Christmas with Greyhounds
Dec 20, 2022
Christmas can be a stressful time for us all, but it can also be filled with joy. If this is your first festive season with a greyhound in your family, then I have some tips for you! If you have had a hound for a while, I promise my advice should also be helpful (but I admit my bias on that) – and if you do not (yet) have one, this is great advice for all pet owners, surely!
Christmas Gifts
If you are anything at all like me, you will be dying to get your greyhound something for Christmas. Gifts in this space tend to fall into two categories: something they will love, and something you will love. In the category of gifts, they will love, you can get them a particularly delicious treat, such as a goat’s horn (which is long-lasting!) or a big juicy bone (raw of course, never cooked). Toys are also a great idea, if your hound is so inclined – many stores will bring out festively themed toys at Christmas time. On the other side of the fence, some gifts might please you a little more than it does them – namely, clothes. New pyjamas (try Greyhound Blankets by Bec, Houndtees, Oboe and Piccolo, Annie’s Coats and many more) are my go-to, but if you want the comedy factor, Kmart sells some adorable Christmas-themed hats. Warning: compliance is not guaranteed!
Christmas Treats
Speaking of treats as I just have, let us talk about what to avoid. The biggest thing I tell new dog owners is DO NOT BUY RAWHIDE! At this time of year, every single chain store will bring out fun festive rawhide treats – they are affordable and fun and seem like a great idea. But buyers beware – rawhide is extremely dangerous for all dogs. They famously cause major digestive issues, and they are full of nasty chemicals, and can pose a choking risk when they become slimy and can get stuck. Instead, look for your local pet food store – I go to my local market, Old Spot, where I visit Murphy’s Paw – a stall run by a friendly local who owns a greyhound herself! Shops like this sell a wide range of much safer options, such as dried bones, goat’s horns, hooves, ears – you name it, they have got it. Places online such as ‘Petsnacks’ also sell natural and healthy treats that are the perfect snack. They are usually much more affordable as well as much healthier and safer – just remember, all treats and snack should be given in moderation of course!
Sharing Christmas Dinner
Being realistic, no matter how hard we try, there is always a risk that our dogs will get into our Christmas food. Some things are safe in moderation: roast meat, watermelon, apple, and veggies that do not have onion or garlic on them, for example. Others are safe but might upset your dog’s tummy even in lesser amounts, such as gravy, ham (too salty!), bread, and potatoes. And of course, some foods are super dangerous for dogs and need to be avoided at all costs: garlic, onion, grapes, alcohol, chocolate, and cooked bones. Cooked bones might be tempting but are never a clever idea – they can splinter and cause severe damage. Around the festive season we often have lots of these delicious things around the place, so stay diligent – and remember, greyhounds are tall enough to see the top of the kitchen counter…
From everyone here at GAP, we want to wish you the Merriest of Christmases and a very safe festive season. Share all this summer love with your pets as much as you can, and we will look forward to seeing lots of festive photos in the coming weeks!
Author: Charlie Jayde
Greyhound Owner for 4 years / GAP Volunteer
Experienced Dog Trainer
