12 Days of Doggy Xmas

If you’re a dog owner/ dog mom/dog dad in Orangeville, Ontario this blog is for you!! This Christmas, us at Biota Pet Care wanted to share some fun ideas and activities to do with your pups this Christmas to help get you in the holiday spirit!

Read below for some fun activities to do with your pup this holiday season. And dont forget to tag us @biotapetcare on instagram if you do any of these fun things! We'd love to see your pup with Santa, or with the coloured lights in Kaycee Gardens.

1) Pet photos with Santa:

🎅 Holiday Photos With Santa 🐾

Taking your pet for a holiday photo or photo with Santa is a fun way to capture a little holiday magic. Bring treats, a favorite toy, and give them a quick walk beforehand to help them settle. Whether they sit perfectly or try to kiss Santa, the candid moments are always the best.

Local spots for holiday photos:

🎅 Global Pet Foods (47 Broadway Ave #12, Orangeville) Drop in anytime to use their holiday backdrop and snap your own photos!

🎅 10 and 10 Nurseries and Garden Centre (634026 Highway 10, Orangeville)  Pictures with Santa on Sunday Dec 7th: Book online to reserve your spot!

🎅 Pet Smart (150 1st St Unit 9, Orangeville) Pictures with Santa on Dec 13-14th: Go online to book your spot!

🎅 April Vets Orangeville (500 Alder Street, # 23, Orangeville). Clients and non-clients welcome!

2) Walk through Kaycee Gardens:

🎄Christmas in the Park Returns! 🎄

The Optimist Club presents the 33rd Annual Christmas in the Park at Kaycee Gardens, Orangeville, running Dec. 1–31, nightly 5:30–9:30 PM (Dec. 1 opens at 6:30 PM). 

Enjoy a dog-friendly walk through dazzling lights, festive displays and holiday music!  Bring your family—and your pups—for a cozy holiday stroll!

3) Advent Calendar:

🎁 Make Your Own Pet Advent Calendar! 🎁

Counting down to the holidays isn’t just for humans—your pets can join the fun too!  Creating a DIY 12-day pet advent calendar is simple and so much fun. Use small paper bags, mini treat boxes, or even a muffin tin covered with festive paper to make 12 little surprises they can open each day.

Fun stuffer ideas include:🐾 Healthy treats or chews🎾 Toys🦴 Homemade biscuits😺 Local treats from Dogs We Love Bakery!🛁 Grooming goodies like wipes or paw balm

Hang the bags on a string, stack boxes into a cute display, or place each day’s surprise in a special basket. It’s a simple, joyful way to make the holiday countdown extra fun for your furry friend!

4) Xmas Tree Farm:

🎄 Visit a Dog-Friendly Christmas Tree Farm 🎄

Kick off the season with your pup by visiting a dog-friendly tree farm. Stroll through a snowy field together as you hunt for the perfect tree—fresh air, wagging tails, and holiday magic included.

Once you find the one, don’t forget to snap a quick family photo in front of your freshly picked tree. It’s a simple, joyful outing that makes for unforgettable holiday memories!

Staff favourite local spots to try:

🎄Hockley Valley Farm (307509 Hockley Rd, Orangeville)

🎄Elliott Tree Farm (9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Erin)

🎄Lakeview Tree Farm (204422 County Road 109, East Garafraxa)

5) Make Holiday Pet Treats:

🍪Homemade Holiday Pet Treats 🎄

Nothing says festive fun like whipping up homemade holiday treats for your pet! It’s a cozy way to bond, and your furry friend will definitely appreciate the taste-testing. Keep it simple, use pet-safe ingredients, and enjoy the holiday cheer right from your kitchen.

Staff Recipe Recommendation:

●     1 c. grated carrots

●     1 c. grated apple (seeds removed)

●     1 c. oat flour or whole wheat flour

●     1 egg

●     ½ c. unsweetened applesauce (optional for moisture)

Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C).  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Peel and grate apples and carrots.  In a mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots and apples. Add the egg and oat flour to the mixture.  If you are using applesauce, add it now.  Stir until all ingredients are well combined into a dough like consistency. Form into desired shape and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown and firm.

6) Make a Pet Stocking:

🧦 Making a Stocking for Your Pet 🧦

Putting together a holiday stocking for your pet is a simple, joyful way to include them in the festivities. Grab a cute stocking, add their name, and fill it with treats, toys, or little surprises you know they’ll love. It’s a small gesture that brings big tail wags on Christmas morning.

Staff Stocking Stuff Ideas:

🧦 Holiday themed toys

🧦 Favourite treats or try something new!

🧦 Training treats (we like Crumps!)

