Celebrating the Season with Our Fur Family

As the holiday season approaches, our homes fill with festive cheer, decorations, and cherished moments with loved ones. For many of us, our pets are an essential part of these celebrations. Whether it’s snapping family photos by the tree or enjoying cozy evenings together, our furry friends bring warmth and joy to the season. But just like humans, pets age and require special care, especially during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

When Is a Pet Considered a Senior?

It’s natural to wonder when your beloved companion transitions into their golden years. Generally, smaller dog breeds and cats are considered seniors around 7-10 years old, while larger breeds might reach this stage as early as 5-6 years. You may notice subtle signs like slower movements, gray hairs around the muzzle, or changes in sleeping patterns. These are gentle reminders to adjust their care routines to meet their evolving needs.

Tips for Keeping Senior Pets Happy and Comfortable This Holiday Season

The holidays can be overwhelming for senior pets, but with a little planning, you can ensure they feel loved and secure:

1. Create a Safe Space:

   With guests coming and going, it’s essential to provide your senior pet with a quiet retreat where they can relax away from the holiday commotion.

2. Stick to Their Routine:

   Pets thrive on consistency. Keep their feeding, walking, and sleeping schedules as regular as possible to reduce stress.

3. Provide Cozy Comfort:

   Ensure they have a warm, comfy bed away from drafts and loud noises. A plush blanket or heated pad can make their resting spot extra inviting.

4. Mind the Decorations:

   Holiday decor is lovely, but some items can pose risks. Keep tinsel, ornaments, and candles out of reach to avoid accidents.

5. Include Them in Family Activities:

   Senior pets may not be as spry as they once were, but they still love being part of the action. Involve them in family photos, give them a special spot near the tree, or let them enjoy a small taste of holiday treats (just ensure it’s safe for pets!).

Celebrating Your Pet’s Role in the Family

The holidays are also a time to reflect on the bond we share with our pets. A wonderful way to honor that connection is through thoughtful gifts that celebrate their place in our lives. At Pet Perennials, we offer a range of personalized pet-themed gifts, including our popular Forever in My Heart Frame.

This frame, along with our selection of other frames, is perfect for:

• New Pets: Celebrate a furry new addition to the family.
• Senior Pets: Treasure the memories you’re making in their golden years.
• Pets Who’ve Crossed the Rainbow Bridge: Honor their memory with a heartfelt keepsake.

When ordering one of our pet themed picture frames, you can upload a cherished photo to be inserted into the frame before it ships. For an extra personal touch, as with our Forever in My Heart frame, we can add the pet’s name on the heart that adorns the frame. Our Gift Service business clients know that each of their gift selections includes a handwritten message on the card of your choice, beautiful gift wrapping, and direct delivery to your recipient. Not a business? You can select giftwrapping when ordering and we’ll handle personalizing your message too!

Thoughtful Gifting for Pet Lovers

Whether you’re gifting to a friend who just adopted a playful puppy, a family member with a senior pet, or someone grieving the loss of their beloved companion, a personalized picture frame is a heartfelt way to show you care. It’s more than a gift – it’s a way to honor the bond between pets and their people.

Let’s Make This Holiday Special for Pets and Their Families

This season let’s celebrate the love, loyalty, and joy our pets bring into our lives. By keeping our senior pets safe and including them in our festivities, we can create cherished memories that last a lifetime. And when it comes to meaningful gifts for the pet lovers in your life, Pet Perennials has you covered. From our family to yours, we wish you a warm and wonderful holiday season filled with wagging tails, gentle purrs, and lots of love.

For more information about our products and services, visit our website and discover how you can create a lasting tribute to your beloved pet.

Lori is co-founder of Pet Perennials and a lifelong animal lover. She currently resides in a small lake community with her feline companion, Pumpkin. Lori's love for animals has been a lifelong mission. Recently she lost her beloved cat, Snookie. His loss was a heartfelt reminder of the reason she and her business partner created Pet Perennials, and reinforced a commitment to their mission: to help heal hearts by honoring a pet's memory. Pets are indeed family.

Pet Perennials offers a Gift Perks Service with all-inclusive pricing for Pet-centric businesses to send thoughtful sympathy gifts to clients, family, and employees conveniently and affordably.