Christmas is exciting, chaotic, noisy, delicious — and sometimes a little overwhelming for our dogs.

With visitors coming and going, rich food everywhere, wrapping paper chaos and unusual routines, it’s no surprise many dogs struggle on the big day.

Here are essential, last-minute tips to help your dog stay safe, calm and comfortable this Christmas.

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🎁 1. Keep Festive Foods Out of Reach

Christmas food is one of the biggest sources of accidental dog emergencies.
Here’s what to keep off the menu:

❌ Chocolate
❌ Mince pies, Christmas pudding & anything with raisins
❌ Onions & leeks (in stuffing, gravy, leftovers)
❌ Sausages in blankets (too salty, too fatty)
❌ Macadamia nuts
❌ Alcohol
❌ Xylitol sweeteners

Safe swaps instead:

✔ A little plain turkey (no skin, no bones)
✔ Cooked carrots or green beans
✔ A spoon of plain sweet potato
✔ A few blueberries

Digestive upsets are extremely common in December — if your dog needs support, explore our Digestive & Gut Health collection.

2. Create a Quiet “Retreat Space”

Christmas Day can feel intense for dogs — new people, new noises, new smells.
Set up a cosy space where your dog can retreat when they need a break.

Try:

• A crate or corner with blankets
• Familiar toys
• Soft lighting
• A calming chew
• A “do not disturb” mindset for children

If your dog is naturally reactive or noise-sensitive, you may find additional support in our Calming Collection:
👉 https://proflax.co.uk/collections/calming

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✨ 3. Keep Wrapping Paper Chaos Safe

Dogs LOVE getting involved in gift opening, but some materials can be dangerous.

Safe options:
✔ Plain wrapping paper
✔ Cardboard
✔ Tissue paper

Avoid:
❌ Foil wrapping
❌ Glitter paper
❌ Ribbons & bows
❌ String
❌ Tape

Supervise excited shredders — swallowing tape or ribbon can cause blockages.

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🧠 4. Use Enrichment to Reduce Festive Hyperactivity

A little mental stimulation goes a long way on busy days.

Try:

• Snuffle mats
• Lick mats
• Frozen Kongs
• Short training moments
• Scent games
• Scatter feeding

Enrichment can also prevent stress-related digestive issues — for support, explore our Digestive & Gut Health range:
👉 https://proflax.co.uk/collections/gut-health

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👨👩👧👦 5. Manage Visitors With Calm Boundaries

Visitors can be thrilling — or overwhelming.
Help your dog by:

• Letting them greet people in their own time
• Asking guests to stay calm on arrival
• Giving your dog breaks throughout the day
• Supervising children
• Keeping routine mealtimes and toilet breaks normal

If your dog struggles with overexcitement or stress from guests, our Calming Collection offers natural support:
👉 https://proflax.co.uk/collections/calming

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🚶♂️ 6. Prioritise a Calm Morning Walk

A gentle walk before the chaos begins can make the whole day smoother.

Benefits include:

• Reduced hyperactivity
• Easier greetings
• Better digestion
• Lower stress levels

Even 15–20 minutes helps ground your dog before visitors arrive.

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⚠️ 7. Be Firework-Aware (Even at Christmas)

While fireworks peak at New Year’s Eve, some areas have displays in the days before and after Christmas.

Prepare by:

• Walking earlier
• Staying close to home
• Turning on background noise
• Watching for signs of anxiety

For noise-sensitive dogs, natural calming support can make this period more manageable:
👉 https://proflax.co.uk/collections/calming

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💚 Make Christmas Safe & Calm for Your Dog

A dog-safe Christmas doesn’t mean doing less — just planning ahead and making small adjustments that keep your dog comfortable.
With gentle boundaries, safe food choices, a cosy retreat space and a little enrichment, you can enjoy a festive, happy day together.

Wishing you and your dog a safe, calm and magical Christmas. 🎄🐾