12 days of holidays with your pet

Need some fun and practical activities to do with your pet this holiday? We’ve got 12 ideas to get you started.

Say cheese!
Rudolph ears, jingle bells, or cheesy sweaters — there’s no shortage of holiday-themed pet accessories available in this world. Get your little cutie ready and include them in your family holiday photos. Or better yet, feature them on your holiday card or newsletter. Everyone loves getting a holiday card with a cuddly cat or derpy doggo on it, right?
Hitting the road
Got travel plans coming up? Take your pet with you! Road trips are arguably the easiest way to tow your fuzzball around, but many transit companies allow pets too. We’ve got helpful travel tips over here, but in short: if you’re flying, call the carrier to ensure you have the correct paperwork to allow your pet to fly; if you’re traveling by car, make sure to take a road trip kit that includes water, food, medication, a favorite blankey or toy, vaccination paperwork, and leash or harness; and if you’re traveling by train or bus, confirm if your pet is allowed — not every carrier welcomes non-service pets. And don’t forget about crossing borders. Sometimes interstate as well as international travel requires its own paperwork. Banfield can help you know where to check and keep you covered.
Let’s get physical
We know this time of year is tough for staying active. It’s usually cold, sometimes gray, and why does it have to get dark at 4:30PM?! To help you and your pet stay active during this harsh time of year, consider creating an indoor obstacle course, play hide-and-seek with your pet’s treats, set up a play date, or play indoor-friendly fetch.
A tree for your tootsie
You’ve got the big tree in the living room — why not add a tiny one for your little elfin? Decorate their bitsy tree with dog- or cat-themed ornaments, framed pictures of important pet milestones, or an ornament featuring their oh-so-adorable paw print. Just be careful about what they might play with and ensure your ornaments (and tree) are pet-friendly.
Paw print ornament cuteness
Speaking of paw print ornaments, this is a beautiful and inexpensive gift to make for yourself or your loved ones. There are several DIY salt dough recipes available online, or you can purchase an ornament-making kit.
A stocking for your sweetie
Just like the tiny holiday tree, create a stocking for your pet! You can get really fancy and order a custom stocking with your little cutie’s name and photo on it, but the DIY stockings are way more fun. Sequins, glitter, felt — go wild with it! Just be sure your pet isn’t around to sniff or swallow any of the accoutrements.
Include your pet in the gift giving
Why not include your pet in the gift-giving fun? Purchase their favorite treat or a nice new toy, wrap it up, and help them open the gift alongside everyone else. Keep your expectations low on what they might get for you.
A picture with Santa
Did you know there are many places in your community that let your pet meet Santa? Do a quick internet search to see if any of your local nonprofits and/or other organizations are hosting a holiday pet photo session.
Honor the pets who’ve left us
The end of the year is a time to reflect on the people and pets who’ve left us. If you lost a pet this year, consider creating a little shrine to them with lights and photos, or a little memory box filled with mementos. Donate to an animal-related charity in their name, or order a piece of jewelry with their name on it for yourself, your partner, or your child.
Donate to animal organizations
If you make donations at the end of the year, consider including animal-related organizations to your list. Many local, regional, and national animal organizations could use your help, and you can always make a donation in honor of a person or pet you love. One nonprofit to consider? Banfield Foundation. Through grants and partnerships, the Banfield Foundation provides medical supplies and resources to nonprofit partners in need, and supports pets, people, and communities in crisis. Donate today!
Holiday treats for the win
The holidays are full of fun foods for humans, but what about pets? Many human foods are toxic to dogs and cats, so we highly recommend not feeding them food from the table. However, we have some great pet-friendly recipes that will make your furball's back end wiggle.
Snuggle on the couch
One of the best parts of the holidays is snuggling on the couch with the people and pets you love. Put on one of your favorite animal-themed movies, or binge funny dog or cat videos. Heck, even those hours-long videos featuring birds and squirrels are fun to watch with your little cutie by your side.