How to celebrate your pet’s first Christmas

From baubles and ornaments to festive treats, here's the best ways to celebrate your pet's first Christmas

Pets first christmas yours

by Caitlin Casey |
Published on

So, you've got a new furry friend to have around the Christmas table and enjoy the festive season! While you enjoy chocolate treats and unwrapping presents around the Christmas tree, don't forget your pets can get involved too.

There are loads of ideas out there to celebrate your pet's first Christmas. From baubles and decorations to delicious advent calendars and treats for pets, there's no reason why they can't have a turkey dinner.

We've dived into the best products that you can get your hands on to make festive celebrations easy for your pet for their first Christmas. From dogs to cats and even small animals like hamsters and rabbits, everyone can have a holly jolly Christmas!

How can I celebrate Christmas with my pet?

Every pet is different and not every pooch or kitty loves the same thing. Some pets may be up for Christmas outfits, jumpers or coats and treats any day but you need to make sure that you're getting the right thing for your pet.

Firstly, we'd start with decorations. Think baubles and tree decorations that are pet-themed or personalised so that they can be part of the fun too. You can get really wholesome and sweet decorations from notonthehighstreet and Etsy. Don't hang your baubles too low if you have any kitties running about though!

Before Christmas day hits, grab your pet an advent calendar or stocking to make sure they have fun for the whole season. Dreamies do a fantastic treat stocking for cats, and we love Lily's Kitchen advent calendars, made for both cats and dogs.

Don't forget to treat your pet with a Christmas present too! Pet toys, jumpers and bandanas are a perfect go-to option. Pets at Home will be a great place to find these presents as well as big stores like Joules or M&S.

Then you can also grab festive pet food and treats. We love to indulge at Christmas so pets should be able to get their Christmas snacks in too. Large pet food brands like Lily's Kitchen and Pets at Home do delicious festive-themed pet food.

Check out our full fave selection of pet Christmas products below. Make sure to get your hands on these early, before they all sell out!

SHOP: Dog's first Christmas products

First, we're kicking off with the best Christmas products you can get for your pooches out there. Some might call it the ulti-mutt Christmas...

Just so you know, while we may receive commission for purchases made through our links, we never allow this to influence product selections. Why trust us?

Best pet's first Christmas squeaky toy
Pets at Home Christmas Puppy's First Christmas Squeaky Reindeer Dog Toy MiniPets at Home

Also available in a cute Santa teddy, this squeaky reindeer dog toy is miniature and sure to keep them occupied at Christmas. Just imagine how happy your pup will be opening this up on Christmas day!

Best personalised first Christmas dog bauble
The Letteroom Personalised Couple With Dog Christmas Decorationnotonthehighstreet

Don't forget to include your dog in the Christmas decorations too. This homemade Christmas dog bauble can be personalised with names to represent your perfect family. If you have a cat you can also get this personalised as a family with a cat.

Best dogs first Christmas bandana
Pets at Home My First Christmas Bandana Dog Collar Accessory RedPets at Home

When you're putting on your Christmas jumper for the turkey feast, make sure your doggy is dressed to the nines too. This sweet dog collar accessory is a little bandana with the writing 'My First Christmas' on it so that everyone can know how special the occasion is.

Best puppy's first Christmas stocking
Pets at Home Christmas Puppy's First StockingPets at Home

Spoil your little pup with their own special stocking. This one from Pets at Home includes loads of treats for them to enjoy too, including a teddy, bow, ball and Christmas treats. Santa will be delivering for dogs too, you know!

Best dog's first Christmas cracker
Fortnum & Mason The Dog's Christmas CrackerFortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is pure luxury at Christmas. Now, they even do a special doggy Christmas cracker, wrapped up perfectly. This is pup-friendly with no loud bangs, a dog toy and even a little dog paper hat that they can wear too.

Best dog's first Christmas jumper
Joules The Cracking Festive Dog JumperJoules

Having a Christmas jumper pic this year? Don't forget to dress up your dog! Joules does the cutest dog jumpers, this one showing a Christmas tree with little bobbles on to represent baubles... Super cute.

Best dogs first Christmas blanket

Everyone loves a Christmas day nap, and now your pup can snuggle up into their own Christmas blanket. With graphics of sweet dogs dressed in Christmas outfits and hats, this is irresistable.

Best dogs first Christmas stockings

Want to make your own stocking up for your pup? This OurWarm Christmas stocking is shaped in a paw, with the traditional red and green tartan of Christmas time. Fill with your own treats and toys for a sweet gift.

Best dogs first advent calendar
Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar for DogsLily's Kitchen

Yes, you can get advent calendars for pets too! Lily's Kitchen does a succulent dog treat advent calendar for just a tenner. Filled with Christmas-flavoured treats that help with your dog's diet and lifestyle, what more could your doggy want?

SHOP: Cat's first Christmas products

Next up are the best Christmas gifts, treats and decorations to get your kitties involved in the festive season. Paw-sibly the best Christmas products ever?

Best cats first Christmas Dreamies gift
Dreamies Christmas Gift Variety Stocking Kitten and Adult Cat Treats 5 x 30gPets at Home

Every cat owner knows how well Dreamies go down with the cats. Dreamies always bring out its Christmas special stocking, filled with delicious packets of classic Dreamies treats. They'll be clawing to get to it!

Best cats first Christmas treats
Pets at Home Christmas Freeze Dried Fish and Shrimp Cat Treats 10gPets at Home

These are extra special Christmas treats by Pets at Home for all the kitties out there who like something extra. Freeze-dried cod loin and shrimp treats have no artificial flavours so your cats can enjoy all their Christmas food just like the rest of us.

