How to Celebrate the Holidays With Your Fur Babies

How to : Fun, Safe & Festive Ideas (Baltimore Edition)

By Swan Harbor Pet Urgent Care – Baltimore, MD

The holiday season is a magical time of year, and your dog deserves to be part of the celebrations, too! From cozy nights by the fire to festive outings around Baltimore, there are plenty of ways to make memories with your pup this Christmas. Here are fun, safe, and heartwarming ways to celebrate the holidays with your four-legged family member.

🎁 1. Include Your Dog in Holiday Traditions

Your dog can be part of almost any festive tradition—you just have to get creative.

Ideas:

• Let your dog “unwrap” a gift (use tissue paper instead of wrapping paper)

• Make a paw-print ornament for your tree

• Create a holiday-themed dog treat baking day

If you need an adorable holiday photo for your mantel or Instagram, try a mini photoshoot at home—or join us on December 2nd or 3rd for our Free holiday photo session at The Downtown Dog Resort & Spa, where their staff creates adorable backdrops and keeps your dog relaxed and comfortable, and get their photos taken with Santa.

🎄 2. Enjoy Holiday Activities Around Baltimore

Baltimore has plenty of pet-friendly holiday activities:

• Drive through local light displays

• Visit dog-friendly holiday markets

• Stroll neighborhoods with festive decorations

If your dog loves socializing, consider a holiday playday at The Downtown Dog Resort & Spa, an upscale daycare in downtown Baltimore with spacious indoor playrooms and holiday enrichment activities. Plus, free on-site parking makes drop-off easy during the busy season.

🐾 3. Give Your Dog Quality Enrichment

Holiday schedules can get hectic! Keep your dog mentally and physically engaged with:

• Puzzle toys

• Frozen treat KONGS

• Festive snuffle mats

• Holiday-themed enrichment toys

For dogs who need extra stimulation (or simply love being around friends), book a festive daycare day at the Downtown Dog Resort to keep them happy and active while you prep for the festivities.

💛 4. Keep Safety in Mind

Celebrating is fun—until the tinsel hits the floor. Keep holiday hazards out of reach:

• Ornaments• Gift ribbons

• Electrical cords

• Toxic holiday plants (mistletoe, poinsettia, lilies)

If your pet gets into trouble, Swan Harbor Pet Urgent Care is there to help with emergencies.

⭐ Baltimore Holiday Pet Care Tip

Hosting guests? Loud gatherings and unfamiliar people can stress out even the friendliest dogs. Give them a safe retreat—or book a relaxing “holiday staycation” at the Downtown Dog Resort to keep their routine stress-free.