Give your pets a merry little Christmas

The festive season is just around the corner and here at The Blue Cross, we’re encouraging pet owners to include their furry friends in all the fun too. Read on and listen to our petcasts to discover money saving present ideas for pets as well as tips on how to ensure your pet has a fun Christmas. We also highlight some safety reminders: after all, this is a time of year that we all can over-indulge, even our pets!

• Christmas petcast: Get the low-down on how to ensure your pet has as much fun as you do this Christmas. Or, if you prefer, have a listen to our quick Christmas tips.

Here are our best ideas to make sure your pet has a fun and safe Christmas:

• Give your pet a special gift too. Save money by making them a present yourself using an empty cardboard box filled with torn wrapping paper. Turn it into a treasure hunt by hiding their favourite treat inside. 
• When you deck the halls and dress the tree make sure the decorations (especially tinsel and baubles) are high up and out of reach.
• Walk off the Christmas dinner and take your dog to their favourite park for a run around and time with their canine chums.
• Never give chocolate or alcohol to your pet and remember mistletoe and poinsettia are also poisonous to them.
• Try to keep to your pet’s normal routine. Feed and exercise them at their usual times.
• Let pets join in the fun. Play a game of hide and seek with them or teach them a new trick to show everyone on Christmas day. 
• Do not give pets bones because they can splinter and cause mouth injuries or be swallowed and get stuck.
• Loud noises from Christmas crackers and fireworks can frighten some pets so make there is a quiet place they can go to.

Money saving present ideas for your pet

We have a great range of affordable Christmas presents in our catalogue. You can view this online at www.bluecrossshop.org.uk. Also, remember that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your pet to have fun. Why not invent a new game? We’ve got loads of ideas:

Dogs:

• Dogs love a game of hide and seek. Either hide away and see how long it takes your dog to find you, or try hiding their favourite toy or a small treat for them to sniff out.
• Fetch with their favourite toy is a game dogs never tire of
• Fill a cardboard box with ripped up wrapping paper and hide a couple of treats to make a treasure hunt game
• If your dog likes to be groomed or massaged, then spend some time pampering him
• Dogs get great enjoyment from a good walk. Take them to their favourite park for a run around and time with their canine chums.

Cats:

• Curious cats will enjoy this one: place their favourite treat or small piece of de-boned turkey or tuna in a screwed up paper ball and let your cat figure out how to find the treat!
• An empty cardboard box or paper (not plastic) shopping bags are ideal for cats to play hide and seek in, and later, a nice place to go for privacy
• Fill a cardboard box with ripped up wrapping paper and hide a couple of treats to make a treasure hunt game
• Roll cotton reels across the floor - your cat will have a blast
• Play a game of catch with a large feather or an old yoghurt pot.
• Drag a piece of string along the ground or dangle it in the air for cats to chase, but never leave them to play with string on their own
• Teach your cat a new trick to impress your guests - such as giving a roll over or play asleep on command

Rabbits:

• Rabbits like hide and seek too. Find some cardboard boxes for them to play hide and seek in, or put a few together to create a tunnel
• Dangle carrots or other root vegetables on string for them to nibble
• Hide small bits of carrot in boxes of hay or empty plant pots
• Fill a cardboard box with hay and hide a couple of treats to make a treasure hunt game

Do you have some money saving pet present ideas you'd like to share? Or would you like more ideas? Visit the forum on All About Pets.