Last Updated: 19/11/2025
How to Celebrate Christmas with your Dog
Read on for our list of fun and safe activities for you and your dog to celebrate Christmas together.
Author: Dr Michelle Wong BVSc
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Christmas is a heartwarming time of the year where we gather together and appreciate all the wonderful things we have in our lives. Like our amazing dogs. While our human celebrations include reunions with family and endless feasting, or popping champagne with our closest friends, we can enjoy the Christmas holidays a little differently with our canine companions.
This is a time to cherish the furry unconditional love that fills your home with the true spirit of the season. Below is our list of fun and safe activities for you and your dog to celebrate Christmas together.
Cozy Christmas movie night
There is nothing better than settling in for a cosy movie night at home with your family. So grab some popcorn, lay out some blankets and cushions on the floor, and relax with your dog. Laugh along at festive comedies or get swept away by holiday romance drama.
Here are our top 5 paw-some Christmas movies to watch with your pooch:
Santa Buddies
When Santa’s magical Christmas Icicle starts to melt, it’s up to a mischievous young pup named Puppy Paws — the son of Santa Paws — to save the day! Tired of life at the North Pole, Puppy Paws sneaks away to the small town of Fernfield, where he meets the fun-loving Buddies.
Together, these playful pups discover that the true magic of Christmas isn’t about presents or snow — it’s about friendship, kindness, and believing in the spirit of the season. But with time running out, can the Buddies help Puppy Paws restore the Christmas Icicle and save the holiday for everyone?
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure
When Santa’s magical toy-bag goes missing after a Christmas elf’s sleigh takes a wild detour, it’s up to everyone’s favourite St. Bernard, Beethoven, to save the day. Alongside the befuddled elf Henry and a sceptical teenage buddy Mason, Beethoven sniffs out the trail of greedy crooks who’ve pinched the bag — and together they race through snow-covered streets, dodge toy-thieves and harness a little bit of Christmas magic.
With Beethoven’s big heart (and even bigger paws) leading the charge, this holiday tale proves that when you’ve got a dog who believes in Christmas ... anything’s possible.
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Deep inside a snowy mountain above Whoville lives the Grinch — a grouchy green creature with a heart two sizes too small and a serious dislike for Christmas cheer. Down in Whoville, the Whos are planning their biggest, brightest celebration yet, filling every street with lights, carols, and joy.
It’s more than the Grinch can bear! With his loyal dog Max by his side, he plots the ultimate holiday heist: to steal Christmas right out from under the Whos’ noses. But when his plan brings him face to face with the kindhearted Cindy Lou Who, the Grinch begins to learn that Christmas might be more about love and togetherness than all the tinsel and toys in the world.
Nightmare before Christmas
A true Tim Burton classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect watch from spooky season right through to Christmas. When Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers the joy and magic of Christmas Town, he decides to take over the holiday in his own eerie way.
Helping him every step of the way is his loyal ghost dog, Zero — complete with a glowing pumpkin nose that rivals Rudolph’s! With Zero guiding Jack’s sleigh through the night, this hauntingly heartwarming tale reminds us that even the most ghoulish characters can find the true spirit of the holidays (and that every hero needs a good dog by their side).
The Dog who saved Christmas
When a clumsy burglar ruins Christmas for one family, it’s up to an unexpected hero to save the day — their loyal dog, Zeus!
Once a mischievous pup with a knack for getting into trouble, Zeus proves he’s got a true protector’s heart when he’s left home alone on Christmas Eve. With two sneaky crooks trying to break in, Zeus uses his wits (and a few hilarious tricks) to defend his home and bring the holiday spirit back to his family.
The Dog Who Saved Christmas is a tail-wagging festive adventure that proves even the naughtiest dogs can be the best kind of heroes.
Paint your pet
Whip out your paint-brushes and blank canvases to create a fabulous Christmas themed portrait of your dog! This is a great activity for the whole family. See who has the most artistic flair and talent. Paint your pet dressed up in their Christmas gear, or alternatively have a colourful and festive background. Take inspiration from Van Gogh and have a starry night with candy canes shooting across the sky. Or draw on your inner Picasso to paint a unique abstract portrait. The possibilities are endless.
Decorate their spaces
Decorate your dog's living and sleeping areas with some festive cheer! Place stockings outside their kennel or on their crate, arrange Christmas toys around their bed, and invest in a Dog Advent Calendar to count down the days to Christmas.
