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Holidays Close to Home Activities with Pets

Our pets were good cats and dogs in a very not-so-good and stressful year. Our canine and feline companions are always with us through thick and thin and encourage us to create holiday traditions that include them. Including your pets in holiday traditions are important and brings families together and gives your pet a way to have a happy holiday and be safe. It’s not recommended this year to travel or attend large gatherings, especially those indoors and that are close quarters however there are some holiday close to home activities that you can do with your pets and share on social media and in Zoom calls with the family so you feel more connected and possibly you can create new holiday traditions to share with your beloved furry family members.

Dogs Riding Safely In The Car

Most dogs who associate the car with adventure instantly are thrilled to “Let’s go for a ride!” Plus, many people already have traditions of going out the night before Christmas or the days before and seeking out the best, the tackiest, and most over the top Christmas light displays. Pack up your dogs in the car, play your favorite holiday mix CD or playlist, and hit the roads to soak up the lights and inflatable snowmen together this year! Don’t just hit the main streets, put your GPS to work occasionally, and seek out the side streets and countryside big farmhouses where you may find elaborate light displays around lakes and even strange displays like cinderblock flotillas of boats elegantly lit up in the middle of a pond. You can also take your dog on drive-through displays of lights and music as a free passenger! From traditional windows to icicle lights dripping from every horizontal house surface, light displays are a fun way to get in the holiday spirit and explore the world around you from the safety of your car and get some great pictures.

Reflective Collar & Follow Public Health & Safety Mandates

Just make sure your dog is warm and cozy (or cooled off in the Southern hemisphere) while on your tour of the local lights! Always keep your dog in the car and attach their harness to the seat if you stop. You can also take your dog on an evening walk to check out the light displays but be sure to wear a reflective or light-up collar and follow local public health and safety mandates, especially socially distancing.

Since celebrations and gatherings are spent with our social bubble and more about intimate gatherings. Try to focus on celebrating the “smaller moments”. One way to do so is to upcycle, recycle, and use natural and found items to decorate with and your dog can help you find the perfect things to celebrate and craft with. If you have a cat that likes wearing a leash and going on walks, they can also come with you as you do for a walk in the woods and wind down and look for décor ideas.  You might want to collect rocks to paint designs on, pinecones to display in a basket and you both get out and some exercise. Just make sure your pet has is up to date on their flea and tick prevention treatments.

Zoom Cookie Exchanges

Cookie exchanges are a way to share with friends, neighbors, and families and make a batch of both human and pet cookies or treats, choose four to six pals, and organize a cookie exchange for your households and theirs. Use Zoom to organize the exchange, and each baker uses their favorite recipes for humans and pets and then instead of a cookie exchange party, arrange a day of being “cookie Santa’s” or “Hannukah Lights” and drop off cookies and pet treats on the porch. Set the date and the next day, drop off lovely handmade treats to friends. Your dog gets to try new homemade treats and you get to share your best cookies and discover new favorites. You can have a cookie tasting on Zoom and share coffee, cocoa, or even wine as you try the other cookies. Your dogs and cats should only try one pet treat a day!

Pet Photo Shoot – Check Your Local Humane Society

Arrange an at-home pet shoot too to change the routine. If you can’t travel, you can share your cute pet pics online. Just dress the dog up, set up a backdrop of holiday fun, and take the time to engage your pet and take thousands of pics of your pets and the kids until you get the picture-perfect holiday on the camera. Not all pets like to dress up so allow your dog or cat to just be themselves near the presents or by the tree and you’ll be sure to get great pictures.

2 Paws Up Inc Pet Care and Dog Training are here to help with your pet care during the holiday season and beyond. We are now offering dog training to assist busy professionals to establish good behavior with their dog(s). Let’s come to you for private in-home training or day training while your busy working. We help all breeds.

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