Do dogs enjoy Christmas? Unlike humans, dogs do not exactly understand what goes on during Christmas. However, it does not mean they will not enjoy it.
Give your dog Christmas gifts to help him associate the holidays with great memories and fun experiences.
Make doggy gifts even more special by creating them from scratch. Here are 5 easy-to-make Christmas presents your canine companion will love.
1. Christmas Meaty Dog Treats
What do you give a dog for Christmas? Homemade dog treats are often the go-to Christmas gifts of many dog lovers for their dogs. Bake some tasty snacks for your pooch these holidays using this recipe:
What you need:
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup all-natural, unsweetened pumpkin puree
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups almond flour
How to make these dog Christmas gifts:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Use parchment paper to line a baking sheet.
- Cook the ground beef in a skillet for 8–10 minutes. Set aside to cool down.
- In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the pumpkin puree, old-fashioned oats, large eggs, and almond flour using a whisk.
- Add in the cooked ground beef and stir until all ingredients are properly combined.
- Coat the lined baking sheet with a nonstick spray.
- Using a scooper, scoop out teaspoon-sized balls from the mixture. Place them on the baking sheet.
- Gently flatten them with your hand or a spatula.
- Bake these homemade Christmas dog treats for 20–30 minutes.
- Take them out of the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool down completely.
- Serve these holiday treats to your dog. Store leftovers in an airtight mason jar or a plastic container and place them in the fridge.
Notes for these dog gifts for Christmas:
- If your dog is allergic to beef, feel free to use other types of meat as substitutes, such as turkey or lamb.
- Store these Christmas dog treats in the refrigerator to make them last for up to 2–3 weeks. Place them in the freezer to lengthen their shelf-life to about 6 months.
2. Tennis Ball Treat Dispensers
Photo Credit: instructables
What gifts do dogs love? Nothing brings more joy to pooches than food and toys. These DIY tennis ball treat dispensers hit two birds with one stone, making them a wonderful choice as Christmas dog toys.
What you need:
- 2 tennis balls
- A serrated knife or a cutter
How to make these dog Christmas gifts:
- Wash the tennis balls in the washing machine using a low-spin cycle. Repeat this at least 3 times to soften them. It will prevent sharp edges from forming when you cut the tennis balls.
- Let them dry completely in the dryer.
- Using a knife or a cutter, carefully cut a 3-inch line across the ball.
- Cut another line of the same length. Make sure that both cuts are close to each other, about 2–4 millimetre apart. Doing so keeps the dog treats from easily falling out of the ball.
- Remove all of the stuffing inside the tennis ball. Always double-check to ensure that nothing is left inside, as they can cause choking.
- Gently squeeze the tennis ball to slightly widen the cuts and stuff your pooch’s favourite dog treats inside.
- Repeat all of these steps on the other tennis ball.
Notes for these dog gifts for Christmas:
- Standard-sized tennis balls are suitable for dogs of any size. Avoid choosing smaller tennis balls if you own a large dog since they are choking hazards.
- Supervision is important as your furry friend plays with this DIY dog toy. He might easily tear it open, particularly if he is a heavy chewer. So you should be there to get rid of tennis ball pieces to keep him from ingesting them.
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3. Dog-Safe Calming Spray
The DIY calming spray is a useful gift for dogs suffering from anxiety and stress. It primarily contains dog-friendly essential oils with relaxing scents that aid in alleviating their restlessness.
What you need:
- 4 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 4 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil
- 4 drops of sweet marjoram essential oil
- 4 ounces of distilled water
- A 5-ounce glass spray bottle
How to make one as dog Christmas gifts:
- Pour the distilled water into the spray bottle.
- Add 4 drops of frankincense essential oil, 4 drops of Roman chamomile essential oil, and 4 drops of sweet marjoram essential oil to the bottle.
- Shake vigorously before use. You can spritz this calming spray on your dog’s items, such as his toys, bed, or blanket, to help him relax. Misting your car with it whenever you need to drive your pooch somewhere, like the vet, is also a good idea.
Notes for this dog gift for Christmas:
- The calming spray is more effective when applied 30 minutes before your dog is exposed to the stress and anxiety-inducing stimulus. It provides plenty of time for the scent to work into his system and ease his distress.
- Avoid directly applying the calming spray on your dog’s coat, face, eyes, or nose, as it can cause irritation.
4. No-Sew Dog Blankets
You can make personalised dog blankets for your beloved dog even without proper sewing skills. All you have to do is follow our step-by-step guide to creating these dog Christmas presents.
What you need:
- 1-yard fleece fabric
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
How to make one as dog Christmas gifts:
- Use the scissors to cut off two 48×26-inch rectangles out of the fleece fabric. Remove selvages if there are any.
- Stack the two pieces of cloth on top of each other. If your fleece has a “right” and “wrong” side, make sure that both wrong sides face each other.
- Using a tailor’s chalk, mark all sides of the fabric with 1-inch-wide strips that are 4 inches in length. Once you are done, cut the areas with marks.
- Tie the strip from the top layer to the corresponding strip underneath it to create a knot.
- Do the same to the other remaining strips, and you are done.
5. Skin-Soothing Conditioner
A homemade conditioner is another terrific item that you can add to a dog’s Christmas stocking. Made with natural ingredients, this conditioner helps keep your pooch’s skin healthy and free from itchiness, as well as adds sheen to his coat.
What you need:
- 1/4 cup raw rolled oats
- 1/2 cup manuka honey
- 2 tablespoons shea butter
- 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves
- 2 cups water
- 1 lotion dispenser with a pump
How to make one as dog Christmas gifts:
- Boil the rosemary leaves in 2 cups of water for about 5 minutes. Strain and transfer the liquid to a cup. Set aside and allow to cool down.
- Put the rolled oats in a food processor and blend until fine.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk until everything is properly incorporated.
- Pour the conditioner into the lotion dispenser.
- Use the DIY conditioner by applying it on your dog’s wet coat after bathing him.
- Leave it on for around 5 minutes. Take this time to work out any mats or knotting on your dog’s coat.
- Rinse off the conditioner and towel your furry pal coat dry.
Notes for this dog gift for Christmas:
- Avoid leaving the conditioner on your dog for long periods, as this method would be counterproductive. It can easily make dirt and debris get stuck on his fur, which can cause tangles and mats.
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How to Choose Dog Christmas Gifts Your Dog Will Like
Fortunately for many dog parents, most dogs appreciate any surprises and present given to them. If your pooch does not fall under this category, finding gifts he loves will be tricky but not impossible.Knowing his personality and his favourite activities will help in narrowing down the type of dog Christmas gifts suitable for him. For example, if he is food-motivated but a picky eater, you can make homemade treats that cater to his taste.
Start churning out ideas for holiday dog gifts early to avoid making rushed decisions. It is only fair to make such efforts for your pet. After all, he is an important part of the family that provides unconditional love without asking for anything in return.
