If you’re a fan of these delicious Scottish cookies, you know how addictive they can be. Your dog may think so, too. Made with just a few simple ingredients, shortbread has been made in Scotland since at least the 12^th century. Today they are famous around the world. Can dogs have shortbread cookies? Let’s find out.

Shortbread Nutrition

Unlike many cakes and cookies – especially those which are popular during the holidays – shortbread has only a few ingredients. The traditional recipe calls for one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts plain wheat flour. It doesn’t contain any leavening or rising agent such as baking powder or yeast. Some modern recipes do make changes to the kind of flour used or they may add various spices and ingredients such as almonds. However, for the most part, shortbread today is still a rather simple cookie or biscuit.

In terms of nutrition, one cookie (12 grams) contains 61 calories with 28 calories from fat. It has 3.1 grams of fat (5 percent), 42 mg of sodium (2 percent), 10 mg of potassium, 7.5 grams of carbohydrates (3 percent), 0.1 grams of dietary fiber (1 percent), 2.6 grams of sugars, and 0.6 grams of protein.

Shortbread only contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals. It has 0.1 percent calcium and 2 percent iron. It also has a small amount of magnesium.

It is free of cholesterol and it’s low in saturated fat.

Almost half the calories in shortbread come from carbohydrates. Slightly less than half of the calories came from fat.

Some of the nutritional information may vary depending on the kind of flour used to make the shortbread.

If you want to try to make shortbread yourself, this flour page has a good recipe and some baking tips. Don’t try to take shortcuts (no pun intended). As someone who has tried (and failed) to make shortbread before finally getting it right, follow the instructions to the letter. It’s harder than it seems even though there are only a handful of ingredients. It’s worth the effort!

Is Shortbread Safe for Dogs?

There is nothing in most shortbread that would be toxic to dogs. The only exception would be if you happened to have some exotic homemade shortbread that contained nutmeg. In that case, you should not let your dog have any of it. It would be unusual to find nutmeg in shortbread.

It is possible that someone could add macadamia nuts to shortbread. If there are nuts in the shortbread you buy or receive as a gift, always make sure you know what kind they are. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Dogs that eat macadamia nuts can experience vomiting, ataxia (loss of coordination), weakness, hyperthermia, and central nervous system depression. If your dog eats shortbread that contains macadamia nuts, contact your veterinarian.

There are some sugar-free shortbread recipes online for people on keto and paleo diets that call for the use of xylitol. As you probably know, xylitol is poisonous to dogs. Anything “sugar-free” today is likely to contain xylitol. Either check the label to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol; or, just don’t let your dog have any shortbread or other food that might contain this ingredient.

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of your dog’s blood sugar, such as decreased activity, weakness, staggering, incoordination, collapse and seizures.

If you think your dog has eaten food containing xylitol, take him to your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Because hypoglycemia and other serious adverse effects may not occur in some cases for up to 12 to 24 hours, your dog may need to be hospitalized for medical monitoring.

Otherwise, there shouldn’t be anything toxic to dogs in shortbread. That doesn’t mean that shortbread is a healthy food for your dog. It’s made with lots of sugar and butter. If your dog happens to steal a box of shortbread and stuffs himself, he could have an upset stomach overnight, experience some vomiting and/or diarrhea. If the symptoms from his binge do not abate after 24 hours, call your veterinarian.

What If Your Dog Eats Shortbread Cookies?

Eating one or two shortbread cookies shouldn’t be harmful to most dogs unless they have a health condition that would be affected by the ingredients in shortbread. Diabetic dogs and dogs that are overweight or obese should not eat shortbread because of the sugar, fat, and calories.

For dogs that don’t have these health conditions, eating a small amount of shortbread should not cause a problem as long as the shortbread doesn’t contain any unusual ingredients such as nutmeg or xylitol. You would not expect shortbread to contain chocolate, raisins, currants, or other ingredients that are harmful to dogs. Shortbread has a crumbly texture because of all the butter used. It doesn’t hold most added ingredients like many other cookies and cakes. However, it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients and read the label.

How Many Shortbread Cookies Can You Give Your Dog?

Considering all of the butter and sugar used in shortbread, it’s best if you don’t let your dog have many shortbread cookies. Even though these ingredients are not toxic, they are very rich and they can upset your dog’s digestion.

Depending on the size of the cookie and the size of the dog, one or two shortbread cookies would be plenty if you want to share.

If your dog has any specific health conditions or if you have questions, it’s always best to ask your veterinarian before giving your dog a treat such as shortbread.

How Often Can You Give Your Dog Shortbread Cookies?

Since shortbread does contain so much butter and sugar, it’s best if you don’t let your dog have it very often. You could let your dog have a shortbread cookie once per week.

It’s better for your dog if you give him healthy treats and snacks that are made for dogs.

Conclusion

Most dogs will happily munch on shortbread if they have the opportunity. In general, plain shortbread is not harmful to dogs in small amounts. However, it does contain lots of butter and sugar so it’s not a very healthy treat for your dog. An occasional shortbread cookie won’t harm most dogs as long as they aren’t diabetic or overweight/obese, but it’s best if dogs eat healthier treats that are made for them.

Gingerbread is one of those seasonal foods that seems to magically appear as Christmas approaches. You can actually buy kits in stores with pre-made gingerbread to put together gingerbread houses, if you are baking-challenged. Gingerbread cookies, gingerbread men, and other baked goods, often festively decorated, are holiday favorites. With so much gingerbread around, your dog might be tempted to help himself to a piece. Is gingerbread safe for pets? The answer might surprise you.

Gingerbread Nutrition

No one is going to claim that gingerbread cookies, cakes, and the like are healthy foods but they are not as bad as some of the confections that are pure sugar.

One gingerbread cookie (37 grams) contains 134 calories with 29 calories from fat. They have 3.3 grams of fat or 5 percent fat. They have 5 percent cholesterol, 103 mg of sodium (4 percent), 137 mg of potassium (4 percent), 24 grams of carbohydrates (8 percent), 0.6 grams of dietary fiber (2 percent), 12 grams of sugar, and 1.9 grams of protein. They also contain 2 percent vitamin A, 4 percent calcium, and 7 percent iron.

Typical ingredients for a gingerbread cookie:

This recipe doesn’t happen to include nutmeg but some recipes do use the spice. Nutmeg is the reason why many people feel that gingerbread is not safe for dogs, although the sugar isn’t especially healthy either.

Ginger-type cookies (gingerbread, gingersnaps, etc.) do contain a lot of sugar and fat (from the butter) but they also contain some essential nutrients which are beneficial. They boost the body’s iron and manganese intakes. Iron is necessary for energy production and it supports tissue health, helping red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues. Manganese helps with wound healing and supports the metabolism.

These cookies also provide niacin and folate. Niacin promotes healthy cell development, controls gene activity, and aids cellular communcation. Folate helps with red blood cell production and healthy cell growth.

Gingersnaps are also helpful for dogs (and pregnant women) with an upset stomach, especially dogs that are carsick. Ginger, in general, appears to help overcome nausea – claims backed up by a review of research published in the March 2014 issue of Nutrition Journal.

Is Gingerbread Safe for Pets?

Dogs should not be given gingerbread that contains nutmeg. Nutmeg is a toxin for dogs because it contains the compound Myristicin. Although most cakes and cookie recipes only call for a small amount of nutmeg and your dog would have to eat quite a bit of the spice to feel its effects, it’s best to simply avoid any gingerbread cookies, cakes, or other desserts that contain it.

Nutmeg is considered to be harmless to cats in small amounts but it can lead to problems if a cat consumes a lot of the spice. It’s best to avoid giving a cat gingerbread cakes, cookies, or other foods unless you know they do not contain nutmeg.

Fortunately, if you are making gingerbread cookies or your own gingerbread house from scratch, you can control the recipe. Simply leave out the nutmeg.

We also found this nice dog and horse-safe gingerbread cookie recipe online. It has fewer ingredients than many gingerbread recipes for people and all of them are safe for pets (and horses).

