Remember Your Pets At Christmas Too!

Christmas is a time for kids of all ages. It seems that everyone buzzes with excitement at the idea of decorating the house, and giving or receiving presents. When remembering friends and loved ones, it is important to remember pets at Christmas, too.

There is always a good market for pet-themed items. At the holiday season, retailers go out of their way to ensure that dogs, cats, and other pets can be included in the festivities. There are specialist stores where savvy shoppers can find the perfect item for their pet. Department stores, too, expand their usual line of animal care to include seasonal treats for loved ones.

Everything from the sublime to the ridiculous can be found with a bit of investigation. Clothing, coats, treats, toys, costumes, and all manner of grooming essentials are all offered for sale. There are even bakeries which cater only to pets. Items are available in a wide range of prices, from inexpensive treats, to diamond encrusted collars. It's just a matter of choice, and budget.

Clothing often makes a good choice, especially for a dog or a cat. Seasonal coats can be comforting to an animal in the cold or wet weather. Knit sweaters can be soothing to old bones. There are many designs from which to choose. It is harder to outfit a very small or a very large animal, though. Chihuahuas and Great Danes will take more searching to find the right garment at the right price than a more medium-sized animal.

Some shops offer ready-made Christmas stockings for pets. These are usually mesh or see-through, and can be themed for cats, dogs, birds, rodents and others.  While these are convenient, they can be pricey, and there may be some question as to the quality of the items included. A better idea would be to obtain an inexpensive stocking, one that can be reused, and perhaps write the animal's name on it in marker or glitter. This way, the stocking can be filled with appropriate treats, and refilled from year to year.

Christmas is not just about spoiling the pet, though. At this time of year there is additional commotion in the house, possibly more than at any other time of year. Safety has to be considered, as well as fun times. This is the best way to remember pets at Christmas. 

People may be coming in and out of the home more frequently during the holidays, and this is cause to be extra diligent for the safety of the animal members of the family. They need a quiet place where they can retreat from all the hustle and bustle without being interrupted. Children need to be taught to leave pets alone when they are resting. Extra care needs to be taken to ensure that doors are secure, that animals are safe, and that treats from the table are limited. What is safe for humans to eat may be toxic to animals, particularly seasonal treats like chocolate, or items that contain raisins or onions.

Beloved animals need to be taught to stay away from the tree and the decorations, too. The blinking lights may be attractive to chase, or the wires to those lights mistaken for a new toy. If the pets cannot be taught to stay away from the tree, then the tree must be kept away from the pet. It is not fair to restrict the animal just for the sake of convenience, although that is a better option than one that may lead to harm.

Finally, it must be remembered that a puppy is not a good idea for a Christmas present. Puppies are hard work, and bringing them into a family during the commotion of the holidays is not a good way to start training and bonding. Puppies and kittens both need time, and families as a rule are busier than usual at the holidays. Puppies chew, and there are more decorations and toys than usual to tempt baby teeth during this time of year. It's also easier to housetrain a young animal when the weather is warm and sunny than in the cold and wet of winter. Putting the animals first is always the best way to remember pets at Christmas.