The holidays are an exciting time. We decorate, entertain, and go all out to make holiday memories. But for pets, the holidays can mean a disruption to their routine and a season full of stress. There are new smells, new sounds, flashing lights, a big tree inside the house and visits from people they might not know or remember from last year. Plus, holiday planning can keep many pet parents preoccupied.
How do you know if your pet is stressed?
There are some tell-tale signs for both dogs and cats that can show how affected they are by the season. For cats, it might involve hiding, non-stop grooming, eliminating outside of the litter box, or even a lack of appetite. For dogs, their stress can be exhibited by shaking or shivering, pacing and circling, drooling or panting, hiding, and whining. But there are ways to help your furry loved one cope with the excesses of the season.
Burn off some nervous energy
All pets, like all people, benefit from exercise. Cats loving chasing a laser pointer or trying to snag a feather teaser cat toy. A trip to the dog park is just the ticket for taking Fido’s mind off of all the increased energy in the household. The added bonus? When your pet is tired, they can rest more easily when guests arrive.
Isolation can be calming
Set up a place in your home where you can put your dog or cat when guests arrive. This will make them feel more secure, and eliminate them retreating to their favorite (and sometimes unknown) hidey hole. Be sure to put their bed, toys, treats, food and water in there with them. While entertaining, drop in to check on them from time to time to reassure them that you know they’re there. If the room has a television, turn on a channel they might like such as Animal Planet, or play some calming music.
Reducing the chance of toxicity from rich foods
Some of the staples of the holiday season are rich, decadent foods like chocolate, which isn’t well tolerated by dogs. First, dogs tend to overindulge, and too much chocolate can become toxic and life-threatening. Milk chocolate, in particular, contains high concentrations of fat that dogs can’t process easily. Chocolate can also increase heart rate as it contains compounds like theobromine and caffeine. Eating large concentrations of chocolate may require hospitalization where IV medications are administered to slow heart range, encourage toxin excretion, stop seizures, and provide sedation.
When to ask your veterinarian for assistance
It’s not uncommon for people to ring in the New Year with fireworks. Fireworks can not only be disorienting for pets; it can lead them to try and run from the danger which is why so many dogs and cats are missing from their yards on New Year’s Day. Be sure your pets are microchipped in case they are running from the shock that loud noises have on their sensitive hearing so they can be scanned by the family that finds them. ID tags with your name and number are also helpful. Cube makes a GPS bluetooth smart tracker that allows you to track your pet on a mobile app. If your cat disappears, chances are good that it is nearby, but maybe too scared to come out into the open. Leave their litter box outside near the door to help them find their way home.
But perhaps the best way to prevent a runaway is by speaking with your vet first for medications that can safely sedate your pet during holiday parties and fireworks. This will help them comfortably snooze through most of the celebration.
At the Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic, we can help guide you on how to make the holidays far less stressful for your family pets.