• all-purpose flour
• ground ginger
• ground cinnamon
• ground cloves
• molasses
• water
• vegetable oil

If you’re worried about the molasses, it is sweet but it’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals. The spices used are safe for pets in these small amounts.

It’s hard to imagine sugar-free gingerbread considering that it relies on brown sugar and molasses to make the gingerbread dark but there are some recipes (especially keto and paleo diets) that are more or less sugar-free. These recipes call for the use of the dreaded XYLITOL. You absolutely, positively should not give your dog anything containing xylitol because it is poisonous to dogs. If a cookie or cake claims to be sugar-free, check the label. It likely contains xylitol. In fact, you should get in the habit of always checking labels just to make sure the foods you buy don’t contain xylitol. If your dog eats anything that contains xylitol, take him to the veterinarian immediately. It could save his life.

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, followed by symptoms associated with the sudden lowering of your dog’s blood sugar, such as decreased activity, weakness, staggering, incoordination, collapse and seizures.

If you think your dog has eaten xylitol, take him to your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Because hypoglycemia and other serious adverse effects may not occur in some cases for up to 12 to 24 hours, your dog may need to be hospitalized for medical monitoring.

Cats do not appear to be affected by xylitol.

What If Your Dog Eats Gingerbread?

Since regular gingerbread (cookies, cake, houses) contain a lot of brown sugar, molasses, and butter, if your dog eats some, he could experience some digestive problems. Depending on how much of the gingerbread he eats, he could vomit or have diarrhea. If his stomach problems last for more than 24 hours, see your veterinarian.

If your dog eats gingerbread that contains nutmeg and you are worried about the nutmeg as a toxin, watch for the following symptoms:

• Hallucinations
• Disorientation
• Increased heart rate
• High blood pressure
• Dry mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Possible seizures

One gingerbread cookie containing nutmeg is not likely to affect your dog. It usually takes a large amount of nutmeg to affect a dog. But, if you are worried or if you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

How Much Gingerbread Can You Give Your Dog?

If you have gingerbread that does not contain nutmeg, keep in mind that one gingerbread cookie has 134 calories. Gingerbread is quite fattening because of the butter used in the recipe. It also contains a lot of sugar and molasses. One gingerbread cookie would be plenty for most dogs.

If your dog is diabetic, gingerbread and other human foods that contain lots of sugar are a bad idea. Dogs that are overweight or obese should also avoid eating human treats that are so high in calories.

If your dog has any specific health conditions or if you have questions, it’s always best to ask your veterinarian before giving your dog a treat such as gingerbread.

How Often Can You Give Your Dog Gingerbread?

Since gingerbread is high in calories and sugar, you could let your dog have one or two cookies per week. It’s better to give your dog healthy treats that are made for dogs.

Conclusion

If your gingerbread contains nutmeg, it’s generally best not to share it with your dog. However, you can  make gingerbread without using nutmeg. Surprisingly, gingerbread-type cookies and treats, such as gingersnaps, have some nutritional benefits, especially for dogs that are prone to getting car sick. If you share some safe gingerbread with your dog, remember that these cookies and cakes are high in calories and contain lots of sugar and fat. Only let your dog have a little occasionally.

Ho Ho Ho! It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to Santa, reindeer, and Hallmark Christmas movies. If that’s not enough to convince you the holidays are here, it seems that you can’t turn around without running into a holiday dessert. And candy canes are everywhere! What’s a poor dog to do? That’s a lot of temptation for a dog. Can dogs have candy canes? Let’s find out.

Candy cane nutrition

Let’s just stop right here. Candy canes are not nutritious. Continue.

Candy canes appear to date back to the early to mid-19th century and Massachusetts can lay claim to them. (Other tales claim they originated in the 17^th century in Germany to keep kids from making noise during church services.)

Candy canes were originally straight peppermint candy sticks until someone got a little more creative. Today they are often cane-shaped and, along with the traditional peppermint flavor, they come in lots of other flavors such as gravy, pickle, clam, rotisserie chicken, mac and cheese, bacon (there had to be bacon), wasabi, blueberry, coffee, sour patch, Swedish fish, oreo, starburst, jelly belly, chocolate mint, birthday cake, pumpkin pie (for people who don’t get enough pumpkin at Halloween and Thanksgiving), sugar plum, cinnamon, molasses, and apple pie.

As for nutrition, what little there is, a regular candy (14 grams) cane has about 55 calories, 0 fat, 14 grams of carbohydrates (5 percent), and 8.8 grams of sugars. It has no vitamins to speak of and 0.2 percent iron. No fiber. No protein.

Did you catch that? The candy cane is 14 grams and it has 14 grams of carbs. All of the calories in the candy cane come from carbohydrates. Plus, it’s very high in sugars.

Candy canes are a delicious treat (depending on which flavor you like) but they are not nutritious. And they are not good for dogs because of the high sugar content.

Can you give your dog candy canes to eat?

Both humans and dogs have taste buds that appreciate sweets such as the sugar in candy canes. Humans have more taste buds overall than dogs, including taste buds for sweets. But dogs are usually very happy to eat sweets such as candy canes. That doesn’t mean that this kind of treat is good for dogs.

Sugar can provide energy but it can also give a sudden sugar rush to the bloodstream. This makes sugary foods such as candy canes especially bad for diabetic dogs.

Sugar isn’t toxic to humans or to dogs but eating too much can lead to health problems. Eating too much sugar has been associated with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even dementia.

The sugar in candy canes can also be bad for teeth and gum health.

The colors and flavors used in candy canes are not good for your dog either. Some candy canes use artificial colors such as red and green dyes. Some candy canes contain chocolate (a big NO for dogs) and other ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.

Some candy canes are made using xylitol, the artificial sweetener that is poisonous to dogs, especially if they are labeled “sugar-free” or they are made with “birch sugar”). Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol, such as your dog might eat in a candy cane, can result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as soon as 10 to 60 minutes after ingestion. This situation can be life-threatening. Dogs that ingest higher amounts of xylitol can also experience liver failure.

The signs of hypoglycemia from xylitol poisoning could include any or all of the following:

• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Loss of coordination or difficulty walking or standing
• Weakness, sluggishness, or lethargy
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Coma

If you observe any of these symptoms or suspect that your dog has consumed xylitol, in candy canes or another food, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline immediately.

Even if your dog eats a candy cane made from sugar without any xylitol, sugar can be very bad for any dog that is diabetic, overweight or obese, or a dog that has underlying health problems.

Too much sugar can also affect the heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and other organs.

What if your dog eats a candy cane?

Normally, if a dog eats a small amount of something it won’t do him much harm. This can be true of a candy cane if you are sure that it’s made with real sugar. However, if it contains xylitol it could be very harmful to your dog since it only takes a small amount of this sugar substitute to make your dog sick.

If your dog eats a candy cane that you have brought home in a container from a store, check the label to read the ingredients right away. This should tell you whether or not the food contains xylitol. You can relax or call your veterinarian, as appropriate.

On the other hand, if you are walking your dog or your dog steals something out of the trash or a neighbor’s yard, you may not know if the candy cane contains real sugar or xylitol. In this case, take no chances. You should assume that the candy cane could contain xylitol. Take your dog to your veterinarian’s office and explain the situation. At the very least your vet can monitor your dog or take bloodwork to determine if your dog has consumed xylitol.

Even candy canes themselves can break off into sharp, hard pieces that can hurt your dog’s throat or choke your dog.

How often can you give your dog a candy cane?

It’s best not to give your dog a candy cane at all. Even if you have candy canes made from real sugar, this treat has no benefits for dogs and the sugar can be harmful.

In the worst cases, candy canes with xylitol can be deadly. It’s best not to encourage your dog to expect any candy canes from you or from others. Be sure to tell your family and friends that your dog (and other dogs) should not have candy canes.

