Pet lovers can’t help but feel the warm fuzzies when they hear heartwarming holiday tales featuring furry stars. Whether it’s a cute pup melting someone’s frozen heart or a mischievous kitten bringing together strangers, a pet-centric story makes you all warm and toasty inside.
Snuggling up and watching a Christmas movie or curling up with a good book is an excellent way to enjoy the season with pets. You get to spend quality time with your pal and experience that feel-good spirit that’s synonymous with the holidays.
No matter if you’re a book lover, film buff, or both, these holiday tales featuring pets are sure to get you in the Christmas mood.
The Perfect Books for a Canine Christmas
These books are popular picks for dog lovers who love Christmas. They’ll make you laugh, cry, and remember why dogs are the absolute greatest.
1. The 12 Dogs of Christmas
Author: Susan Wiggs
Year Published: 2024
Available Formats and Where to Buy: You can find the hardcover online at Amazon or Bookshop, or pick up a copy at your nearest Barnes and Noble or Books-a-Million. Amazon, Google Play, and Barnes and Noble also offer ebook and audio CD versions. Apple Books and Kobo also have the ebook.
Synopsis: The book tells the story of Brenda Malloy, who’s piecing her life back together after discovering her husband’s affair last Christmas Eve. Needless to say, she doesn’t want anything to do with Christmas. However, part of Brenda’s healing process involves working with a dog rescue organization. She travels 2,000 miles to hand deliver 12 pups to their new homes and experiences her fair share of obstacles along the way. But through it all, she gets important reminders about the true meaning of Christmas and decides to open her heart.
Notes: Several books and movies share this title. However, there is no movie version of this specific book.
2. A Dog's Perfect Christmas
Author: W. Bruce Cameron
Year Published: 2020
Available Formats and Where to Buy: Find this book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books-a-Million as a hardcover, ebook, paperback, or audiobook.
Synopsis: This Christmas season, the Goss family is dealing with a lot of problems that threaten to break them apart. When a lost puppy shows up, the Gosses seem to have yet another issue to handle. However, the unexpected furry visitor is exactly what the family needs.
Notes: There is no movie version of this novel. However, the author did pen the heartfelt A Dog’s Purpose, which was made into a feature film starring Dennis Quaid and Peggy Lipton.
3. A Dog Named Christmas
Author: Greg Kincaid
Year Published: 2008
Available Formats and Where to Buy: Buy on Amazon as a hardcover, paperback, audiobook, or ebook, or get the ebook version from Barnes and Noble.
Synopsis: A developmentally challenged young man named Todd McCray wants to foster a dog during the Christmas season to help out the local shelter. His father refuses until Todd’s persistence wins out. Todd names the dog Christmas and soon begins efforts to help the other dogs that need homes. He encourages the town’s residents to participate in the shelter’s Adopt a Dog Program, teaching everyone what Christmas is all about.
Notes: The book was turned into a film that premiered as a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in 2009. You can stream the movie in many places, including Amazon Prime, Hallmark, Pluto TV, Apple TV, and the ROKU Channel. The book is actually the second in a series written by the author, starting with the prequel, A Christmas Home.
Christmas Stories for Cat Lovers
Cat cuddlers who love to read won’t want to miss these feline-friendly books for Christmas.
1. A Gift from Bob
Author: James Bowen (with assistance from Garry Jenkins)
Year Published: 2014
Available Formats and Where to Buy: Buy the hardcover, paperback, audiobook, or ebook on Amazon. The audiobook is also available on Audible, Libro.fm, and Kobo, or download the ebook from Barnes and Noble.
Synopsis: In this book, the author shares his experiences during his last Christmas busking on the streets and dealing with seemingly insurmountable struggles. He reminisces about how his faithful street cat Bob helped him get through harrowing times, allowing him to see the true power of the Christmas spirit.
Notes: The full title is A Gift from Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas. It is part of a five-book collection that revolves around the loveable orange tabby. The book inspired the 2020 film A Christmas Gift from Bob.
2. Homer and the Holiday Miracle
Author: Gwen Cooper
Year Published: 2018
Available Formats and Where to Buy: You can find print copies of the book at Target, Walmart, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, and other book retailers. There are also ebook and audiobook formats available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Synopsis: The true story of a determined sightless kitten known as the Blind Wonder Cat. When doctors said Homer wouldn’t survive, he beat the odds, not only surviving but thriving. The book tells the fearless feline’s story, spotlighting his many adventures and pivotal moments. It also helps cast a spotlight on special needs animals that were once considered unadoptable, helping pave the way for them to find forever homes.
Notes: The book is one of several in a series dedicated to sharing Homer’s special story, including Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale. The author spends a lot of time speaking at animal shelters and on fundraising efforts. She donates 10% of Homer’s Odyssey royalties to shelters working with disabled, abandoned, and abused animals.
3. Snowball's Christmas
Author: Kristen McKanagh
Year Published: 2020
Available Formats and Where to Buy: Get the paperback from Barnes and Noble, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Books-a-Million, and Indiebound. Ebook versions are also available from Barnes and Noble and Amazon, as well as Kobo, Google, and Apple.
Synopsis: Snowball is a little powder-puff on legs who’s delighted to spend Christmas inside Miss Tilly’s warm and cozy bed and breakfast. Emily, who cooks for the guests, adores Snowball, but she isn’t thrilled when Miss Tilly’s nephew, Lukas, shows up. Lukas wants to sell the B&B so his aunt can retire, but Snowball has other plans, determined to help Emily and Lukas see that they’re meant to be together.
Notes: Snowball’s Christmas is part of a series of books starring the cute, fluffy kitten. Other titles include The Twelve Days of Snowball, How Snowball Stole Christmas, and Snowball Unwrapped.
Are You and Your Pet in a Movie Mood This Christmas?
If you’d rather cuddle up on the couch with your fur baby and some hot cocoa, add these holiday movies featuring pets to your watchlist.
Treat Your Dog or Cat to Heartfelt Holiday ‘Tails’
Give your furry friend extra affection, cuddles, and quality time together by reading a great book or watching a holiday movie. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some downtime during the hustle and bustle of the season. So grab a cup of hot tea and your favorite snack, give your fur baby a Neat-Lik filled with a tasty treat, and let the stories begin.
For more fun ways to spend the holidays with your pet, check out the rest of the Neater Pets blog.