December in Eastbourne is loud, bright and busy. While we rush between the shops, many dogs end up with two options: random leftovers from the table or the same old dry food in the bowl. Neither of those is ideal for a stomach that is already coping with extra stress.

As a canine nutritionist, behaviourist and the owner of Nika Pet Food, I see the same pattern every year. The dogs who sail through Christmas best are not the ones who get the most treats. They are the ones whose food stays simple, fresh and consistent. This year, I decided to make it easier for Eastbourne dog owners with a special venison offer and a limited-edition festive recipe called Surf & Turf.

Why fresh-cooked dog food matters even more at Christmas

Rich leftovers, fatty meats and “just a bit of stuffing” can quickly upset a dog’s digestion. Add excitement, visitors, and broken routines, and you have a perfect recipe for loose stools, itching, or a very gassy dog in a very small living room.

• Fresh-cooked dog food offers a calmer alternative:
• Gentle on digestion, because you know exactly what is in the bowl
• Consistent from day to day, even when everything else feels chaotic
• Naturally tasty, so you do not need to keep adding treats to persuade a fussy dog to eat
• Easy to portion, which helps you keep your dog at a healthy weight despite extra snacks from well-meaning relatives

That is the idea behind Nika Pet Food. We cook in small batches in Eastbourne, using proper meat, offal and vegetables, and then freeze the food in 400 g tubs so you can defrost only what you need. Freshly cooked, and they’re hooked! And remember, all our ingredients are locally sourced, so when you buy our food, you are supporting local farmers, fishermen and hunters (yes, our venison comes from a local supplier too).

December venison offer: premium meat at everyday price

Venison is one of our favourite meats for sensitive and fussy dogs. It is lean, high in protein and often better tolerated than common proteins such as chicken or beef. Because it is a premium ingredient, it is usually a little more expensive. This December, we wanted to change that.

For the whole month, our freshly cooked venison meals are available at the same price as our regular recipes: £4 for a 400 g tub.

That means your dog can enjoy a high-quality, single-protein venison meal for the price of their usual food. For dogs who:

• have sensitive digestion

• are bored with their usual meals

• or deserve something special that is still healthy

This is a good moment to try venison without changing your whole budget.

Limited edition Surf & Turf: a festive special for dogs

Humans have Christmas dinner, dogs usually get a carrot that “mysteriously” falls off the table. I wanted to offer something more interesting, but still balanced and appropriate for a dog’s needs.

Our new festive special is called Surf & Turf. It combines fish and lamb in one fresh cooked recipe, inspired by the classic restaurant dish but designed for dogs.

It is:

• based on high-quality fish and lamb
• cooked gently, then frozen in 400 g tubs
• available only for a limited time over the Christmas period

Surf & Turf is perfect as a special Christmas meal or as a way to make the whole festive week feel different for your dog, without resorting to rich leftovers or biscuits shaped like Santa.

We are now taking pre-orders for Surf & Turf. Because this is a seasonal recipe, we cook a limited quantity, so pre-ordering helps you secure what you need for your dog.

To place an order, click here to email us

How to order and plan ahead

If you would like to:

• Take advantage of the December venison offer at £4 per 400g

• pre order our Surf & Turf festive special

• or talk through which recipe might suit your dog best

You can contact me directly by clicking here to send an email

You can stock up before the busiest days, keep tubs in the freezer and defrost what you need. That way, even if your Christmas feels slightly chaotic, your dog’s bowl does not.

A calmer Christmas for dogs and humans

Christmas in Eastbourne should feel warm, not stressful. For dogs, that means familiar walks, a quiet place to rest, and food that supports their health rather than challenges it. Fresh-cooked meals are one of the simplest ways to support their digestion, skin, and mood at a time when everything else changes.

Whether you choose our venison at the special December price or the limited-edition Surf & Turf, my aim is the same: to make it easy for you to feed real food your dog actually enjoys, without guesswork or relying on leftovers.

If you are planning for the festive season, now is the time to think about your dog’s menu too. Their bowl may be small, but it makes a big difference in how they cope with the busiest month of the year.