Conclusion

Many dogs love sweets but sugar isn’t good for your dog for lots of reasons. Candy canes, like some other confections, are sometimes made with xylitol or “birch sugar,” especially if they are “sugar-free.” Anything that contains xylitol can be toxic to dogs. It’s best if you don’t give your dog any candy canes at all. Instead, choose healthier treats that are made for dogs. That way your dog can safely share the holidays with you.

Do you love everything about Christmas as well as sharing this special time with your dog. Then check out these cute dog & puppy pictures alongside some funny Christmas quotes.

You know what I got for Christmas Fat. I got Fat.

Be Naughty, Save Santa the trip.

Santa Claus had the right idea. Visit people only once a year. Victor Borge

Don’t blame the Holidays, you were fat back in August.

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. Maya Angelou

Christmas sweaters are only acceptable as a cry for help. Andy Borowitz

Christmas Turkey tastes like it never drank water while it was alive

Many look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits

I really just want 1 treat but SANTA wants me to have 3, then the whole box

This is me waiting for it to be socially acceptable to play Christmas music

In case you weren’t sure, then yes, all Christmas sweaters are ugly. Yes even this one. Especially this one. Merry Christmas!

I really hope you’ll Love the present you told me to get you

Being nice year-round may get you more presents, but being naughty every once in a while is a gift unto itself!

Wishing you an Instagram-perfect Christmas this year

Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit

Do you love Christmas and cats, possibly kittens as well. Then check out these cute cat & kitten pictures alongside some funny seasonal quotes.

Of course Santa is dead. You force a guy to eat a billion cookies in one night, what do you think is going to happen? – Jimmy Kimmel

I’m only a morning person on December 25th  –  Unknow

A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together –  Garrison Keillor

Dear Santa Obviously it was the Dogs Fault

Christmas It’s that special time of year when your whole family gathers together in one place to look at their cellphones

I’m grateful for my crazy, psycho, insane and just totally messed up friends. Merry Christmas

Just stole Santa’s naughty list! Ironically, it’s almost identical to my friends list.

Sometimes the butt of jokes in the United States because they seem to last forever*, fruit cakes are a delicious cake made with candied or dried fruit, nuts, and spices. They date back to Roman times and it seems that nearly every country has their own version of these traditional cakes. They are often served at Christmas and at weddings. Can dogs have fruitcake? Let’s find out.

*In 2017, a fruit cake that was 106-years-old was discovered. It was said to be in “excellent condition” and “almost” edible.

Fruit Cake Nutrition

As already noted, fruit cakes of different varieties can be found in countries all over the world. Some countries add icing or a dusting of powdered sugar to the top of the cake but the basic ingredients are similar. They consist of candied or dried fruit, nuts, and various spices. The nuts and fruits can vary depending on the country and on the local recipe or individual cook. Popular dried fruits include any selection of apricots, figs, dates, plums, currants, prunes, glace cherries, pineapple, and raisins.

Some of the spices used in fruit cakes can include cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Some people include cocoa or chocolate chips.

Popular nuts in the recipe include almonds, pecans, and walnuts.

Substitutions can always be made when you’re making a fruit cake.

As for nutrition, despite the presence of dried fruit, fruit cake is not a very healthy dish. One piece of commercially-made fruit cake (43 grams) contains 73 percent carbohydrates, 24 percent fat, and 3 percent protein. It’s low in saturated fat and cholesterol but most of the calories come from sugars. That one small piece contains 139 calories and 26.5 grams of carbohydrates. It has 3.9 grams of fat and 12.8 grams of sugar along with 1.2 grams of protein.

Fruit cake contains very little in the way of vitamins and minerals.

If you are looking for nutrition from fruit, you are better off eating fresh fruit. Fruit cake is purely a dessert.

Can You Give Your Dog Fruit Cake to Eat?

In general, it’s not a good idea to give your dog fruit cake to eat. This is especially true if you don’t know all of the ingredients in the cake. Most fruit cakes contain nutmeg, for example, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. Nutmeg contains a substance called myristicin which is very bad for dogs. It acts as a neurotoxin. At high doses your dog could experience disorientation, hallucinations, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and seizures. A fruit cake probably doesn’t contain a large amount of nutmeg but why risk it?

Cinnamon, another ingredient often used in fruit cake, is not toxic to your dog. It’s often used in doggy birthday cakes and cookies. However, too much is not recommended. Large amounts of the powder or exposure to the essential oil could lead to some health problems.

Allspice contains compounds called eugenols which can cause liver toxicity in cats. However, they seem to be relatively safe for dogs.

Ginger isn’t harmful to dogs. It’s often used in dog treats and snacks today and even added to dog foods. However, you probably don’t want your dog to eat it in large amounts. Some fruit cakes include crystallized or candied ginger as an ingredient.

In addition to the spices, fruit cake is loaded with sugars. Depending on the recipe, it can have brown sugar, granulated sugar, or other kinds of sweeteners such as corn syrup. Large amounts of sugar aren’t good for dogs. Too much sugar can affect your dog’s heart, kidneys, liver, pancreas, and other organs.

Fruit cakes also feature nuts such as pecans, almonds, and walnuts. One or two of these nuts won’t hurt your dog but eating a lot of nuts can be problematic. In addition, you may not be certain if there are other nuts in the cake that might be more harmful such as macadamia nuts which are toxic to dogs.

With all of the colorful dried fruits in a fruit cake, you might not notice the small, shriveled raisin but they are one of the foods that can be most toxic to dogs, along with currants. All kinds of raisins and currants can be toxic to dogs, including organic and seedless varieties. There is no well-established toxic dose. Some dogs are more sensitive to these fruits than others but there is no way to predict which dogs are most sensitive. A dog that eats raisins or currants can develop kidney failure.

Early symptoms of raisin toxicity

• Vomiting (usually within 24 hours of ingestion)
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Possibly diarrhea within the next 12-24 hours

Signs of acute kidney failure if not treated early

• Nausea
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Uremic breath (ammonia odor)
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Kidneys stop functioning
• Coma

Finally, many fruit cakes contain added brandy, rum, or other alcohol. Liquor is a definite no-no for your dog!

How Much Fruit Cake Can You Give Your Dog?

We recommend that you do not give your dog any fruit cake at all without knowing exactly what ingredients it contains. Most fruit cakes contain ingredients, such as raisins and nutmeg, that are toxic to dogs.

If you would like to give your dog some fruitcake, you will need to find a recipe that is made with dog-friendly ingredients: low-sugar or sugar-free, no nuts, no harmful spices, and fruits that are safe for dogs to eat.

We found this recipe that uses dried cranberry, blueberry, and pineapple. All of these fruits are safe for dogs. The other ingredients should be safe as well.

Fruit cake dog treat recipe:  https://doggydessertchef.com/

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried Fruit (cranberry, blueberry, and pineapple)
• 1/4 cup dried Fruit (cranberry, blueberry, and pineapple)
• 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 1 1/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 tablespoon Molasses

What If Your Dog Eats Some Fruit Cake?

If your dog steals some fruit cake from your plate it probably won’t do him any harm as long as it’s just a bite.

However, if your dog manages to eat a lot of fruit cake, that requires a trip to the veterinarian immediately, especially if the fruit cake is soaked in rum or if it contains raisins or other toxic ingredients.

Conclusion

Fruit cake has been popular for hundreds of years in countless countries. Unfortunately, it’s not a healthy treat for your dog unless you modify the recipe and leave out some of the ingredients that could be harmful to him. If you are serving fruit cake in your home, make sure to keep the fruit cake far away from your pooch. Remind your guests that this is one dish that they shouldn’t share with your dog under the table.

“Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts.” – Janice Maeditere

Christmas magic is silent. You don’t hear it you feel it. You know it. You believe it. – Kevin Alan Milne

“I don’t think Christmas is necessarily about things. It’s about being good to one another.” – Carrie Fisher

“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up n each other.” – Burton Hills

“Let us keep Christmas beautiful without a thought of greed. – Ann Garnett Schultz”

Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling. – Edna Ferber

What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. – Agnes M. Pahro

Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won’t make it ‘white.’ – Bing Crosby

One of the most beloved holiday traditions families around the world look forward to is decorating the Christmas tree. Whether you opt for a little touch of nature and go with a real tree or prefer a pre-lit artificial beauty, no home is complete without a Christmas tree as the focal point of the family room during the Yuletide season. Christmas trees can pose many different hazards for families with pets; however, with a little extra care and some precautions put in place, dogs, cats, and the Christmas tree should all remain fast friends until it’s time to tear the decorations down and pack them away for another year. However, for many dogs, the Christmas tree has an irresistible appeal. Since a real tree smells just like the great outdoors, some dogs feel the need to add their unique scent to it by peeing on it. As an added “bonus,” sometimes Fido’s aim not only hits the tree, it also provides a generous sprinkling of urine onto the presents beneath it. Since no family likes having to deal with added odor or mess at Christmastime, it is natural to ask the question—how do I keep my dog from peeing on my Christmas tree?

Prevention is Key

When it comes to keeping your Christmas tree urine-free, prevention is the very best strategy. Thankfully, there are lots of things that you can do to help Fido learn to restrict his urges for bathroom behavior restricted to time spent outdoors.

Here Are Our Top Tips for Keeping Your Christmas Tree Safe from Dog Pee This Holiday Season:

Regular bathroom breaks

Ensuring your dog has his urine tank on empty can help keep your Christmas tree safe from marking this holiday season. To accomplish this, increase the number of times you take your dog outside for potty breaks to give him ample opportunity to do his urinating outdoors.

Keeping your dog well-exercised through neighborhood walks will also help reduce the temptation to use your Christmas tree as a peeing post. This strategy is particularly effective since your dog will have access to many other trees along his walking route where he can indulge his desire to leave his scent for other dogs to find.

Be alert to possible marking from both boy and girl dogs

Though intact male dogs are the most likely to lift their legs against a Christmas tree, both neutered males and females (spayed or intact) are also known to mark things on occasion. Males most commonly urinate directly on the tree and its surroundings whereas females are more prone to urinating on tree skirts, presents, or an area near the Christmas tree.

Marking indoors very rarely has anything to do with an urge to urinate that must be satisfied. It is a primal urge to leave the dog’s scent on property as a sign to other canines that that particular spot is already taken by the resident dog.

Past behavior is also not necessarily an indicator of what is to come this year. A dog that did not mark your tree last year may decide this year is the year to leave his or her urine trail on or around the Christmas tree. Likewise, dogs that have marked in previous years may decide to forego the activity this particular Noel.

Keep a close eye on canine visitors

When a new dog visits a home or a family adopts a dog into a home with established pets, marking is a very common behavior. After all, a vital part of the dog feeling at home includes leaving his scent in his surroundings, so the house begins to smell a little bit like him.

If you will be receiving canine visitors over the holidays, keep a careful eye to ensure the pooch doesn’t take aim at your tree.

Restrict direct access to the Christmas tree

When you cannot supervise your dog, it is important to reduce the dog’s access to the Christmas tree. This can be accomplished through the use of a crate, by baby gating the dog in another room, or by keeping your pooch on a leash attached to you.

Try distraction

Dogs can easily become fixated on the one thing you don’t want them to do. However, making use of a whistle or even a toy your dog enjoys can help redirect your dog’s attention from the Christmas tree to something more fun to do. Keep on hand some raw, meaty bones and a selection of toys to give your dog to play with, and he will soon lose interest in “watering” your tree.

Use a belly band

Belly bands are a strip of absorbent fabric which stretches over a dog’s genital region. Belly bands are available in many different sizes to accommodate the needs of even the largest dogs. When a male dog attempts to urinate on something, the belly band traps the urine and prevents it from reaching the intended object. Most dogs hate being dirty, and thus, quickly learn that if they attempt to mark something they will simply end up wet, and they cease the behavior.

Most belly bands can be lined with panty liners which can be disposed of once soiled.

For female dogs with a penchant for marking, you can purchase doggy diapers at most local pet stores.

Protect the tree with an ex-pen, gate, or fence

Though this approach does somewhat mar the appearance of the tree, a baby gate, ex-pen, or fence placed strategically around the Christmas tree and the surrounding presents can help keep things safe and dry all throughout the season.

Teach your dog the “leave it” command

All dogs should learn the “leave it” command as there are many times in a dog’s life when they will be attracted to something that could cause them harm, and this simple command could save their lives.

To make use of the “leave it” command to prevent peeing on the Christmas tree, simply say “leave it” when you see your dog approaching the area. When your dog complies with your request, reward him lavishly with treats and praise. For most dogs, over time, they will learn that the tree is an off-limits zone.

Protecting Christmas Presents from Dog Pee

Dogs are often quite attracted to presents though chewing is more often their intention. However, presents are in the direct line of fire of a dog that decides to urinate on the Christmas tree, so a few extra precautions can ensure your presents remain safe and stink-free.

The same tips that apply to protecting the Christmas tree also apply to protecting your presents. Prevention is the most effective strategy.

Hoping to keep your tree and gifts urine-free this Christmas? Follow our top tips, and you’ll be guaranteed success!

With the holiday season just around the corner, families are starting to turn their attention towards decorating their homes for Christmas. The holidays are fraught with many different plants that pose hazards to our pets including holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia. With so many new sights and sounds in our homes over the Yuletide season, many pets are drawn to investigate. While some pets limit themselves to a cursory sniff, others aren’t satisfied until they have taken a chomp out of the plants, flowers, or tree, a practice that could lead to a visit to the emergency room and an expensive veterinary bill. We know that many popular Christmas plants can be toxic to dogs and cats, but what about the beloved family Christmas tree? Are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs and cats?

Potential Problems with Family Pets and Christmas Trees

With so many Christmas flowers and plants firmly on the no-no list, many families wonder if having a Christmas tree in their home is safe for their pets. Generally speaking, Christmas trees pose little risk for dogs and cats. If consumed, neither their bark nor their needles are poisonous.

However, simply because the Christmas tree is not toxic if ingested does not mean that it cannot pose a danger in a home with pets. Here are some of the problems which can occur if care is not exercised in keeping dogs and cats at a safe distance from the family Christmas tree:

Pine needles

Pine needles can be sharp to the touch. Though artificial trees possess needles that are much duller and unlikely to be a concern, real trees shed their needles regularly. If a dog or cat is in the line of fire of shedding needles or jostles the tree and cause a windfall to occur, it is possible that one of the needles could come in contact with the pet’s eye. Pine needles can scratch the surface of the eye, causing painful lacerations which could later affect vision.

The oils emitted from fir tree needles can also cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and gums if eaten.

Sap
Most Christmas trees will yield at least a little sap throughout the holiday season. Though this sap is not toxic, it is rich and can cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs or cats that choose to sample a bit.

For families whose pets find the Christmas tree irresistible, an artificial tree may be the way to go.

Ornaments
If permitted to get too close to your tree or to play rambunctiously around it, it is possible your dog or cat could knock it over, causing ornaments to spill to the ground. Though some of today’s ornaments are made of lightweight plastic, others are constructed from delicate glass which will shatter on impact. These flying pieces could become embedded in your dog or cat’s coat or eyes. If stepped on, lacerations of the feet could occur, or shards of glass could become lodged in sensitive paw pads.

Hooks
Most ornament manufacturers have moved from traditional wire hooks to the use of ribbon, yarn, or even twine. Wire hooks pose a particularly dangerous hazard for pets. Swallowing a hook could lead to a dangerous tear in the throat or intestines. If stepped on, hooks can easily become embedded in flesh, causing painful tears.

Tree water
Though the fresh water that is added to the Christmas tree is safe for pet consumption, some Christmas trees are treated with preservatives, fertilizers, and even pesticides to keep the tree healthy and to encourage longevity. Aspirin is also a common additive which can help increase a tree’s life cycle once cut. Though these items are helpful for the tree, they can cause serious health problems for your dog or cat. It is recommended that all dishes containing tree water be properly covered to prevent your pets from drinking it and becoming ill.

