The holiday season is likely busy, chaotic, and stressful. Our pets can sense our feelings and if we are feeling stressed, they will ‘pick up’ on it and feel it too. To keep everyone, including our four-legged friends, calm, comfortable, and happy this holiday season, here are some helpful tips and advice. 

Causes of holiday stress in your pets

Holidays can turn an ordinarily calm, organized house into a stressful one. Cats and dogs are extremely aware of their owner’s joy and frustration and can experience both sides of the holidays too. The top three causes of holiday stress in your pets:

1. Altered schedules
2. Changes to their environment. For example, decorations and lights both indoor and outdoor.
3. Unexpected visitors

Stress signals to be aware of in your pet

Just like people, there are many ways cats and dogs show they are stressed. Some signs of stress are very clear, while others are subtle and difficult to observe. Below is a list of common stress signals to be aware of in your pet.

• Separation anxiety, which could include whining, pacing, barking when owners leave the home.
• Destructiveness. Pets may tear up furniture, toys or household items.
• Inappropriate elimination or house soiling
• Hiding
• Trembling
• Changes in appetite
• Aggression
• Licking, yawning, averting eyes when meeting new animals or people

Tips to minimize stress for your pets

While the hustle and bustle of the holidays can cause stress and anxiety for pets, especially if you have a house full of new faces, with a little bit of planning and preparation, the festivities can be enjoyable for everyone. Here are some tips and advice we recommend:

General

1. Keep a routine as much as possible, especially for feeding times and walk/exercise schedule.
2. Make sure trees and gifts do not block their access to their food, water, or litter box.
3. Ensure you spend some time with your pet every day to play with them and give them affection, so they don’t feel left out or ignored.
4. If you will be hosting gatherings, work on your pet’s manners and reinforce obedience training prior to having guests come over. 
5. Find reliable pet sitters, so if you have a party to attend where you might have to spend the night away from home, you don’t have to worry about your pet. Write instructions for both the daily routine and situations that might occur.
6. If you will be travelling, ideally this won’t be your pets first time doing so. Make sure you have a crate and all necessary supplies for the trip and your pet is as calm and comfortable as possible.

When having get-togethers at your home:

1. Clearly communicate with your guests what the rules are for your pets. For example, they are not allowed on furniture, don’t encourage them to jump etc.
2. Set up a pet-friendly room or area. Make the space comfortable with their bed, water, favourite toys and some treats. Your pet doesn’t have to stay secluded the entire time you are having a gathering, rather, give them intentional breaks from the festivities to allow them to relax, recharge and then come back to the gathering.
3. Make sure your pet has had plenty of exercise before guests arrive. 
4. Introduce guests to your pet slowly.
5. Remind parents of young children to be gentle with the pet—no pulling tails or ears or encouraging lively play, as someone could get hurt.

Foods/plants to avoid

Many of the foods and drinks we love over the holidays can actually be very dangerous for our pets. For dogs this includes chocolate, alcohol, turkey bones, fruit cakes, garlic, onions, and raisins. Foods your cat should steer clear from include tuna, onions, garlic, raw meat and eggs, liver, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, milk and other dairy products, grapes, and raisins. 

It is also important to note that there are popular holiday flowers/plants to avoid, as they are dangerous to our pets. These include poinsettia, mistletoe, holly, Christmas cacti and lilies. Real Christmas trees are generally non-toxic to cats and dogs, but the oils from the trees and its needles can irritate your pet’s mouth, get stuck in their paws, and cause an upset stomach if too many are eaten. Artificial Christmas trees are a safer option for your pets.

Hopefully you’ve found these tips useful and they help you and your pets avoid some holiday stress. And if you’re stressed about what to feed your pet because you want to feed your them the best, feed them Nutram!

 

Take our What’s Your Nutram Number Quiz to find out which recipe is best for your pet.

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