A Calm Christmas for Your Dog: Visitors, Noise and Travel

The short answer: keep your dog's routine as normal as you can, give them a quiet room to escape to, ask visitors to let them come over in their own time, and keep festive food well out of reach. Plan journeys with plenty of breaks, and if your dog finds busy times hard, start a daily calming routine a few weeks before.

Christmas is a lot for dogs. The house fills with people, the routine goes out of the window, there are new smells, wrapping paper, music and food everywhere, and sometimes a long car journey on top. Here's how to help your dog enjoy it, or at least get through it calmly.

Signs your dog is finding Christmas stressful

• Hiding, or following you everywhere
• Barking at every knock or new arrival
• Panting, pacing or not settling
• Lip licking, yawning or turning away from people
• Going off their food or having an upset tummy

Keep their routine as normal as possible

Dogs find comfort in routine. Try to keep walks and meals at their usual times, even on Christmas Day. A good morning walk before the chaos starts helps them settle for the rest of the day.

Give them a quiet space

Set up a calm room or corner with their bed, water, a favourite toy and a blanket that smells of home. Make it a no go zone for visitors and children, and let your dog choose when to go there.

Visitors and parties

• Let them come over in their own time. Ask guests not to crowd or fuss a dog who isn't ready.
• Brief children to give the dog space, especially while eating or sleeping.
• Watch the front door. With people coming and going, it's easy for a dog to slip out.
• Give them a job: a long lasting chew or a stuffed toy in their quiet space keeps them busy and calm.

Festive foods dogs must never eat

• Chocolate, including chocolate tree decorations
• Grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants, which means mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake
• Onions, garlic and leeks, including stuffing and gravy
• Cooked bones, which can splinter
• Macadamia nuts
• Alcohol
• Sweets and gum containing xylitol

If your dog eats something they shouldn't, call your vet straight away, even on Christmas Day.

Decorations and presents

• Keep tinsel, baubles and fairy light wires out of reach
• Don't put edible presents under the tree
• Tidy wrapping paper and ribbon, which can cause blockages if eaten

Travelling at Christmas

• Plan breaks every couple of hours for a walk, a wee and some water.
• Bring home comforts: their bed, blanket, toys, food and bowls.
• Keep them secure in the car with a crate, guard or harness.
• Check where you're staying is dog friendly and dog safe, especially if there are other pets.

Heading away for Christmas? See our guide to dog friendly Christmas breaks in the UK.

Don't forget New Year's Eve

Christmas is quickly followed by midnight fireworks. Read how to keep your dog calm on New Year's Eve to plan ahead.

Frequently asked questions

Can I give my dog Christmas dinner?

A little plain turkey meat with no skin, bones, gravy or stuffing, and a few plain vegetables like carrots, is usually fine. Avoid anything with onion, garlic, grapes, raisins or rich sauces.

How do I stop my dog barking at visitors?

Set them up in their quiet space before guests arrive, keep greetings calm and low key, and reward them for settling. For dogs who find visitors hard all year round, read dog anxiety: signs, causes and how to help.

When should I start calming chews before Christmas?

A few weeks before if you can. Pupps Calming soft chews are made to be given every day, and owners tell us the difference builds over the first few weeks.