dog has the right temperament, you can have them wear a Santa hat or a red bandana for the photo. After the pics are taken, you can display them in your home or give them to friends in lieu of a card.

Have a Snow Day: Dogs love to play in the snow. If you are considering heading out for a romp in the white stuff, be sure to take your pup along. They will have the time of their lives.

Bake Special Treats: Sugar cookies and other holiday treats aren’t healthy for dogs to eat. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own dog-friendly goodies. A simple internet search will provide countless recipes for doggie desserts that are perfect for the Christmas season.

Give Them Gifts: When you’re exchanging gifts, don’t forget about your dog. He or she will love a new collar, a cozy bed, and various chew toys.

Give to an Animal Charity: Christmas is a great time to think about dogs that aren’t as fortunate as yours. You can give them a helping hand by donating money or your time.

Hanging Dog Themed Decorations: If you truly love dogs, you will want to make them part of your holiday decorations. You can do this by hanging dog ornaments on your tree, including dog figurines in your winter scenes, and more. You can even personalize by making an ornament with a picture of your dog.

Attend Local Pet Events: There are tons of pet events that happen during the holiday season each year. These include pet pictures with Santa, shelter fundraising walks, pet-friendly parties and more. Which will you be taking your pet to?

Keep Your Decorations Pet Friendly: Your dog will get excited during the holiday season and want to play with your decorations. Unfortunately, this can be dangerous considering all the hazards ornaments can cause if your dog eats them or breaks them. You can keep your decorations pet-friendly by hanging fragile ornaments out of reach and putting plastic ones on lower branches. Pet-safe cord-protectors will also help.

Christmas is a great time for dogs. Make sure they are having as much fun as possible by taking them out, including them in pictures, cooking special treats for them, and creating pet-friendly décor. How do you make your pet feel like part of the family during the holiday season?

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