Tis the season for merriment and gift-giving. If you have a furry canine companion in your family, it's time to make plans for them, as well. You might not realize this, but your dog needs love and attention during the holidays too. Here are some simple tips that will help you keep your dogs happy during the holidays.

Include Them in the Gift-Giving

During the holidays, dogs can start acting like one of the kids. That means they're going to be watching those gifts very closely, waiting to see which ones are for them. If none of the gifts are for them, they can be left feeling sad and bewildered. Make sure your dogs know how much you care by including them in the gift-giving. Wrap a few gifts and place them under the tree for your dogs. When it comes time to unwrap the gifts, your dogs will really feel like part of the family when they have their own to open. It's also a good idea to hang a stocking for them, as well. You can fill it with lots of tasty treats, and fun chew toys.

Make Sure They Have a Safe-Space

If you're going to be having house guests in for the holidays, things might get a little too hectic for your dogs, especially if they're not used to a lot of noise. To help your dogs stay calm during the festivities, be sure to arrange a safe-space for them. Setting up a quiet area for your dogs will allow them to retreat when the noise and chaos gets too much for them to handle. Be sure that they have their bedding, a few toys, and access to their food and water. That way, they can stay safe, and happy, while they're hiding away.

Prepare for Possible Melt-Downs

If any of your dogs suffer from anxiety, be prepared for the possible melt-downs. Exposure to too much stimulation can really do a number on anxious dogs. If you know that holiday activities might be too much for your dogs to handle, consider sending them to a kennel for a couple of days, or talking to the veterinarian about prescriptions to help reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

Keep the Hazards to a Minimum

During the holidays, potential hazards tend to increase. Between the gift wrapping and the decorations, there are a wide variety of hazards that can harm your dogs. To help avoid choking hazards, be sure to keep gift wrapping and small decorations out of reach of your dogs. It's also a good idea to keep the holiday chocolates away from your dogs. Too much chocolate can poison your dogs. However, it's important to remember that even a small amount of chocolate can cause your dog to experience vomiting and diarrhea.

Contact a vet's office, such as Kenmore Veterinary Hospital, for more help.