Christmas lights
It isn’t so much the lights themselves as what they are attached to that can cause problems for our dogs and cats. The bulbs themselves do heat up over time and could cause painful burns for pets that get too close to them. However, the greater hazard comes from those pets that see a plastic cord and think it is a good idea to give it a good old-fashioned chew, a practice which could lead to a fire, painful burns of the skin or mouth, or electrocution.

Chewing on exposed wires is also a leading cause in fluid accumulation on the lungs which is most often fatal.

Tinsel
Tinsel is one of the most dangerous things you can add to your Christmas tree. Since tinsel comes in long, fibrous strands, it can easily become tangled around intestines if swallowed. If this should occur, surgery will be necessary to remove the tinsel and save the dog or cat’s life.

Common symptoms of tinsel consumption include reduced appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and extreme fatigue.

Gift wrapping
Though some dogs and cats are attracted to unwrapping gifts under the tree long before Christmas Day, it is the paper, bows, and gift cards placed on the present that are of a greater concern for pet owners. Dogs and cats are particularly drawn to playing with wrapping paper remnants, pieces of ribbon, and even small parts and pieces from toys, etc. Many of these items can easily be swallowed leading to discomfort at best and serious health complications at worst.

Keeping the Christmas Tree and Family Pets Safe

The best course of action to keep both the Christmas tree and all family pets safe during the holiday season is prevention. There are several approaches you can take. The easiest way to keep the tree and all pets apart from one another is by placing the tree in a room that can be closed off from pet access when you cannot be present to provide proper supervision. If you want to keep the doors open to enjoy the holiday decorations all throughout the day, you can install baby gates in each of the entrance points to keep dogs and cats far away from the tree.

Some families like to make use of ex-pens (a type of indoor wire fencing) to place around their Christmas tree. Though this mars the overall look to a degree, it is one means to ensure that the Christmas tree remains intact, and all pets are free from potential harm.

If you are unable to be within the house to provide appropriate supervision, dogs and cats should be crated or restricted to an area where they cannot access the tree.

Are Christmas trees poisonous to dogs and cats? Though eating pine needles or sap can cause some gastrointestinal distress at the worst; no, Christmas trees are not toxic to family pets. To keep each member of the family safe this holiday season, employ one of our top tips to keep Fido and Fifi from getting up to mischief this Christmas.

Christmas is almost upon us, and families are busy making preparations for the upcoming holiday season. With gifts to buy, parties to attend, and decorating to be done, there seems to be no shortage of Yuletide chores to accomplish. When out shopping for holiday décor, many people like to purchase Christmas plants to adorn their homes with for an added element of festive cheer. However, some Christmas plants are not suited to homes with pets since they can be toxic when ingested. The poinsettia is likely the most easily recognizable of all of the Christmas plants available this time of year. While ill effects have been noted in cats who have taken a chomp out of this festive flower, many dog owners wonder if poinsettias also pose a threat to their canine companions. Are poinsettias harmful to dogs?

Poinsettias and Dogs

The poinsettia plant, commonly found in many stores and homes at Christmastime, is known to have mild toxicity levels for both cats and dogs if eaten. The dangerous part of the plant is a sap which is white in appearance and has properties which are similar to household cleaning detergents. When a dog or cat bites on the leaves, stems, or flowers of a poinsettia plant, this sticky substance, which is comprised of a chemical known as diterpenoid euphorbal ester, is released. When eaten, it spells a recipe for disaster for pets. Even peripheral contact with the sap produced by this beautiful Christmas flower can cause eye and skin irritations. However, though the detergent-like sap found on this plant has the potential to make a dog or cat sick, rarely does it result in death.

The most commonly seen side effects of poinsettia consumption or skin contact include:

• Vomiting
• Increased drooling
• Diarrhea
• Itchiness
• Inflammation of the skin or membranes of the eyes or nose

Symptoms of poinsettia “poisoning” become apparent rather quickly. Thankfully, only rarely is medical intervention ever required. There is no remedy for poinsettia toxicity.

To help prevent a dog or cat from becoming ill due to contact with poinsettias, it is best to place this attractive Christmas plant well out of reach of canine and feline family members. If you happy to be the proud owner of an ingenious pet in possession of the ability to get into even the most hard to reach places, it may be best to purchase a plastic version of this popular festive plant for the safety of your dog or cat.

Other Christmas Plants and Dogs

There several other holiday flowers which can pose toxicity risks for pets.

Here is a list of some of the most commonly seen Christmas plants which must be handled with care in homes with dogs:

Calla lily
The unique and elegant calla lily is a flower that is associated with both Christmas and Easter.  This beautiful plant will have immediate ill effects on your dog if eaten.

Though the calla lily is only moderately toxic at worst to dogs, it contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause extreme pain to the jaw and mouth.

The most common symptoms associated with chewing on the calla lily include skin irritation, a burning sensation, inflammation of the mouth and gums, vomiting, foaming at the mouth, drooling, and challenges with breathing and swallowing.

Amaryllis
The amaryllis is a flower of great visual beauty. However, it is also highly toxic to dogs. Among the chemicals contained in this stunning flowering plant is lycorine, a substance which can result in severe gastrointestinal distress, extreme, fatigue, and serious tremors in dogs. Earlier symptoms of amaryllis toxicity can include diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive drooling.

Though the flowers and leaves pose a health risk to dogs, consumption of the plant bulb itself is considered to be the most dangerous. Due to its level of toxicity, the amaryllis plant is best left for homes without pets.

The amaryllis is known by several other names which include Belladonna, Saint Joseph Lily Naked Lady, and Cape Belladonna.

Holly
One of the plants most commonly associated with Christmas is holly. From its distinctive shaped leaves to its cheerful red berries, holly is one of America’s most beloved festive plants.

However, holly has a deadly side when it comes to our pets. Though poinsettia plants are often touted as the most poisonous Christmas plant, this red-hued beauty gets a bad rap. Holly is actually far more toxic to pets than the humble poinsettia.

Signs of holly toxicity include gastrointestinal distress and excessive drooling. The most commonly seen side effects are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Mistletoe
Mistletoe, often thought of as the kissing plant, is poisonous to dogs and cats. This beloved festive plant bears a number of toxic substances including toxalbumin and pharatoxin viscumin. Mistletoe consumption leads to very serious stomach distress within a very short amount of time of having eaten the plant.

An even more distressing side effect to eating mistletoe is a rapid onset of a plummeting of blood pressure accompanied by difficulty breathing and even hallucinations. If eaten in sufficient quantities, both seizures and death can occur.

Due to the extreme potential for danger with this plant, it is best for families with dogs and cats to leave mistletoe at the store or purchase a plastic version to display in their homes.

Christmas cactus
The Christmas cactus is not toxic to dogs or cats; however, it still poses a risk to pets due to the thorns found on the plants which can become embedded in paw pads and skin.

If eaten, the Christmas cactus can lead to mild stomach pain, but there is no fear of toxicity.

Should your pet come in contact with a Christmas plant that is toxic, the best thing to do is not panic. A quick call to your veterinarian can help set your mind at ease. When you call your clinic, try to have on hand the pertinent facts which can greatly assist your vet in helping determine the best course of treatment for your pet including the type of plant, how much was eaten, when it was eaten, and the current side effects your pet is experiencing.

Just because you own a dog doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beauty of some Christmas plants in your home. For best results, stick to the plastic versions of highly toxic plants to ensure a happy, healthy holiday season for all!

When the snow starts blowing and holiday tunes start playing on the local radio stations, everyone starts to turn their minds towards Christmas. From gift buying to holiday parties to Christmas concerts and more, the holiday season is chock full of busy days and fun things to do. Many families like to schedule photo shoots for a brand new festive shot of the whole family to adorn this year’s Christmas card to proudly mail out to family and friends. In recent years, there has been a new trend that many dog owners like to take part in during the holiday season: dog photos with Santa. Many photographers offer private shoots in their studios, allowing families to get the perfect shot of Fido. Many shelters, pet stores, and even local groomers arrange dog photos with Santa; often as a means to help raise money to care for dogs in need. Photo shoots of your dog with Santa can be lots of fun; however, it is not always easy getting Fido to cooperate when it comes to capturing that perfect shot. If you’re thinking of taking your pooch for a photo with the “Big Man” himself, what are some things you can do to help prep for the shoot?

