Do they know it's Christmas? How dogs see Christmas Day

Us humans understand exactly what’s going on at Christmas, but dogs don’t have a clue. It’s a time when their owners put new things up around the home, return home with shopping bags regularly and there’s always a lot of food in the house.

We don’t often consider what Christmas day must be like for dogs. For some dogs, it can even be a little bit stressful. Here’s Christmas Day from a dog’s perspective.

There’re lots of things wrapped in paper I desperately want to destroy/chew/pull apart. Dogs see presents and instinctively want to get their paws on them. Remember to keep them well out of reach until Christmas day!

Why are my humans eating so much food and not giving it to me? We consume a lot of food on Christmas day, and our poor doggies have to sit there watching us. Don’t give your dog Christmas food as it can be dangerous, give them some dog treats instead.

I usually get lots of attention but today my owner seems distracted. Dogs don’t get much attention on Christmas day because their owners are busy preparing Christmas dinner, eating and opening presents. Make sure your dog still gets a decent walk on Christmas day.

I am getting a bit bored because the focus is not on me. Dogs can easily get bored on Christmas day because they are often ignored in favour of opening presents and enjoying the festivities. Remember to give your dog something to do on Christmas day to keep them occupied.

What is that amazing smell coming from the food room? It smells like heaven. Just like us, dogs can smell the mouth watering aromas coming from the kitchen. They know that lots of food will soon appear. Make sure they don’t steal any food on the sly.

Why am I getting so many treats and new toys? Have I been really well behaved today? Lots of owners don’t want to leave their dogs out when it comes to Christmas presents. Many dogs get spoiled on Christmas Day too, but they have no idea why.

All these flashing lights are making me feel dizzy. Festive lighting can be a bit much for some dogs, who get overwhelmed by flashing lights.

My owner is acting strange, what is that liquid they have been drinking all day? Dogs also don’t understand what being drunk is, and a lot of people get a bit tipsy on Christmas day. This can confuse dogs who wonder why their owner is acting so strangely.

I have never seen so many delicious crumbs on the floor. Some dogs can act like vacuum cleaners, eating up all the crumbs that drop on the floor, and there’s likely to be lots on Christmas day.

I can smell treats on that tree, why can’t I have them now? Many owners will actually wrap up presents specifically for their dog and put them on or under the tree. Your dog might be able to smell them and wonder why they can’t have them, or try and find a way to get to them.

Why are there more people on my territory than normal? We often have lots of family members round on Christmas day. For some dogs, this is fine, but for others it can be a bit too hectic and overbearing.

What is that sticky stuff holding those paper things together, it’s terrifying, I want to stay away from it. Everyone knows for some reason, dogs absolutely hate sellotape. The sellotape on presents may freak them out a little on Christmas day. You might find your dog hiding in a corner whilst presents are being opened.

Why cats and dogs are excited for Christmas

We can come up with a million reasons we think this is the best time of year. To name a few: Christmas carols, gorgeous (and tacky) light displays, Santa, elves, Rudolph, classic holiday movies, presents and really cheesy TV specials. But what about cats and dogs? Do they even care or know it’s Christmas? We’d like to think they do. Sure, they probably don’t understand why we always have “All I Want for Christmas Is You” on repeat and don’t really get why we have to go shopping so much. But surely there are some things about the festive season that they look forward to every year. Here are five reasons we think pets are just as excited for Christmas as you are.

It might snow

The festive season coincides with the beginning of winter, so there’s a fairly good chance it will snow in many parts of the country. Cats are often blasé about all forms of precipitation, but there are certain dog breeds that have been waiting all year for the first few flakes to hit the ground.

There are boxes everywhere

Forget luxurious or trendy gifts, what cats (and perhaps some dogs) can’t wait to see under the tree are all the cardboard boxes. And with the growing popularity of online shopping, the holiday season has never been better for cardboard-loving animals. So bring on the shipments from Amazon and Zappos – their boxes are the gifts that keep on giving.

They get a lot of attention

Christmastime means there are more people around to lavish pets with love and affection. Of course, this could also be a reason your cat or dog hates the festive season. Some pets aren’t fans of strangers or guests. And that’s understandable. But for the pets who live for attention, this time of year is a treat.

Presents

Who doesn’t love presents? Cats and dogs appreciate a new ball, bowl or collar. They’ll gladly accept a trendy new product that they never knew they needed. And if you have the funds to splurge on an expensive bed, they simply can’t say no. But if you’re in a bind, well, there’s always the cardboard box.

Quality time with the family

Among the best – and most important – things about Christmas is spending time with loved ones. So as you celebrate the season, don’t forget to sneak in some QT with your furry family member. Because, really, that’s what Christmas is all about.

(Article source: Various)