Writing by Sarah J. Cutler, VMD
Artwork by Justin Negard
It’s fun to shop for your pets, but sometimes the best gifts can be what you do for your pet. Making your own gifts or giving your pet the gift of your time are great ways to celebrate the holidays with them.
Create gifts that help them explore
Treasure hunts
Use small bits of treats or toys and hide them around the house or in cardboard boxes or bins.
Sniff and snuffle
Snuffle mats are small cloth mats with flaps and open containers where you can hide treats for your pet to find. Sniffing and snuffling are natural behaviors that increase the happy hormones in a pet’s brain. If you can sew, you can make these for your cat or dog. (Make sure an adult checks that the homemade snuffle mat is safe to offer your pet!)
If you can’t sew, you can make your own snuffle game with a towel. Wrap a few treats in it and let your pet cat or dog unravel the towel to get the treats.
Especially for cats
Place empty cardboard boxes, tote bags, paper bags, baskets or carpet pieces on the floor and see if your curious cat wants to explore. It will make you happy to watch your feline enjoy sitting on a new piece of fabric or paper.
Especially for dogs
Kongs and lick mats are food dispensaries that can be stuffed with your pet’s own food or special treats, such as peanut butter or cream cheese. You can make these in advance and keep them in the refrigerator or freezer. If you don’t have either, you can use a plastic ice cube tray or a flat serving tray to portion out and freeze treats. Then, when your dog needs something to keep them busy and relaxed, you can pull out your ready-made treat!
Also for dogs and maybe some cats
A favorite game is Go Find It, also known as Go Get It. This one is simple. Put treats in a small cup near you, then take one and roll it away from you. In a quiet voice, tell your dog, “Go find it.”
Do this in carpeted areas or on the grass so your dog doesn’t slip or slide. After your dog retrieves the treat, they will likely come back to you. Roll another treat away from you and repeat. This game can be high energy or low energy. Try to do higher energy games outdoors and practice being calm and relaxed indoors. Some cats will play this game too!
Give them your respect
The gift of choice
Treat your pets with kindness and patience. Make sure your pets are always choosing to be pet and participate in the activity.
When taking your dog on a walk and it’s safe, allow your dog or cat to make choices, which will help them build confidence. And let your dog set the pace and direction of their walk.
The gift of calm & quiet
Many dogs and cats are very sensitive to loud TVs, video games, boisterous laughter, argumentative voices, alarms, driveway sensors, appliances beeping and cell phones pinging.
Turn down loud alarms and calm (don’t scold) your pet if they react to a loud noise. Play music or the TV at a softer volume in your house and see if your pets are more relaxed. Also, speak quietly to your pet at all times to help them remain calm.
Make sure your shy cat has plenty of space and time to rest away from chaotic family events. Provide vertical perching options and access to closets or quiet spots in the house.
The gift of gentle leadership
Training dogs to sit, stay and lie down can be fun. Plus, it’s helpful to have a polite pooch. Training sessions can help you form a happy connection between you and your pet, so keep them short and fun. If you notice your dog is licking their lips, yawning, looking worried, or not able to make eye contact during your training sessions, it means they are uneasy. Make sure to keep your voice upbeat and friendly whenever you give a cue. Also, if your pet has “four on the floor,” then you don’t need to teach “sit.” This is especially important if you have an older dog who may have joint pain.
The gift of outdoor enrichment
A meandering sniff session on a long leash can release the mood-boosting chemical in a dog’s brain called dopamine. (Younger children should always have an adult join them when walking their dog.)
A hike in the woods gives your dog’s brain a highly rewarding sensory experience.
More aerobic play sessions with games, agility or playing with other dogs are also enriching and fun for humans. But do avoid activities where your dog is being forced to do something as opposed to making choices of their own.
The gift of your time
The holidays are busy, and we sometimes forget to carve out some relaxation time for us and for our pets. Look at your schedule and make sure to include some time for “keeping your pet company.”
This article was published in the November/December 2024 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To read other articles in this special 18 and under guide to surviving the holidays, click here.
Dr. Sarah J. Cutler
Sarah J. Cutler is a veterinarian with a special interest in behavioral medicine. Upon graduation, she took an oath to “first do no harm,” which is a guiding principle in her practice. Sarah combines her scientific background with her respect for cats and dogs to help humans live in health and harmony with their pets. “I’m passionate about following safe practices for our pets and understanding where to find trusted professional resources,” she says.
Justin is an award-winning designer and photographer. He was the owner and creative director at Future Boy Design, producing work for clients such as National Parks Service, Vintage Cinemas, The Tarrytown Music Hall, and others. His work has appeared in Bloomberg TV, South by Southwest (SXSW), Edible Magazine, Westchester Magazine, Refinery 29, the Art Directors Club, AIGA and more.
Justin is a two-time winner of the International Design Awards, American Photography and Latin America Fotografia. Vice News has called Justin Negard as “one of the best artists working today.”
He is the author of two books, On Design, which discusses principles and the business of design, and Bogotà which is a photographic journey through the Colombian capital.
Additionally, Justin has served as Creative Director at CityMouse Inc., an NYC-based design firm which provides accessible design for people with disabilities, and has been awarded by the City of New York, MIT Media Lab and South By Southwest.
He lives in Katonah with his wonderfully patient wife, son and daughter.