🧦 Winter gear (booties, coat)

🧦 New collar/leash/harness

7) Donate To a Local Rescue:

💕🐶Donate to a Local Rescue 🐱💕

The holidays are the perfect time to spread kindness—and donating to a local rescue is one of the most meaningful ways to help pets in need. This season, we’re hosting a donation drive for the SPCA, making it easy for you to drop off supplies and support animals waiting for loving homes. Even small contributions make a big impact.

Donation Ideas 🎁:

💕 Cat/Dog toys

💕 Blankets, towels and flat sheets (no fitted)

💕 Cat/Dog treats

💕 Cat/Dog food

💕 Cat litter

💕 Leashes and Martingale collars

💕 Unscented Laundry Detergent

💕 Paper Supplies (paper towel, TP, etc.)

💕 Monetary Donations: Donate Now - the animals need your help! - Ontario SPCA

Together, we can make the season brighter for animals who need it most!

8) Watch a Holiday Movie Together:

🎄Christmas Movie Night With Your Pet 🎄🐾

Nothing beats a cozy Christmas movie night with your pet snuggled up beside you. Grab a warm blanket, some pet-friendly treats, and settle in for a quiet evening filled with holiday comfort.

Staff Favourite Christmas Movies:

🎬 Elf

🎬 Home Alone

🎬 A Christmas Story

9) Make A Homemade Pet Ornament:

🐾 Make a Homemade Pet Ornament ✨

Creating a homemade ornament for your pet is a sweet way to add a personal touch to your holiday décor. You can make a cute paw-print salt dough ornament, fill a clear bauble with a festive photo, craft a mini name tag ornament, or even cut out a felt silhouette of your pet 🐶🐱. It’s a simple, fun project that turns into a keepsake you’ll treasure year after year.

10) Take Pictures at Home:

📸Create a Pet Christmas Card at Home 🎄

Snapping festive photos of your pet at home is a fun way to make a personalized Christmas card. Set the scene with a holiday backdrop, or a cute bandana, then try one of these playful ideas: wrap your pet in battery-powered lights, let them peek their head through wrapping paper (those Instagram trends on this are SO cute), or add a simple gift bow on their head 🐶🐱.

A little creativity and a cute picture can turn into a holiday card full of charm and cheer. More festive fun tomorrow!

11) Take a Winter Hike:

🥾Take a Winter Hike with Your Pet ❄️

A crisp winter hike is a wonderful way to enjoy the season and get some fresh air with your furry friend. Bundle up, bring plenty of water for both of you, and don’t forget a leash and some treats for motivation. Snow, frosty trees, and winter sunlight make for a magical outdoor adventure!

Staff Favorite Hiking Spots:

🥾 Island Lake

🥾 Upper Credit Conservation

🥾 Alton Grange

🥾 Caledon Trailway Path

🥾 Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

A brisk walk in nature, a happy pup, and plenty of winter wonder—what could be better?

12) Holiday Themed Enrichment Activity

Holiday-Themed Enrichment Activities for Your Pet 🎄🐾🧩

Keep your pet entertained and mentally stimulated this holiday season with festive enrichment activities! You can create a treat-filled puzzle toy, hide holiday-themed toys around the house for a scavenger hunt, or make a DIY snuffle mat with festive fabrics. Even simple games like “find the hidden treat under the holiday cups” can keep your furry friend engaged and happy.

A little creativity goes a long way in keeping pets active, happy, and in the holiday spirit. 🐶🐱✨

**I actually know a great Canadian Instagram account who posts the most beautiful slow feeders and Toppl’s! @little_john_brothers which you can check out for some inspo!!

Okay, FINE!! I added 13, because there’s just too many fun things to do this Christmas!!

Here is # 13…

13) Neighbourhood walk to see lights

✨ Take a Neighborhood Holiday Lights Walk 🎄

A leisurely evening stroll through your neighborhood to see holiday lights and decorations is a simple way to soak in the festive spirit with your pet. Keep your furry friend cozy with a sweater or coat, bring some treats, and enjoy the twinkling displays together. It’s a great way to get some fresh air, exercise, and smiles all around!

Twinkling lights, happy pets, and holiday cheer—an easy tradition that makes the season brighter.

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SO! After all that… Will you do all 13 doggy days of Xmas or do only a few catch your eye? We would love to know what you choose to do with your pup this Christmas, email us at info@biotapetcare.ca and let us know which of the 13 doggy days you will be doing this Christmas!! Or tag us @biotapetcare on instagram and show us your Santa pup photos or holiday pup photos!

We can’t wait to hear from you and hopefully see all those cute Santa and Kaycee garden photos with your pup!

Have a lovely holiday season to everyone reading this. May you find joy and beauty in the snow and a beautiful time with family and loved ones (and a very full belly) (L)