Kathleen Crisley is Fear-Free certified dog massage therapist and canine fitness trainer. She has a particular passion for working with dogs and their families to ensure injury prevention and quality of life. She specialises in working with anxious and emotionally damaged dogs. Her mobile practice, The Balanced Dog, is based in Christchurch, New Zealand
Nearly half of Americans (43%) believe that their loved ones are more excited to see their pet this holiday season than they are to see them.
According to a new survey of 2,000 cat and dog owners, that’s a two-way street as 32% admit they’re more excited to see a family member or friend’s pet than they are to see them.
In fact, 20% believe that their pet enjoys the holiday season more than they do.
Almost half (48%) of respondents do something special for their pet during the most wonderful time of the year.
This includes custom ornaments or decorations (64%), dressing them up in holiday clothing or pajamas (60%) as well as giving them their own tree (49%) and stocking (47%).
Half (49%) also like to give them extra treats, and 45% admit they give their pet more treats at Christmas than any other time of the year.
More than two-thirds (68%) are likely to give their four-legged friend their own special holiday meal.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Nulo, the survey found that more than three-quarters (77%) of pet owners believe that their pet is happier with increased visitors during the holiday season.
Begging for attention (51%), welcoming guests (47%) and playing with a new holiday toy (34%) are some of the top ways respondents can tell if their pet is in the holiday spirit.
Forty-two percent give them gifts for the holidays.
Those respondents give an average of three gifts and will spend over $100 total ($106.54).
The most popular gifts include toys (61%), clothing (59%) and treats (56%).
But who’s most likely to spoil their pet?
According to the results, their brother comes out on top (37%), followed by their pets’ grand”paw”rents, or the respondents’ father (36%) and mother (34%).
Healthy treats and special occasion meals are a great way to involve your dog or cat in fun holiday moments – and can add a nutritional boost as a bonus,” said Heather Mendoza, Ph.D., Nulo’s Director of Research & Development.
“It’s wonderful to see that pet owners are already giving their pets special meals that align with their own holiday feasts (30%) or their favorite kind (49%) this season. The holidays offer the opportunity for quality time and memorable experiences with our families, including finding meaningful ways to show extra affection for our incredible pets.”
During the holiday season, pets are spoiled by having their person home with them (60%), going on more walks or adventures (42%) and getting to sleep more (40%).
Pets also partake in traditions such as bringing them along to celebrations at other people’s homes (59%), “opening presents” with the rest of the family (50%) and even going to visit Santa (45%).
Almost one-third (30%) have a bed for their pet in the dining room so they can be near the table during holiday meals, and 73% admit their pet is likely to be underfoot while cooking in the kitchen.
This may be because an overwhelming 78% of pet owners agree that it doesn’t feel like the holiday season if they aren’t able to spend it with their pet.
“Results showed that 40% of respondents believe Christmas is their pet’s favorite holiday – far ahead of the second favorite (New Year’s Day) at 19%,” said Mendoza.
“Between more together time, more treats and more spoiling, it’s no surprise that pets love this most wonderful time of the year. Giving your pet the highest quality treats and meals can make the holiday celebrations extra tasty and nutritious!”
Source: New York Post
Posted in Dogs, dogs and holidays
Tagged cats, celebrations, Christmas, dogs, holidays, New Year, New York Post, Nulo, pets, survey
Izzy has a friend named Trevor whom she has never met. But it is Trevor who gives us many egg cartons over the course of a year.
This year, Izzy sent him this Christmas message, along with a video:
“Dear Trevor,
Thanks for all the egg cartonz.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and eat more eggz.
Love, Izzy”
From our home to yours this Christmas season…
Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
I began my business over 10 years ago because I believed in the need for in-home care for dogs. Gifts at Christmas from clients are always a surprise because I feel like I’m just doing my job. But all are appreciated.
In this post, I share some of the gifts given to me this Christmas – and the thought that has gone into them is obvious:
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![IMG_4616[1]](https://i0.wp.com/doggymom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/img_46161.jpg?w=246&h=328&ssl=1 "IMG_4616[1]")
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Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Earlier this year, I gained my Fear Free certification. For those of you who haven’t yet heard of this, Fear Free is a comprehensive program with certifications for veterinary professionals, trainers, groomers and practices that teaches these carers about the emotional well-being of pets. Enrichment and the reduction of fear, anxiety and stress are all aspects of Fear Free.
So instead of posting the ‘traditional’ pre-Christmas warnings about tinsel, pancreatitis risks, chocolate etc. that go along with the season – I’d like you to consider making your dog’s Christmas Fear Free.
Let’s consider the Christmas holidays from your dog’s point of view:
If you think your dog will be feeling anything like these examples this Christmas, now is the time to make adjustments and plans to help them through the fear and stress of the holiday season. Because the holidays should be Fear Free for everyone.
Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Christmas has been and gone and life is getting back to normal again.
Some Christmas presents endure more than others. If you are like me, your friends, family and customers are keenly aware of the love you have for your dog. In my case, Izzy is a Greyhound and so Greyhound-themed gifts are always appreciated.
This year, I received a duvet cover with greyhounds. As you can see, Izzy approves of the new addition to the bedroom. It’s almost perfect camouflage for her!
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in Dogs, dogs and holidays, products for dog lovers
Tagged Christmas, duvet cover, Greyhound
Christmas dog, photo courtesy of the University of Liverpool
Pet owners are being urged to be vigilant this Christmas, as University of Liverpool researchers warn of a “significant peak” in the risk of chocolate poisoning in dogs over the festive period.
Most people know that chocolate can be poisonous to dogs but may not know why. The toxic ingredient is a caffeine-like stimulant called theobromine that can lead to an upset stomach, a racing heartbeat, dehydration, seizures and in the most severe cases death.
