The holidays are right around the corner, and of course we want to involve our furry friends and family in the activities! Whether it be gift giving, sledding, or a fun city walk to see the lights, there are plenty of ways to involve our pups. Here are some of the best activities and gifts you can spoil your pup with, as well as some things you’ll want to steer clear of. Plus, a list will be included at the end of the blog with links to some of our favorite winter pet products!

As the snow begins to fall, it is some of our pup’s first time experiencing this weather. Considering this, it is important to support your pup in their curiosity or wariness of the changing world around them. Introduce them to snow, rain, and other new types of weather at their comfort level. Some dogs don’t like getting their paws wet, while others you’ll have to drag back inside! If your dog has short fur, you may want to invest in a sweater or jacket for your pup. Not only will this keep your pup warm, but it can also protect their coat from getting snow and ice tangled in their coats. There are plenty of options to choose from that cover a wide variety of needs. Whether you need a sweater or hoodie, or a full down jacket, there is something for every pup!

Equally important is protecting our pups’ paws. Snow and ice can lead to their paws getting too cold and developing sores or cracks on or in between their pads. This can also happen as a result of the salt commonly used on sidewalks and in parking lots. Using booties designed for use in the cold will ensure your pup’s paws stay protected!

For some dogs, wearing clothes and shoes can be uncomfortable and overwhelming. It is important to desensitize your pup to the way booties or clothing feels, as well as to train them on how to help you put them on and take them off! Taking it slow and using lots of yummy treats to lure their head through the jacket, or to keep them standing while you strap on booties will save you a headache when it’s time to walk outside. 

Gift-giving is one of the most fun parts of the holiday season, but it is hard to know what to get for our pups that will be good for them and that they will still enjoy! There are lots of gimmicky products for pets, and this is especially true during the holiday season. Walking into pet stores and seeing giant bones and toys with bows can be very tempting, but these are often the worst quality gifts to give our pets. Rawhide is commonly used to make dog chews, and can be shaped into alluringly large candy canes, huge bones, etc. However, rawhide is very difficult for dogs to digest and can lead to blockages and indigestion. Some safer and healthier options for our pups are chews made of collagen or beef cheek, or bully sticks. Check out our Chews Wisely blog post for more information on chews! Some gift ideas you can also consider instead are: new toys they can play with, a new harness or collar, an interactive food puzzle toy, or even just a long sniffari! 

Whether it’s your pup’s first holiday season or they are seasoned veterans to our holiday shenanigans, there are plenty of ways to get them involved in the fun! 

Here’s our compiled list of some of our favorite winter products!

• Spark Paws Matching Dog/Human Hoodies
• Ruffwear Warm Dog Jacket
• NonStop Dog Wear Warm Dog Jacket
• WagWellies Dog Booties
• RC Pets Winter Dog Booties
• Ruffwear Snow Boots for Dogs
• Snoop Food Puzzle Toy
• Snuffle Mat
• Beef Cheek Rolls for Dogs
• Bully Stick Holder
• Tough Dog Toys

Happy Howl-idays!