Keep tinsel and foil up high on the ceilings in your dog's living space. When putting up the Christmas tree, be careful with the usual ornaments and if your dog may be interested in playing, a barrier could prove essential in protecting the tree. Christmas baubles should be out of reach in case. Broken plastic or glass ornaments in their mouths could cause injuries.
Enjoy the Christmas lights
Bring your pooch along with the family to marvel at Christmas light decorations for a fun and relaxing way to unwind in the evening. If there are ones close enough for you to walk to, this is a great opportunity for a post-dinner feast stroll.
Be mindful that some of these places may get crowded and noisy, it may be best to stay on the street and appreciate the lights from a distance. If you do enter, keep your dog close on a leash and make sure to remove them if things get too overwhelming or excitable. Watch out for the decorations and try to avoid any accidents.
Find out where to see Christmas lights near you.
Christmas play date
Organise a doggy Christmas party day with all their friends from the park and daycare! Spread the joy by gifting each furry guest their own special bag of treats.
Keep the fun going with a selection of toys - frisbees and balls for fetching games, rope toys for a hearty tug-of-war, treat dispensers and squeaky toys.
Make your pooch the paw-fect host with a spiffy bowtie, or put a fun T-shirt on to get this party started! Better yet, have a Christmas pyjama party - it doesn't have to be during the day.
Santa paws playdate essentials
Bake a treat
The best way to your dog's heart is through their stomach! Give them Christmas themed baked treats this year to make it extra special, homemade with love from you to your pet.
We have found an easy recipe to get you started, you can also find more ideas in our dog treats guide.
Christmas dog treats
Ingredients
- 150g Plain or Wholemeal Flour
- 85g Doggylicious Peanut Butter
- 1 Medium Banana, chopped
- 4 tablespoons hot water
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Add the xylitol-free peanut butter and hot water to a bowl, and give it a good mix.
- Add the banana to the bowl and blend until smooth using a hand blender.
- Add the flour to the bowl and bring together with your hands to form a dough.
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the dough to about 1cm thick. Use Christmas themed cookie cutters to cut out your preferred shapes.
- Place the biscuits on a lined baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. When they are thoroughly cooked through, remove them from the oven and leave to cool completely.
These dog treats can be stored in a cool place in an airtight container for up to 10 days. Recipe courtesy of Battersea UK.
*These treats are not complete and balanced, and should only be fed occasionally. Check with your vet first to ensure that these treats are suitable for your pet. More information on what to feed your pet can be found on our Discover Page.
The gift of giving
Volunteer for or donate to a local charity in your dog's name such as RSPCA or a smaller non-profit like Story Dogs, where children can read to registered volunteer dogs. Story Dogs helps children with their reading and it comforts them to have a support animal quietly listening beside them. This is also a great activity to do at home with your children if they would like to read a xmas story to their furry friend. Here are our top 5 dog-themed christmas story books for young readers:
- A Charlie Brown Christmas (Peanuts) - It's Christmas time and the festivities are in full swing everywhere! Lights, carols, and sparkly decorated trees. But Charlie Brown just canât seem to get into the Christmas spirit. Can the Peanuts crew help him discover the joy and meaning of Christmas?
- Bluey: 12 Days of Christmas - Join Bluey as she counts down the twelve days of Christmas.
- I am Max! - Max tells his version of the story when the Grinch almost stole Christmas. This book is written in simple rhymed verses and is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Pig the Elf (Pig the Pug) - Pig the Pug is overly excited for his Christmas gifts and decides to stay up all night to wait for Santa. But when Santa arrived with his bag of presents, Pig was disappointed and things quickly got out of hand.
- Biscuit's Christmas Eve - Biscuit is an adorable puppy who has a very busy day preparing for Christmas!
Below are some rescue groups and non-profit organisations by state. For more rescue organisations, you can check out Pet Rescue's Directory.
| State | Rescue Groups and Non-profit Charities |
|---|---|
QLD |
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NSW |
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VIC |
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WA |
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TAS |
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon Oct 27 2025
Edited by Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)Dr Michelle Wong BVSc
Veterinarian
Dr Michelle graduated from the University of Queensland in 2011 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and has worked in small animal practices around South East Queensland. As an owner of three cats, it is not surprising that Dr Michelle holds special interests in feline behaviour and medicine, as well as dermatology and preventative health care. Her favourite part of being a vet is witnessing the special bond between pets and their owners and helping pets live a happy and healthy life.