In a new study published in the Vet Record, researchers from the University’s Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) have used electronic health records from UK veterinary practices to analyse cases of chocolate ingestion in dogs.
The findings reveal significant seasonal peaks of chocolate ingestion cases across the year, most notably at Christmas and to a lesser extent at Easter – as chocolate becomes more accessible within the home.
In most cases the amount of chocolate consumed was quite small, with common festive culprits including selection boxes, chocolate cake, liqueurs, chocolate Santas and advent calendars.
Veterinary researcher Dr P-J Noble who led the study commented: “Dogs love a chocolate treat and at Christmas there are plenty about. Sadly dogs can’t eat chocolate safely so many of them end up making an unplanned visit to the vet, which can disrupt the celebrations.
“People should keep festive chocolates away from pets. If chocolate is consumed, owners should talk to their vet as soon as possible, and ideally be prepared to quantify the amount and type of chocolate consumed. Information on the chocolate packaging may help the vet take the best action. While many cases of chocolate-eating are not at toxic levels, where they are, it is better to see the vet quickly.”
The research, which analysed 386 cases of chocolate ingestion in dogs from 229 UK veterinary practices between 2013 and 2017, also revealed some differences in the seasonal pattern of UK cases compared to other countries. Peaks in similar cases around Valentine’s Day and Halloween that have previously been reported in the USA and Germany were not found in the UK, which the researchers suggest could be due to different festival priorities.
The study also found that chocolate ingestion was significantly less common in older dogs and that no specific breed is more at risk than others.
Dr Noble added: “Big data is allowing us to perform wide scale studies of issues like chocolate exposure. This will help us to understand the influence of age, breed, season and geography on a wide range of different problems.”
The study ‘Heightened risk of canine chocolate exposure at Christmas and Easter’ is published in the Vet Record [DOI:10.1136/vr.104762]
Posted in dog care, Dogs, dogs and holidays, research
Tagged chocolate, Christmas, holidays, theobromine, University of Liverpool
The RSPCA has issued a new advert for 2017 to illustrate the message that puppies are not Christmas presents – they are a lifetime commitment that a family should knowingly make.
Follow the story of Woody, the pup given as a Christmas gift who ends up neglected, abandoned and in the care of the RSPCA.
Kindness goes a long way and animal welfare agencies work 24/7 – throughout the holiday season – taking care of unwanted animals.
If you are considering adding a pet to your home, do your homework and be prepared for the unconditional love that an animal brings to your home – but with responsibilities.
Adopt, don’t shop.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
It’s that time of year again – Christmas (followed closely by New Year). And if the traffic is anything to go by (and I am a mobile practitioner, so I’m on the road fairly often), holiday preparations are in full swing. The schools have let out for summer, and the shopping intensity is increasing. So, too, are the rates of pre-Christmas stress.
Holiday plans, parties, travel, new guests coming to stay, and presents and food to buy and prepare should be happy things, but a lot of people get stressed by them, too.
Have you ever thought about the impact of Christmas on your dog?
Our dogs also suffer stress. With the changes in routine and surroundings that Christmas brings, we shouldn’t be surprised if our dogs get stressed.
Some will become destructive, such as unwrapping presents under the tree or chewing on ornaments/lights. (These are also a health hazard, of course.) Others may show their stress through lip-licking and yawning, backing away, going off their food, pacing, tucking their tail under, etc.
It’s important to know the signs of a stressed dog and to do something to lower your dog’s anxiety.
Ensure your dog has a safe space at home – like a crate or a bedroom – where they can retreat when they have had enough.
Play calming music, spray the room with calming mixtures of essential oils, Bach flower remedies, or Adaptil.
And do your very best to keep your dog on a regular routine. Meal times and walks are things that your dog has come to count on at certain times of the day. Don’t mess about with these ‘certains’ in their life – it helps to keep stress in check.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog care, Dogs, dogs and holidays
Tagged Adaptil, anxiety, Bach flower remedies, Christmas, essential oils, stress
It’s a holiday weekend in New Zealand – for Labour Day. And every year this holiday also marks the start of the pre-Christmas season. 
As many of you understand, Christmas falls in the summer school holiday period in New Zealand. Many companies shut down during this time and require their workers to take some of their annual leave, since trading can be minimal or non-existent. If workers don’t have enough paid days, then it can mean time off without pay.
And every year, for a range of reasons including more money being spent on holidays, entertaining and gifts, I see owners who can’t fund the full costs of their dog’s care.
This blog post is a reminder about the items you need to set money aside for in your end of year budget. And the time to budget is NOW.
Just as in people, medications and supplements are only effective if their dosage is kept up. And dogs on things like pain medication will suffer with break-through pain as medications wear off. In other cases – let’s say heart medication – stopping this medication could be life-threatening.
Because of their stoic nature, dogs often hide their pain and/or owners miss the signals – such as withdrawing from activity – which are indicators of a dog in pain. For this reason, some owners think they can get away with a ‘short break’ from medication.
With supplements, once the loading doses are given and the effective dose is reached, there is a level of stability with the coverage given by the supplement. Stop giving it and you are faced with starting a loading dose all over again. Many owners miss this step and go back to regular dosages, further compromising the value to the dog of giving the supplement in the first place!
When we take on a dog into our family, we’re responsible for lifetime care as with any other family member. When there is only so much money to go around, sometimes the silent member of the family – the dog – is the one to miss out.
Please remember health care is a basic right for all animals and plan your holiday budget accordingly. If that means less money for Christmas festivities – so be it.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog care, dog ownership, Dogs
Tagged budgeting, Christmas, christmas holiday season, healthcare, supplements
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