Your Pets Daily - Christmas

8 Ways to Spoil Your Dog This Christmas Without Breaking the Bank!

Jessica Curtis — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:00:00 +0000

With the festive season just around the corner, many pet owners love the opportunity to spoil their dogs just as much as the rest of the family.

In fact, a recent study revealed that dog owners around the UK are planning to spend an average of £55.72 on Christmas gifts for their furry friends this year, totalling a whopping £3 billion across the UK.

But with many pinching their pennies this time of year, due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, the team at tails.com, have rounded up eight ways you can still spoil your dog this Christmas, without breaking the bank:

1. Bake a dog-friendly tasty treat

If you're considering treating your dog this Christmas, why not bake a homemade festive treat using ingredients you already have in your cupboards? Sadly, most of the delicious goodies we indulge in over the festive season aren't suitable for dogs.

However, with just a few simple ingredients you can whip up a batch of delicious Apple and Gingerbread Biscuits that are completely dog-friendly. If you're looking to do something extra special this Christmas for your four-legged friend you can't go wrong with baking.

2. Plan a festive walk

Christmas is the perfect time to wrap up warm, throw on some wellies and go for a walk in the crisp winter air with your furry friend in tow. Whether you're looking for a beach to blow the cobwebs out, or a woodland area to discover creatures and nature that come to life in winter, your dog will love a festive walk this Christmas. This time of year is truly breathtaking!

Be extra cautious when walking your dog during autumn and winter, as the cold temperatures, and dark nights can pose a threat to you and your beloved pet.

3. Snuggle down for a movie marathon

If the weather has taken a turn for the worse, a movie night with your four-legged friend is a great way to celebrate the festive season. Grab your dog's favourite toy, blankets and perhaps some special treats so they can snuggle down with you to watch a film.

To make it extra special for your dog, put on a movie that your furry friend is guaranteed to love, like Santa Paws, Secret Life of Pets or 101 Dalmatians.

4. Prepare a dog-friendly dinner

There's nothing better than sitting down to enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings - and we're not the only ones who love this festive tradition. There are plenty of delicious festive foods that our four-legged friends can enjoy safely.

But while we tuck into our delicious turkey dinners and selection boxes, it's important to remind ourselves that not every Christmas treat is designed to be suitable for our dogs. Some human treats can cause digestive upset in our canine companions, like chocolate, mince pies, Christmas pudding, onions, garlic, nuts, leeks, meat skin and bones.

5. A trip to the Christmas markets

The UK's Christmas markets have officially opened for 2023, filling cities with the sound of Christmas music and the smell of delicious festive food and drinks. Some of the best markets are dog-friendly, so treat yourself to a weekend of festive fun with your dog by your side.

Remember that the Christmas markets can get crowded, so it's important to keep your dog safe. Avoid the markets during the busier periods, keep them close to you and be careful when walking around that they don't eat anything dangerous from the floor.

6. Spend time together

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can feel overwhelming, especially for our pups. From holiday parties to Christmas shopping and visits to see family, you may find yourself out of the house and away from your pet more than usual.

One way to ensure your dog has a great Christmas is to spend one-on-one time with them - block out time in your busy festive calendar to be at home with your furry friend.

7. Do something extra special

Why not treat your canine companion with their very own gift that's bursting with fun and flavour? Make their day extra special by finding them the ultimate gift to match their personality, from personalised treats to toys or a cosy new bed.

The Jack Brussel Sprout toy from tails.com's 2023 Christmas Range will also provide hours of fun this Christmas!

8. Take a stroll on the beach

At this time of year, most UK beaches have lifted the restrictions for dogs, meaning you can head down to your favourite spot, or travel a little further to a new destination for a stroll along the seafront. The beach provides plenty of opportunities to chase after balls, splash in the water or take a relaxing walk across the sand.

It's important to be extra cautious when taking your dog to the beach during winter as the water will be much colder than usual, so keep your dog on a long lead.

Countdown to Christmas with tails.com’s 2023 Advent Calendar

Tom Stone — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000

This year the team at tails.com are bringing back their sold-out advent calendar - but better than ever! As well as the the return of the Christmas favourite Jack Brussel Toy - a sprout finally everyone will like!

After selling out last year, their advent calendar is back, and this time better than ever. For 2023, the countdown calendar is packed full of delicious biscuits, that come in 3 lip-smacking festive flavours including turkey, cheese, and carob! -the daily variety will be sure to give your dog something exciting to look forward to each day during the run-up to the big day. Plus - there's a final bumper treat hiding behind door number 25 - to let your furry friend know it's Christmas!

