By Susan Spisak
It’s already December…where did the year go? During this last month of 2025, there are several special holidays and notable pet associated days. There are also holiday safety tips to keep in mind and general canine preparations for 2026. Lets’ dive in…
Starting the month out is National Mutt Day, aka National Mixed Breed Dog Day, on December 2nd. The focus is on these dogs’ uniqueness, charm, and personalities. Going hand in hand with this is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day on December 4th. (It’s commemorated on the first Thursday after Thanksgiving, so the actual date changes from year to year.) Both days promote shelter dog adoptions and encourage people to support animal shelters by volunteering, fostering, and donating to them.
While both days promote adoptions, if you’re looking to adopt a new pet, think about your home situation first. If it is busy with younger children excited about elves and the Big Guy’s impending arrival, consider waiting until after the New Year as the environment may be overwhelming for a new dog. If your home is calm, December can be a wonderful time to welcome a new companion, bringing you joy and comfort to him. And please don’t gift a dog, they’re a long-term commitment and the giftee may not be on board with that notion, nor appreciate the gesture.
Next up is International Day of Veterinary Medicine on December 9th. It recognizes the contributions of veterinary professionals to animal health and welfare, as well as their role in protecting public health by preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases. It aims to raise awareness about the profession, promote veterinary education, and express appreciation for veterinarians and veterinary staff. Drop a nice note of thanks to your vet and staffers there or add them to your holiday card list.
To aid those in your community, participate in December 11th’s Holiday Food Drive for the Needy Animals Day. It's a day to donate pet food, treats, and other supplies to help animals in shelters, rescues, and those living on the streets. Most nonprofits cannot operate without support, so please consider donating to them on this day and beyond. View the list of food pantries near you in the Downeast Dog News November issue, page 14. (https://issuu.com/rfbadvertising/docs/downeastdog_november_2025)
Dogs, and cats, too, are notorious for getting into unwanted things, especially during the holidays, as the new and glittery spark interest. Decorations, wrapped presents with bows, trees with lights and ornaments, and tinsel are safety hazards. Keep a careful eye on your pet.
Holiday foods are problematic for our bud if he eats them. Yummy things such as homemade yeast rolls, greasy meats, rich gravies, and sweet chocolate desserts adversely affect him. Judith K. Herman DVM covered this topic in the Downeast Dog News November issue, page 4. (link above). It’s worth reading again. To satisfy his need for a splurge, treat him to fresh green beans, lean cooked turkey, and new-to-him dog cookies.
I turned to Dr. Herman for advice regarding pet stress during home gatherings. If your dog is friendly, has good manners, and familiar family are coming, spend time refreshing him on his obedience skills prior to the party. Be sure he has a quiet space with his toys, water, and bed where he can retire to as needed.
If he jumps up or can be frantic, keep him on a leash and have him lie down or sit, and ask the guests to ignore him as they arrive. An alternative is to have him outside in fenced yard, if possible, while guests arrive. Once everyone’s settled, call him in and offer him a toy or stuffed frozen Kong; this will channel his energy elsewhere.
A consideration is his confidence with younger kids, said Dr. Herman: “If Fido hasn’t been around children or children have not been taught how to behave around the dog, it may be best to have the dog in a quiet room just for him, or have him tied to you on a leash so you always know where the dog is in relation to the children.” She added if he is crazy and lacking manners, you may want to board him for the day or overnight to alleviate stress for him (and you, too).
Dr. Herman added it is best to start obedience and socialization when you adopt him, preferably as a young pup. “You need to teach manners as a puppy and take him to new places to walk around, so he is calm with some chaos around. I don’t mean to take him to Walmart on a Saturday and let him be handled by scores of people but walk around Lowes just to see new things and people. If you do this when dogs are young, then parties and cookouts will be old hat.”
If he has separation anxiety that will affect your shopping and holiday prep, she believes this isn’t a new issue. “If the dog has separation anxiety, it didn’t just start. It has been there and maybe getting worse. If the issue is mild, like he barks when you leave but then settles down, you can practice ‘no big deal’ coming and going.” She explained how to accomplish it: If your dog feels safe in a bedroom or kitchen, set up his bed there with water, chew toys or Kongs, and play soothing music for him while you’re out.
Also look for dog appeasing pheromones for him, DAPs, (plug in wall or a collar diffuser) to help calm him down. (Read the ingredients to ensure ingredients, such as essential oils, won’t harm him.) Or try whole food calming supplements (such as melatonin) that you can get online or from your vet. You give it to him before you leave by an hour or two. If his anxiety is high, chat with your vet on prescriptions that can reduce it and be sure to schedule an appointment with a professional familiar with separation anxiety.
If you’re traveling for the holidays with your dog in tow, plan ahead. Confirm that he’s up-to-date on vaccines and keep his medical records in a smart phone app. Be sure he’s wearing his collar with a tag imprinted with your cell number. Ask your vet about microchipping him—it’s a tiny, injectable, permanent ID. (Register your contact info in a microchip recovery database like FreePetChipRegistry™. If he gets lost and lands at a shelter or vet’s office, they’ll scan him and contact you immediately.) Pack his kibble or canned food, bed, grooming supplies, medicines, treats, an extra leash, and toys.
December is a great time to renew your dog’s license if you haven’t done yet. Do it online through the State of Maine's dog licensing portal, which is available between October 15th and January 31st. You can also renew it in person at your town's office. For all requirements and info, maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/doglicense/index.shtml.
Schedule his 2026 exam and/or vaccinations. An annual wellness exam is an excellent way for your vet to monitor any changes in his overall condition. If there are any changes, they can be addressed quickly. If you prefer and are budget-minded, there are low-cost vet clinics in many communities. Utilize your favorite search engine to find those near you.