Getting Picture Perfect

For Fido to truly look his best for photos with Santa, he’ll need to be groomed just prior to his session appointment. Even breeds that don’t have much coat to speak of can benefit from a bath to help them look sparking clean for their holiday photo.

Schedule an appointment with your local groomer well in advance of the photo shoot to ensure they will have availability for your little canine bundle of joy.

Deck Your Dog Out in the Perfect Christmas Ensemble

While some dogs truly hate being dressed up in clothing, others almost seem to take pride in being cuted up in Christmas apparel. Many department stores and boutique pet shops stock a wide variety of Christmas-themed outfits to help your pooch get into the holiday spirit. From festive velvet collars outfitted with sleigh bells to reindeer ears, elf costumes, and more, you’ll have no trouble finding a cute Christmas getup that suits your pooch’s personality to a T.

When selecting Christmas apparel for your pet, be sure to purchase the appropriate size to ensure your dog’s movement is not restricted. Always bear in mind your dog’s comfort level. If your dog is truly unhappy wearing cute Noel-themed clothing, it is best to forego the costume and opt for the au naturel look instead.

To help set your dog up for success, it is always a good idea to get him used to any clothing he may be wearing for a photo well in advance of a shoot. Feeding your dog lots of yummy treats and lavishing praise on him while he sports his festive costume may help him to feel more at ease when dressed up. However, for dogs that simply aren’t happy cuted up for Santa photos, a bandana is an excellent way to perk up the photo’s festive charm while keeping your pooch content.

Some pet stores also sell dog collars which have bow ties attached to them. The ties come in a variety of seasonal prints, allowing you to select the one that highlights your dog’s best features.

Getting Fido Ready for His Fans

If you are planning to attend a Christmas pet photo shoot in a busy area such as a grooming salon or pet store, you will be sure to encounter lots of crowds. Many dogs can become overwhelmed with so much congestion, particularly if it is in a small space. Having that many dogs in a restricted area can also be a recipe for a dog fight, so it is vitally important to ensure you place the proper precautions in place to keep your dog safe.

Being in a confined space with many unfamiliar dogs and people can be stressful for both you and your dog. Though you know your dog well, you don’t know the tendencies of the dogs around you, and some may not be dog-friendly. To help set your dog at ease, it is important to allow your dog to express his own boundaries and to provide support for him.

If your dog displays a reticence to approach new people, it is important that you respect this and not force him to. If being in close proximity to other dogs makes your pooch feel ill at ease, it may be best to ask the staff to give you a specific time for your photo and to wait in the car until it is your turn. If your dog is shaking, panting heavily, or expressing other signs of serious discomfort, it is best to abandon plans for a Santa photo and head for home.

Another important component of helping your dog to feel comfortable with a photo shoot is your own demeanor. If you are calm, your dog will feel that calm energy radiating down the length of his lead, giving him the confidence he needs to remain in a calm state. However, this works conversely as well. If you are stressed, your dog will sense that anxiety and will, in turn, also be stressed and anxious.

When packing things to bring along to the photo shoot, you will want to be sure you have a small bag of treats that your dog loves and is highly motivated by. These will help to keep your dog focused on you during the wait time for photos. But treats are also extremely helpful in getting your dog to look at the camera. Simply stand beside the photographer and hold a treat up in the air to get your dog’s attention. Most dogs will immediately become alert and lean in towards the camera in an effort to get to the treat. You’ll want to be certain to reward your dog with lots of treats and praise after the photo shoot is done.

Making Friends with Santa

Some pets take a little bit of time to warm up to Santa. After all, it’s not every day they come in contact with a large jolly man in a big red suit who also happens to be sporting an immense white beard. To help your dog make friends with Santa, take the time to do a slow introduction prior to setting up for the photo. Give Santa some of your dog’s favorite treats to give your pooch and allow your dog to approach him when he is ready. Care must be taken not to force any introduction as this may simply reinforce any fear.

Some dogs will be too stressed or anxious to have their photo taken with Santa alone. If this is the case, you can help alleviate your dog’s nervousness by being in the picture as well. Your presence can help your dog to feel more confident and may yield a much better result.

If your dog is expressing a strong aversion to having his photo taken with Santa, it is best to forego the session. You can always set up an area at home in the midst of your Christmas décor where you can take some festive photos of Fido in an area where he feels more comfortable.

Thinking pet photos with Santa would be lots of fun? Follow our top tips to help your dog feel at ease and to get a great shot you can treasure for years to come!

The time of year is nearly upon us when the world pauses to reminisce. Happy memories bring a smile to our lips, and sometimes as we reflect on the passing of time, we experience both laughter and tears as well. Inevitably, we start to think about the hopes we had for 2022; the plans and promises we made when standing on the brink of a shiny New Year. Some of them we accomplished; most of them we didn’t. But if the advent of a new year brings anything along with it, it is the opportunity to set some goals to work towards in the future. A new year offers each of us a slate. A chance to start over. Perhaps your goals for 2023 include doing more than just buying a gym membership to actually going there too. Maybe you hope to find a better work/life balance or to finally take that family vacation you’ve been putting off for years. These are all excellent and worthy goals; things that you most certainly can achieve with a little bit of determination and effort. As the clock draws nearer to striking midnight and the band cues up the familiar refrain of “Auld Lang Syne,” the stage is set to compose a list of 2023 resolutions. But perhaps you aren’t the only one making plans for the New Year…

New Year’s From From Fido’s Point of View

Have you ever considered your dog’s take on a brand new year? Since our dogs live in the moment, it’s unlikely to think they take much note of the passing of time beyond what time supper is most typically served each day. Still, if Fido had to make some resolutions for a better 2023, could you guess what they might be?

It’s interesting to consider things from your dog’s perspective. While our resolutions tend to focus on things we can do to better ourselves, the world around us, or to improve the lives of those we love, your dog’s list is likely to be a little…ummmm…different.

Here is a list of New Year’s Resolutions from Fido’s perspective:

I will try to reduce my…ahem…gaseous emissions.

Hello! Fido here. Welcome to my New Year’s Resolution list. 2022 was a pretty good year, but from the things I smell coming from the kitchen, I’m thinking 2023 could possibly be even better. After all, there are definitely some things on the counter that I have not yet had opportunity to sample…but we’ll get to that later.

Yes, over all, I have a pretty good life; other than being dressed up by my humans from time to time, being the resident celebrity with constant daily photos shoots to attend, and having to go to visit people who make me wet then blow hot air on me every once and a while. Oh, yes, and there’s also the person who sticks those sharp pointy things in me when I go to visit. But other than those things, I don’t have a whole lot of complaints. But word on the street is this time of year a dog has to start making some plans. So that’s what I’m doing…making plans for how my life can be even better in 2023. I’d like to start by saying I’d rather not visit the hot air person and her sharp stick in my side friend ever again.

So, here is as good a place as any to start. I’ve been watching CNN with my dad, and I hear all this stuff about greenhouse gases. I’m really not sure what they are except that the people on CNN get pretty mad about them. I, myself, enjoy the heady musk that emanates from my rump with a loud bang after a particularly tasty meal. But from what the CNN people say coupled with the look on my dad’s face when he notices the aroma, I’m thinking I’m the only one who enjoys my special brand of fragrance. Here, I thought I was making the world a better place with my Eau de Poo…so, alright, alright, IF I MUST, I will TRY to cut down on my gaseous contributions though I do think the world…and our house…will be poorer for it.

I will limit my chewing habits to only premium leather goods.

