What can I put in my dog’s Christmas stocking? Instead of buying Christmas gifts for your dog, try making them at home. Choose homemade holiday presents that are beneficial for your pet’s health.
Here are 5 wonderful gift ideas dog owners can create for their furry friends.
1. Christmas Dog Bone Biscuits
Christmas-themed dog snacks are in during the holiday season. Bake some to make them into Christmas stocking stuffers for your canine companion.
What you need:
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
- 1/2 cup spinach powder for green coloring
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 cups almond flour
- 2 eggs
How to make this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the cinnamon, mint, and almond flour thoroughly.
- Add in the beef broth, coconut oil, water, and eggs. Work the mixture with your hands until a nonsticky dough ball is formed.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness.
- Use bone-shaped cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough.
- Grease a cookie sheet using nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the dog treats on the greased cookie sheet and bake them for 20–30 minutes.
- Flip the dog bone biscuits halfway through the baking time.
- Turn off the oven, but leave the treats inside for 1–2 hours to give them an extra crunch.
- Take them out of the oven and let them completely cool down.
- Serve the Christmas dog bone biscuits to your pooch. Keep them in an airtight container to make them last for up to 2 weeks.
Notes for this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Spinach tends to be high in purines, which can exacerbate certain canine ailments such as kidney stones, arthritis, and gout. If any of these health issues exist in your dog, use a caffeine-free matcha powder.
2. Minty Dog Toothpaste
This homemade dog-safe toothpaste is perfect for pooches that could help keep their breath fresh.
What you need:
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup of unrefined, virgin coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons baking soda
How to make this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- If your coconut oil has turned solid, heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds to melt. Allow it to cool.
- Pulse the fresh parsley and mint leaves in a food processor.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix all the ingredients using a spoon.
- Let the mixture sit for an hour or more to form.
- Store it in an airtight container in between uses. Place in the fridge to make it last for around 2 weeks.
Notes for this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Use a pea-sized amount of homemade toothpaste when brushing your dog’s teeth. Do not go overboard, as the mint flavor might become too overpowering for him.
3. Moisturizing Nose and Paw Balm
The winter chill can strip off the moisture of your dog’s nose and paws, leaving them cracked and dry. Use this all-natural moisturizing balm to maintain their suppleness.
What you need:
- ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup shea butter
- 4 teaspoons beeswax
- 1 large heat-safe mason jar
- 6 1-ounce reusable tins
How to make this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Place all ingredients in the mason jar.
- Put the mason jar on top of a pot or pan and turn the stove to 150–160 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stir continuously until everything has properly melted and blended.
- Let the mixture cool down fully before pouring it into the tins.
- Place the containers in the fridge to let them set and solidify.
- Apply the balm liberally on your dog’s nose and paws daily.
- The moisturizing nose and paw balm can be used within 1–2 years.
Notes for this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Apply the nose and paw balm on your dog once a day. You can use it 2–3 times daily during summer and winter when his sniffer and feet are more vulnerable to cracking.
- It would take a few minutes for the balm to get absorbed by the skin. Distract your dog with treats and toys while massaging the balm on his nose and paws to keep him from licking it off.
4. Anti-Itch Dog Shampoo
This anti-itch dog shampoo is a great present for dogs suffering from persistent itching. It will not only soothe his irritated skin but also keep his coat glossy.
What you need:
- 12 drops of sweet orange essential oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 cup uncooked oatmeal
- 2 cups warm water
How to make this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Use a food processor to grind the oatmeal until it closely resembles flour.
- Combine the oatmeal powder and baking soda in a large bowl.
- Pour in the water, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Stir until all ingredients are properly combined.
- Add 12 drops of sweet orange essential oil to the mixture. Continue mixing until everything is well-blended.
Notes for this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- When bathing your dog, leave the anti-itch homemade shampoo on his fur for about 5 minutes before rinsing it off. This will allow the soothing components of the shampoo to work on his skin.
- Some homemade dog shampoo recipes recommend using dishwashing soaps, but it would be best to avoid them. Dishwashing soaps are formulated to remove grease. Applying them on your dog’s skin and coat will strip his natural oils, which could cause more skin issues.
5. Rosemary-Scented Doggy Perfume
Perfumes are not only for humans but dogs too! Create a fragrant perfume that helps eliminate your furry pal’s stinky doggy odor.
What you need:
- 12 drops rosemary essential oil
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil
- 1 teaspoon argan oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 cup distilled warm water
- 4-ounce spray bottle
How to make this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Pour the water inside the glass spray bottle.
- Add 12 drops of rosemary essential oil for the perfume’s scent.
- Add 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil and 1 teaspoon of argan oil to moisturize your dog’s coat and, at the same time, emulsify the essential oil.
- Add the apple cider vinegar and baking soda, which neutralize doggy odors.
- Shake the spray bottle firmly until the oils have completely blended with the water.
- Spray the dog perfume 6 inches away from your furry pal’s coat. Use a brush or your fingers to distribute the perfume on the rest of his fur.
Notes for this dog Christmas stocking gift:
- Be careful when spraying the perfume on your dog. Use it only on his coat. Do not include his eyes, nose, and ears, as it can cause irritation.
- Store the perfume in a cool, dark place, away from the heat and sunlight. Both can affect the chemical composition of the oils, making them lose their scent quickly.
Bonus Christmas DIY for Dog Owners
How do you make a Christmas dog stocking? Making a dog Christmas stocking commonly involves tracing a template on a Christmas-themed fabric, cutting it, and sewing the necessary parts together.
However, there are convenient ways to create one without using a needle and thread. Here is a guide for making no-sew Christmas stockings for dogs. It is perfect for dog owners who do not have much knowledge or lack the patience to sew.
How to Create a Personalized Dog Christmas Stocking
What you need:
- 1-yard Christmas-themed fleece fabric
- 2 white felt paper
- Fabric glue
- Dog-safe glitter glue
- Tailor’s chalk
- Scissors
How to make a personalized stocking for dogs:
- Draw or print a dog paw template on a piece of paper. You can use this template as a reference for the paw-shaped stocking.
- Fold the fleece fabric and lay it on a flat surface. Place the dog paw template on the fabric and trace it using a tailor’s chalk.
- Use the fabric glue to glue the edges of the pet Christmas stocking together. Leave the top part open.
- Cut out the paw print from the dog paw template and place them on the white felt paper. Trace and cut.
- Glue the paw print on the front of the Christmas pet stocking.
- Cut a small rectangle measuring 4½-by-½-inch from the fleece fabric.
- Fold the rectangle cutout into a hanging loop.
- Place it an inch down, inside the top edge of the dog Christmas stocking, and then glue it.
- Use the glitter glue to write your dog’s name on the upper part of the Christmas stocking.
Once done, you can hang this holiday decoration right next to the Christmas tree. Then stuff it full with the Christmas presents you have made for your pooch.