Holiday Season with Your Pets

The holidays have a way of arriving in a blur — twinkle lights, cozy evenings, and that long-awaited cool-down. Scout’s a little perkier this time of year, and we love finding small ways to make the season calm, cozy, and pet-friendly for everyone.

 Cozy Pet Traditions

One of the best parts of the holidays is sharing simple traditions together. Scout loves being included wherever she can — from walks after big meals to unwrapping a toy on Christmas morning. Once the guests are gone, we always make time to unwind. A quiet night in with Scout curled up on the couch watching Elf for the 100th time is easily one of my favorite parts of the season.

Fall in New Orleans looks good on Scout.

Images © 2025 Scout & Company Companion Pet Care. Please do not reuse without permission.

If you like to make special treats for your pets, you can put a holiday spin on it by using some seasonal ingredients. Scout’s favorites usually involve pumpkin and plain Greek yogurt — simple, seasonal ingredients that smell like fall. Of course, every pet is different, so it’s always best to double-check ingredients and tailor any recipes to your pet’s own needs and preferences.

Gift Ideas for Pets

Feeling festive? There’s no shortage of thoughtful ways to spoil the pets who make life better. You can also browse our Scout’s Favorite Things Journal entries for a few of Scout’s personal favorites.

For Pets:
• Enrichment toys like snuffle mats, treat dispensing puzzles, and puzzle feeders to keep them busy
• Cozy beds, sweaters, or soft blankets for chilly mornings
• Travel accessories like seat belt clips or portable bowls
• Treats
• For cats: scratching posts, catnip toys, feather wands, window hammocks, cat trees, self-grooming toys, or collapsible tunnels. One of my favorite cat toys is the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Cat Activity Play Mat (click here). I’ve seen many cats become obsessed with this. If your cat loves to scratch, dig, or burrow under things, this one’s a hit.
• Gift cards to your favorite local pet business — like Scout & Company!

Holiday Photo Fun

If you’re planning a few festive pet photos this season, keep it simple and stress-free.

• Use natural light whenever possible — it brings out the true color and texture of your pet’s coat and keeps their eyes from looking harsh or reflective.
• Keep photo sessions short and reward your pet often.
• Remember: patience (and plenty of treats) goes a long way.

Scout usually loses interest after a few photos, so I try to capture her in her natural moments — the candid ones always end up being my favorites.

Comfort & Routine During the Holidays

With all the visitors, travel, and excitement, pets can easily get overstimulated. Try to keep their normal feeding and walk schedule as consistent as possible. Setting up a quiet retreat — a bed or blanket in a calm room — gives them a place to recharge when things get busy.

A few other small things can help too: playing soft music or a movie, giving them a shirt or blanket that smells like their person, and reminding guests not to sneak table scraps or open doors too quickly. Scout likes to take her “quiet time” on her dog bed in the bedroom during gatherings — even social pets need a little downtime.

Holiday Safety Essentials

It’s easy for pets to get curious during the holidays — there’s new food, decorations, and all kinds of tempting things within reach. A few small precautions can go a long way toward keeping them safe and stress-free.

Toxic and Unsafe Foods: chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, turkey bones, gravy, fatty meats, alcohol, and xylitol (found in sugar-free gum and baked goods).
Unsafe Plants: poinsettia, holly, mistletoe, lilies.
Decor Hazards: tinsel, ribbons, string, candles, cords, and small ornaments.

If your pet eats something they shouldn’t, call your veterinarian right away for guidance.

Cold Weather & Travel Tips

Cold weather looks different everywhere — even in New Orleans. On chilly mornings, shorter walks and dog jackets go a long way, depending on your dog’s breed and cold tolerance. Colder temps combined with Louisiana’s damp air can feel especially biting.

For those traveling, pack a few familiar items: your pet’s regular food, any medications or supplements they take, a favorite toy, a blanket that smells like home, and your vet’s contact information. Particularly for older dogs or pets with health or mobility issues, it’s important to make sure they have a comfortable place to rest along the way. Scout can’t travel without one of her dog beds. Small details like these make a big difference in keeping pets comfortable and calm during the holidays.

If you’re headed somewhere snowy or icy, be sure to clean your dog’s paws after walks to remove salt or chemicals used on roads and sidewalks.

A Warm Holiday Wish from Scout & Company

From all of us at Scout & Company, we’re wishing you and your pets a calm, cozy holiday season and lots of time for walks, naps, and good company.