How to Celebrate Christmas With a Pet

A national pet store chain calls them "pet parents," and there must be quite a few in order to spend more than $3 billion dollars on Christmas for their pets. Pets are often considered members of the family, so it's not surprise that they are a special part of the festivities. Celebrate Christmas with your pet with these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Place a picture of your four-legged family member in the annual Christmas card or letter. Use a photo with all family members or allow your fussy feline to take center stage. With a computer, inserting even the camera-shy pet is easy.

2. Dress your pet in Christmas duds if he will allow you. Designers Isaac Mizrahi and Ralph Lauren design doggie couture. Choose a Santa or antler hat for the pet that likes the understated look.

3. Keep your pet safe by pet-proofing your house for the holidays. Keep poisonous holly and mistletoe where animals can't reach it and do away with deadly tinsel altogether. Put light cords in PVC pipes so that Rover can't chew on them. Christmas trees are just one hazard after another. Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers. Swallowed pine needles can puncture pet's intestines. And frisky puppies and kittens have been known to pull down a Christmas tree. You can try avoidance therapy by tossing an empty soda can filled with pennies anytime a pet gets close to the tree. The only sure way to prevent tree danger or damage is never to leave your pet unsupervised with the tree.

4. Bake for your dog. Prepare tasty dog treats with holiday cookie cutters. Keep people food far away, though. Chocolate is poisonous for pets, and turkey bones may cause internal injuries.

5. Visit Santa with your pet. Check with your shopping mall to see if there is a day for pets to sit on Santa's lap.

6. Give the goodies. Pets like to open presents too. Hang a stocking for pooch on the mantel next to yours, and fill it with nice flavored bones and chew toys. Or make this year something special for your pet with a cat's handbag, doggy bling or a Jog-a-Dog treadmill. Pet sofas and beds come in designer prints now. Or spring for beef-flavored bottled water.

7. Prepare your animal for holiday travel by seeing a veterinarian at least two weeks before taking off. Get whatever vaccinations are needed and ask about sedation for a long trip or for an especially nervous animal. If you're flying, you'll also need a health certificate from your vet dated within ten days of takeoff. Bring your pet's medical records with you when you travel.

Tips & Warnings

• Each year, people give pets as a Christmas gift. And each year thousands of unwanted pets fill the animal shelters. Don't give pets as gifts unless you know they're exactly what the recipient wants and can care for.