Best cats first Christmas stocking
Pets at Home Christmas Stocking for CatsPets at Home

Same as the infamous Pets at Home dog stocking, this package is perfectly made for the kitties out there, with super fun toys like a catnip-filled Santa, a bell, a ball and more exciting things.

Best cats first advent calendar
Lily's Kitchen Advent Calendar for CatsLily's Kitchen

The cats can enjoy a treat every day just like us humans, with this Lily's Kitchen advent calendar for cats. Including festive salmon and chicken nibbles, every cat is sure to be happy opening each door in December.

Best beaded Christmas tree decoration
Oliver Bonas Cat Black Beaded Fabric Christmas Tree DecorationOliver Bonas

Oliver Bonas isn't where we would immediately run for cat products, but they have this special Christmas cat decoration that you can pop on your tree. Beaded and decorated, showing a cat in a Christmas scarf, it's really sweet.

Best personalised Christmas cat baubles
DinkiBelle Personalised Christmas Cat Baubles Decorationsnotonthehighstreet

Do you want something special to put on your tree this year? This personalised cat bauble can be decorated with your cat's name and you can even choose an image of what breed your cat is. A perfect gift for any cat lover, or you might want to treat yourself.

Best Christmas dinner cat treats
Rosewood Cupid & Comet Christmas Dinner Cat StockingVioVet

How about a cat stocking that's full of cat treats? A perfect gift for any greedy kitty, this is a full Christmas dinner in one stocking. It has 1 x 40g pack of Salmon bites for starters, 1 x 40g pack of salmon strips for the main course and 1 x 40g pack of cheese sticks for dessert as well as two catnip mice. They'll be spoiled!

Best Christmas cat toy

A piece of string is enough to keep every cat entertained but this Talking Tables mouse toy makes it a Christmas special. A mouse with a Christmas hat sits on the end of this string and your kitty can enjoy chasing after this special on a festive day.

Best cat Christmas bed gift
Cat Hideaway Bed By JoulesJoules

Want to splash out on a kitty gift? This hideaway bed by Joules is lavish and luxurious, made with a reversible, removable inner cushion and even a top-carry handle making it easy to move. Perfect for any cat owner.

Best Christmas cat hamper
Personalised Christmas Cat hampernotonthehighstreet

Can't decide and want to go all out? This personalised cat hamper puts that special kitty at the centre of Christmas. Available to be personalised with your cat's name and in a choice of two colours, they'll love this little box of treats.

SHOP: Small animal first Christmas pet products

Last but not least is our smaller animal friends out there. We're looking at those animals such as hamsters, gerbils, rats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and so on. Let's see what we have in store...

Best small animal advent calendar
Pets at Home Christmas Small Animal Advent Calendar Dandelion Leaf Flavour 70gPets at Home

Of course, there's even a Pets at Home advent calendar for those smaller animals out there. Filled with delicious dandelion leaf treats, they'll be enjoying this throughout December. Not suitable for Degus, Chinchillas, Ferrets or small animals under 3 months old.

Best guinea pig and hamster Christmas decorations
Fortnum & Mason Guinea Pig & Hamster Christmas Decoration SetFortnum & Mason

Decorate your Christmas tree with this cute guinea pig and hamster decoration set, made out of sweet wool felt, they're sure to catch eyes this Christmas.

Best small animal first Christmas stocking
Pets at Home Christmas Small Animal StockingPets at Home

This is a great stocking to decorate your small animal's play area with. Made with wooden toys and Christmas-themed play materials, this will dress up any hutch or cage.

Best Christmas bed gift for hamsters
Sharples Kapok Build a BedManoMano

An extra special Christmas gift, this one is for those hamsters out there. This is a really sweet 'build-a-bed' toy that takes only seconds to sort out and your hamster can play on for hours. A cute addition to any area

Best small animal gnaw toy for Christmas
Pets at Home Christmas Tree Small Animal Gnaw ToyPets at Home

We all know that small animals love to gnaw away with their tiny teeth. Grab this Christmas tree toy which allows them to gnaw to their heart's content on a Christmas-themed accessory.

Best small animal Christmas cake
Best small animal Christmas cakePets at Home

Christmas pudding is at the heart of the Christmas dinner. Now, your small animal can have their own Christmas cake to enjoy, with this Pets at Home cake made out of carob and coconut. Delicious.

Best small animal Christmas cracker
Pets at Home Christmas Small Animal Chewable Cracker ToyPets at Home

Another great chewable treat this Christmas, your small animal can be pulling at their own cracker this year! Pets at Home have created this small animal chewable cracker, for them to play with this Christmas.

Best small animal Christmas maze gift
Rosewood Naturals Hide N Treat MazeAmazon
Price: $23.99

Gift them a fun experience with this Hide N Treat maze from Rosewood Naturals. All you need to do is pop in your animal's preferred treats into the little circles, and let them be at it for hours. This is a great present that you can gift your furry friend.

Best small animal Christmas outfit
CooShou Small Pet Holiday and Christmas Hat Scarf 4PcsAmazon
Price: $12.99

Get your animal their own Christmas outfit this year, with these sweet hats and scarves made comfortable to wear. These will fit any small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and other similar sized pets.

Feeling festive? Read more here:

Pet Advent calendars for furry friends big and small

Traditional Christmas decorations every house needs

27 things to stock up on now to make Christmas dinner a success

The best gingerbread house kits to get in the festive mood

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us