dog wearing red antlers sitting in front of christmas tree with caption below that reads 'how to prep for santa paws'You better not howl, you better not cry, you better now growl, I’m telling you why…Santa Paws is comin’ to town! ‘Tis the season for sweet treats, cozy snuggles, and lights all aglow. Make sure you and your pup are ready for a visit from Santa Paws this year with these cheerful holiday tips and tricks.

Cookies (and don’t skip out on the reindeer treats!)

Santa Paws always expects a plate of fresh cookies. Check out this recipe from BarkPost for easy DIY Dog Cookies. Take some festive cookie cutters and, Voila!, perfect dog-friendly holiday cookies. A small portion of milk is totally optional. Dog’s can be lactose intolerant, but in the case they aren’t, a few tablespoons of milk can be a nice treat for the holidays. Milk should be given only on rare occasions (like the holidays!). Consult your vet to check your dog for allergies.dog with elf hat on sitting at table with plate of christmas cookies

Festive Dinnerware

Santa Paws is fueled on holiday cheer, the more festive decor, the better! Make the daily dog bowl go from “Ba-Hum-Bug!” to “Ho-Ho-Ho!” with a decorative dog bowl. You’ll be sure to impress the big dog with a bowl that brings a smile to his fluffy face, like this one from Chewy.com.

Stockings

Prove your good-boy-status by hanging up your very own stocking above the fireplace. This stocking from Feliz Modern is Santa Paws approved. Just think of how many treats and toys can fit into that thing. Our tails are wagging just thinking about it!

Cozy Sweaters

Nothing says “Christmas” like a big, ugly, over-the-top sweater. Consider a sweater that lights up or drips with tinsel! Explore local pup shops like SouthPaw Waggery, Mike’s Dog Store, and Fifi & Fido’s Pet Boutique for the perfect ugly-Christmas sweater.

Gifts For Friends & Family

Complete your decorations with a tree surrounded with beautiful wrapping paper and bows galore! Remember, gifts don’t necessarily have to be something you buy from a store. A gift can be your favorite treat you like to bake, a warm hug, or a coupon for a puppy date! Above all, this is a time to show our loved ones how much they mean to us and the best way to show them is always with love.

Looking for more ways to enjoy the holidays with your pup? Check out the posts below.

Holiday Gift Guide For Dogs and Dog-Lovers

11 Fun and Festive Dog-Friendly Holiday Activities in San Antonio

How to Capture the Perfect Holiday Photo with Your Dog

Find Dog-Friendly Holiday Events on Our Events Calendar

Hana Buck

Author: Hana Buck

Hana Buck is a San Antonio native that is obsessed with two things; Lindy Hop and her dog, Logan. After attending the University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in Physics, Hana discovered the world of digital marketing and was presented with the opportunity to work with a local agency. Outside of her day job as a Social Media Coordinator, Hana spends most of her time dancing, cooking, and supporting small businesses. This includes her volunteer work serving on the San Antonio Swing Dance Society board as Vice President for the second year in a row. Hana is currently open to various social media marketing and writing projects.