Tails.com's Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar retails at just £12.00 and will be available for order from the tails.com website now. If you want to make sure the calendar packed full of Christmas goodies for your dog, arrives for December 1st make sure to order before the 27th November!

Christmas Countdown Advent Calendar - £12 - available to buy now via: https://shop.tails.com/christmas

This year also sees the return of Jack Brussel, the only sprout to get excited about this year! As an exclusive collaboration with Beco, he's a limited edition tough toy, double stitched to last and filled with stuffing made from recyclable materials. A sprout finally everyone will like!

Jack Brussel - £9.99 - available to buy now via: https://shop.tails.com/christmas

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Christmas Safety: How to fire-proof, dog-proof and stain-proof your home

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 10:19:59 +0000

With Christmas being justsix weeks away, GTSE.co.uk wanted to discover the best ways to have a safe and damage-free Christmas when putting up your decorations, eating Christmas dinner and hanging lights both indoors and outdoors.

Using their expert knowledge on cable ties, widespread research and speaking with Lindsay Arliss, Dog Behaviour and Training Specialist at Wood Green, GTSE.co.uk compiled six tips to avoid damage when decking the halls this Christmas.

1. Regularly water your tree(s) sat near Christmas lights

One of the main reasons for Christmas fires is people using high-voltage bulbs for their Christmas lights next to dried leaves from their Christmas tree(s). So, make sure you give your tree(s) a nice drink of water over the festive period and spray the leaves using a water spritzer.

2. Use cable ties and clips to avoid damaging your walls

Over the festive period, you’ll likely be hanging seasonal decorations around the home. But it’s important to use tools that don’t damage your walls in the process. So, use the following:

Self-adhesive cable clips: These help you to hook hanging decorations up really easily.
Self-adhesive cable ties: For hanging bulky decorations on your walls, being sturdy enough to hold them in place.

As well as…

Double-sided tape: This is an effective solution for lighter items, but remember it’ll struggle to hold up heavier decorations.
Washi tape: This peels off very easily, and doesn’t damage your decorations (or walls).

3. Attach ribbons to your staircase

Part of decorating for Christmas involves sticking your Christmas cards up on the walls. But, this involves using a lot of tack, which can leave marks on your walls and surfaces. Instead, use ribbons to hang up your Christmas cards against your hallway banister. This avoids washing down tack in the new year! Simply:

Use craft glue and apply this to the ribbon itself.
Place your Christmas cards in a vertical position against the glue, all the way down to the length of the ribbon.
Lay this newly created ‘bunting’ on a surface and allow it to cool.
Next, wrap the ribbon around your hallway banister and tie it together. Viola!

4.Avoid using decorations that are harmful to your dog

If you have a dog, consider the types of decorations you choose carefully, as most plastic or metal items can pose a danger if consumed. So, avoid the following Christmas decorations:

Decorative glitter or ribbons – Instead, opt for plain brown paper or cardboard. They’ll have just as much fun tearing open the package, and it’s much safer!
Berries from sprigs of holly or mistletoe – These can be toxic for dogs, so we recommend you decorate with artificial versions.

5. Use extra materials under the base of your tree

Placing your tree on top of a sturdy piece of plywood.
If you have hardwood flooring, place a non-skid mat underneath your Christmas tree stand (to avoid scratching).

6.Use this magic concoction to remove gravy spills

Christmas dinner spills are likely to happen, especially with gravy. If this happens, once you’ve mopped up as much gravy as you can, attend to the remaining staining by:

Sprinkling baking soda or corn-starch over the affected area.
Leave this to stand for around 15 minutes, before vacuuming the area.
If there’s any marking left over, mix one tablespoon of washing-up liquid with one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water.
Then, blot the stain with a white cloth. Voila!

To conclude, Kirstie Batty, Head of Merchandising at GTSE says: “Although the festive season can bring a lot of joy, it can also be a busy period and manic for many. Avoiding any damages or safety issues gives families peace of mind when enjoying Christmas and we hope our advice inspires people to keep themselves and their pets happy throughout. “

For further tips on how to keep your home damage-free this Christmas, visit: https://gtse.co.uk/blog/how-to-guarantee-a-damagefree-christmas

Your Pets Daily - Christmas

8 Ways to Spoil Your Dog This Christmas Without Breaking the Bank!

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Countdown to Christmas with tails.com’s 2023 Advent Calendar

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Christmas Safety: How to fire-proof, dog-proof and stain-proof your home

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