As a pooch accustomed to living a rather posh lifestyle, I’ve acquired a taste for the finer things in life, and that extends to leather goods. While my mom and dad try to appease me with these bone shaped things and other toys they buy at pet stores, my preference is for the fine-smelling things that mom is always putting on her feet. I’ve tried to refine my olfactory senses to determine the vintage, but so far, I’ve only been able to start to recognize the words printed on the inside of these vessels of deliciousness. I tried the ones with the big checkmark on the side of them, and they taste gross. WARNING, WARNING—do NOT eat the chew toys with the check mark on the side. You’ll have to go outside and take in a mouthful of your sister’s brown backyard “biscuits” to get the rotten taste out of your mouth.

After devoting much time to developing my palate, I have come to the conclusion that there are two main brands that meet my criteria for acceptable chewing accessories for 2023: Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo.  I have no idea where Mom buys these scrumptious items, but I sure am glad she likes them too. The Louis guy is one of my absolute favorites because he also makes these things with handles on them that Mom puts stuff in. I love those the best! It’s a treat that contains treats. What could be better?

My poochy friends, make 2023 a year of chewing discrimination. Nothing but the finest treats for your complete jaw and dental satisfaction. Demand only the best: chew toys Mom and Fido can enjoy from Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo.

I will increase my vocal recitations to show my excitement at the appearance of the neighbor’s cat.

Try as I might, I don’t think I’ve been able to truly express my total enthusiasm for the neighbor’s cat. I’m really not sure what more I can do. I bark, I jump for joy, I try to climb the fence, I bark some more…yet Mom and Dad still don’t seem to understand that I need to be released from that big wooden thing that surrounds the yard, so I can go and chase the kitty goodness that lives next door. I do know this; I think Mom and Dad must really like the cat too because whenever I bark, they start barking too! I think maybe I haven’t found the right frequency…maybe my pitch is off…maybe I just need to bark a whole lot more! Yes, that’s it. I will bark more often and more loudly, so Mom and Dad understand that the cat next door and I really DO need to have some…ummm…play time…yeah, that’s it! PLAY TIME. Together. NOW.

I will learn to get on the kitchen counter to save my owners having to give me roast beef when I want it.

I really feel quite badly for my peeps. It’s not always easy knowing a dog’s needs. That’s why this is going to be the year I perfect climbing on the counter. That way Mom and Dad don’t need to stop what they’re doing any time I need a snack. I can just help myself. Mom and Dad will be so pleased. More TV for Mom and Dad; more snacks for Fido. That’s a win-win in my books.

Yes, my goals for 2023 can be almost be summed up in this one phrase: DO MORE EATING.

I will finally complete my hole to China in the backyard.

I have heard rumors that if a dog digs deep enough they will create a tunnel to this magical place called China. I’m not sure if “they” are telling me the truth or not because I’ve been digging pretty regularly for years, and I haven’t seen any sign of this China place yet. All in all though, the digging part is super fun, but it does mean I have to go visit the hot air lady more often than I would like. One negative in my master plan. Still…a pooch has to have plans, and my plans include finally finishing my tunnel to China. I wonder what I’ll find when I’m done with my job?I bet there’s lots of bones and treats and chew toys by Louis Vuitton…maybe they like gaseous emissions in China, and I won’t have to give up EVERYTHING I love in 2023 after all.

I will leave presents in the shoes of all visitors to our home that displease me.

Soooo…every once in a while, the ‘rents invite over people who really don’t speak dog. I don’t know how in the world it is possible, but they are immune to my charms entirely. So, I’m thinking the way to their hearts is to leave them a special “present”… you know…to break the ice, so to speak. If I’m not allowed to leave my calling card stink to warm the hearts of non-dog loving people, I’ll have to bring out the big guns. I’m thinking I will start manufacturing some brown blobs of deliciousness just like my sister makes. I quite enjoy them myself. I’ve seen her making them in the yard before, and it doesn’t look that hard. And quite frankly, they are delicious. So, yep…to warm the cockles of the hearts of the visitors to our house that don’t seem to like dogs…I’m leaving them some of my special trademark brown biscuits…right in the things they stick their feet into. Yep! One way or the other, they will remember Fido!

Well, that’s probably enough stuff for one dog to work on this year. But don’t worry; I’ll keep you updated. Check in with me this time next year for a full report of how my plans went. If you’re lucky, I might even share my recipe for my special brand of “crap cookies.” You know…if they’re a hit, that is.

Yes, with the end of 2022 nearly upon us, we’re all giving some thought to plans for the coming year. Thankfully, our dogs don’t make resolution lists, If they did, we could all be in big trouble in 2023!

Tis the season to go shopping! As you meander the malls looking for the perfect gift for your kids, your wife, or even a close friend, a thought occurs to you. Maybe you won’t find the ideal Christmas present at a big box store. Maybe…you need to go to a local shelter or call a breeder to purchase a puppy for your family or friend for Christmas! What could be better? Puppy breath on your nose, puppy snuggles under the covers…a puppy would complete your picture perfect Christmas and create lasting memories—and photos—for years to come. But is buying a puppy as a Christmas gift a good idea?

To Buy or Not to Buy a Puppy at Christmastime

Buying a puppy should never be an impulse decision. While puppies certainly are adorable and lots of fun, they are also a lot of work. You may find the puppy you thought was such a great idea on December 24^th might end up on the door of the nearest shelter come January 1^st.

A puppy is a very personal decision. With so many different breeds and mixes to choose from, it is difficult to make a choice for someone else. While you might love the look of an Old English Sheepdog, the recipient of your well-intended gift might not appreciate twice monthly visits to a groomer and nightly brushing to keep the dog’s coat tangle free. Think a Jack Russell Terrier is the cutest thing ever? The dog’s new owner might not love having to take up running to wear their Christmas present out every night to get an hour or two of peace after a long day at work.

Here are a few things to consider before purchasing a puppy as a Christmas gift:

• Not everyone wants the commitment of a dog.

Many people who love dogs aren’t prepared to actually own one of their own. In order to be a great puppy owner, the person needs to have the time to devote to raising the puppy properly and the interest in using their free moments in this manner. But more than this, the person’s personal home situation must be right. It’s possible that the person you are considering purchasing a puppy for lives in an apartment or home that won’t allow pets and will be forced to return the puppy or risk eviction. This is but one of many possible caveats you might not be aware of that would make owning a dog a commitment your family member or friend is not ready for this Christmas.

• Not everyone has a lifestyle that will allow a dog.

Though many people love dogs and express a desire to add one to their home, the timing has to be right. Caring for a puppy is a full time job in the early months of a puppy’s life. If the person you are considering giving a puppy to works a regular job outside the home, they may not have the necessary time to devote to raising a baby puppy. Sometimes people want something that they are ill-prepared to handle in the cold light of reality. A puppy has a very small bladder and little control over it in the early months of its life, so keeping a dog crated for eight hours while the puppy owner works is not an option. Will the recipient of the puppy have the necessary time to devote to house training, socialization, and obedience classes? Do they have enough hours in the day for exercise and play time? These are all considerations that only the person who will own the dog can honestly answer.

• Not everyone can afford a dog.

Let’s face it; dogs are expensive. The initial purchase price of a puppy is merely a down payment on a lifetime of costs. While no true dog lover ever minds spending money on a beloved pet, not everyone has the financial means necessary to properly care for a puppy. Puppies need pee pads, puppy food, toys, leashes, collars, vet visits, regular vaccinations, and more. Puppies can also be very destructive, meaning that the recipient of your gift may find themselves needing to replace furniture, flooring, and footwear as well. You will be paying the purchase price for your well-intended gift, but can the recipient actually afford to pay for the things a puppy will need for the rest of the puppy’s life? It would be a terrible shame to think you were giving someone a blessing to discover you instead saddled them with an untenable financial burden.

When it comes to financial considerations, the breed you select also determines affordability. What if that adorable ten-pound puppy you selected for your family member or friend grows up to weight 110 lbs and eats his weight in food every week? Since it is nearly impossible to determine which breeds make up what some would affectionately call an “SPCA Special”, you may find the small puppy the shelter assured you would only be a medium sized dog when fully grown turns into Scooby Doo with the appetite of King Kong.

When you choose to purchase a dog from a shelter or rescue, you help save a life which is a wonderful thing. Some of the most incredible dogs come from these types of organizations. However, when you purchase a dog of unknown heritage, you really don’t know what you are getting. You could end up with a dog who goes an entire lifetime without a single problem or one that develops cancer and dies at age two. It’s a genetic crap shoot and a risk for sure. Though there are no guarantees when purchasing a purebred from a reputable breeder, you at least have the assurance that both parents have been health-tested to ensure they are not carriers or affected by any known hereditary disease. You also have access to many generations within a bloodline to assess the health and temperament of the dogs behind the one you purchase.

Wouldn’t it be a terrible shame to buy a puppy for your friend only to discover you have purchased a breed that hates children and your friend has a baby? This is yet another problem that could befall your well-intended, kind-hearted purchase.

• Many breeders have lengthy waiting lists.

If a family member or friend has a well-known “crush” on a specific breed, it is very tempting to contact a breeder to see if they have anything available for sale. Typically, breeders with established reputations have lengthy waiting lists. While they might be willing to add your friend to that list, it is unlikely that they will have a litter on the ground at the time you contact them, and if they do; in most cases, the puppies were spoken for long before they were born.

• Many breeders have thorough screening processes.

Conscientious breeders breed infrequently and take very seriously where their puppies end up. Their puppies are sold only to the most carefully scrutinized and approved homes. They are typically not “bargain priced” and with many breeders you have to jump through many hoops to even be considered as a potential home for one of their babies. These types of breeders will not allow a third party to purchase a dog for someone else. They will want to meet and/or speak to the prospective owner to get to know them and to ascertain if the person is knowledgeable enough about their breed to be a suitable home. Since many breeds such as certain types of terriers, herding dogs, or bully breeds are not a good fit for just any home, it is important for breeders to get a “feel” for whether or not a person is prepared to handle their breed of choice or is best left to enjoy them from afar.

• Many breeders and rescues close puppy sales/adoptions over the holiday season.

Breeders, rescues, and shelters have a common goal for the dogs in their care. They want them to find loving forever homes. With this in mind, many of these groups close puppy sales and adoptions prior to the Christmas holidays to prevent impulse purchases which result in unwanted dogs in the cold light of the New Year.

Many organizations encourage people who are truly interested in getting a dog to consider adopting a few weeks before Christmas or a few weeks afterwards. Why is that? Christmas is a very busy time of year, and as such, it is not a great time for a puppy to bond with his new family. Each home is filled with unfamiliar people, noises, and activities that are unsettling to a puppy who has just left all that he has ever known to join his new world. A puppy needs consistency and routine in order to adjust and thrive. A period of upheaval is not beneficial for a puppy’s social and emotional development and can even be extremely detrimental. Not only is it not necessarily a good idea for someone to receive a puppy as a gift for Christmas, it is not ideal for the puppy in question.

Should you get a puppy as a Christmas gift for someone you love?

Unless you know the person and their personal circumstances well enough to be 100 percent certain the dog will land in a home that is prepared to love a dog for a lifetime, the answer is likely no. A dog is a very personal decision that is best left to the dog-seeking individual to choose on their own. If you know someone who loves dogs and who you think might purchase one in the near future, maybe choose to “gift” them some dog-themed items instead this Christmas. After all, who can resist a framed print of Dog Playing Poker? It’s a classic!

Ah! The joys of the Christmas season! We hear songs on the radio leading up to the big day itself which extol the virtues of chestnuts roasting and winter wonderlands, and our hearts soar with the spirit of Christmas. Choosing the perfect tree to adorn our homes is a simple pleasure, and decorating it once it assumes pride of place is a time-honored family affair. Once the stockings are hung, all of the decorations are in their place, and the first viewing of Christmas Vacation has occurred, it’s time to shop for presents. How exciting it is to leisurely peruse the stores in search of the perfect gift for Mom, Dad, and the kiddies. We even take great joy in picking up a little something for the people in our lives that provide services to us each year such as our hairdressers, mailmen, and sometimes even the lady that always gets our coffee just right at Tim Hortons each morning. Giving to others is a vast part of the true joy of the season. But when you do your shopping, do you pick up a few little odds and ends for Fido to find under the tree on Christmas morning too? Is it weird to buy your dog a Christmas present?

To Buy or Not to Buy, That is the Question!

A recent study conducted by Vetstreet revealed that 96 percent of all dog owners purchase Christmas gifts for their beloved pooches. So if you happen to fall in the category of canine present purchaser, you are in excellent company! Though the cat-loving population seems equally as happy to shell out some bucks for their favorite felines, research shows that dog owners spend 38 percent more money on a gift for Fido than they do for Fifi.

So, we can easily determine that the vast majority of the dog-owning population DOES indeed buy at least one Christmas gift for their dog which tells us one of two things: either it is quite normal, or the world is in peril because 96 percent of its dog-loving inhabitants have taken a ride on the crazy train!  It’s plain to see that pooches will find plenty of presents under the tree this year, but what are the specs on them?

Here is a little examination of the Christmas present choices of owners who buy gifts for their pets:

• The Cost

Though the price range and number of gifts per pup varies from owner to owner, research shows that 48 percent of the dog Christmas present buying public chooses to spend between $10-$25 on gifts for Fido. 26 percent of dog owners are willing to go up a price bracket to the $26-$50 range, but very few extend their canine gift-giving ways to $100 or more.

• The Shopping Locale of Choice

With the convenience of one-click ordering from the comfort of your home, you would think the average dog owner would select online shopping over a trip to the mall, especially at this time of year. But the hard facts show that dog owners prefer a mix of the two, and if the balance is swayed in one direction, actual physical stores score higher points than online retailers. What is not known is if dog owners take Fido along to the store with them to help with the Christmas gift selection process.

• The Present Itself

So, we know the vast majority of the dog Christmas-present buying contingent is spending between $10-$50 on gifts for their pooches, but what we don’t yet know is what they are actually buying. For most dogs, special treats top the list of items mostly likely to be found in a stocking or under a Christmas tree. Toys are hot on their heels with items like beds, novelty clothing, and leashes and collars falling far lower on the list. One thing all dog owners agree on is that gift certificate for future services such as grooming or training classes land at the very bottom of the list. Makes sense…it’s pretty hard for a dog to get all excited about a piece of paper under the tree; especially when that piece of paper offers the promise of a future bath, blow dry, and nail cutting session! That is sure to inspire a “Bah Humbug” rather than the “Merry Christmas!” you were hoping for and is the canine equivalent of receiving a gift certificate to have your legs waxed. Nothing says Noel like a little post-Christmas torture to look forward to!

Other Interesting Facts

Interestingly enough, people who buy gifts for their dogs share many common traits with each other. 66 percent of people who buy gifts for their own dogs also opt to buy presents for dogs who belong to their friends, showing they are an extremely generous group of people.

By comparison, non-pet owners fall a little lower on the scale when it comes to gift-giving for Fido. A whopping 72 percent have a “No Fido gifts allowed” policy. 5 percent always purchase a gift for their friends’ dogs with 23 percent choosing to do it only when the mood strikes. And when these non-dog owners go shopping, what are they most likely to buy? The resounding answer is toys, and Fido heartily agrees that these are always a most appreciated gift.

If you were to ask Fido what he hopes to find under the Christmas tree this year, his answer might surprise you. While our dogs appreciate every little trinket, toy, bauble, or treat given to them in love, the number one thing on Fido’s Christmas list is typically a food puzzle. Who wouldn’t be delighted with an item that includes all of their favorite things in one package? Food, fun, and a chance to use their body and their brain—what could be more fun?

If you find yourself on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gift for the pooch in your life, rest assured you are not alone, and you are not crazy! People with dogs love to go a little nuts at Christmas and buy some special presents for Fido to enjoy. Whether you prefer to shop online or head straight for the nearest mall, you are sure to find some treasures that will make Fido’s Christmas merry and bright! Happy Shopping, dog lovers!