The holidays are here again. Lots of activity in the home, hubbub galore. So, it’s time to remember some basic tips on how to have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Putting out food when there are pets around can pose a challenge. You may have trained your pet to not counter-surf, but now food is likely to be placed in new and different places. This can seem like an open invitation for sampling by cats and dogs, as well as an opportunity to beg from people at each snack station.
If there are allergy concerns with your pets, it is important to remind your guests not to reward the great acting jobs our pets can deliver at this time of year. Yes, they have been fed. No, doing tricks does not warrant a canape. If you want to allow guests to reward your pets, set up a pet treat station, featuring treats appropriate for the animals. You can even provide hand sanitizer and paper towels or napkins.
Reactive pets may need to be separated from the holiday excitement, which can be difficult. Arranging a play date or a few hours at a doggie daycare might be an option. A kennel can be regarded as punishment, so we do not recommend it, especially if they can hear the party going on. If biting is a concern, a muzzle can be ugly but it’s better than the alternative. Make sure it’s a cage-type muzzle that lets them breathe, as the nylon ones can be used for a few minutes, but any longer than that can stop them from panting and overheat them.
Decorations and presents can also pose a challenge in a pet household. Make sure you don’t put up or display anything that may startle your pet. Motion-detector ornaments are very popular, but they can alarm dogs and cats, who may then knock over the tree or get tangled in cords.
Make sure any presents for your pets, or those which may contain items attractive to pets, aren’t placed under the tree but stored securely out of reach. They will detect even the slightest scent and can lead to them opening gifts on their own – while that might make a good Facebook post it’s not usually what we’d like to happen.
Now for the ‘pets are not gifts’ lecture. Every pet, from a goldfish to a bird to a cat or dog, is going to require ongoing care and maintenance. While it can be the most rewarding relationship we can have, pet companionship requires an investment of time and money. Many pets can live for 10 years, 20 years, or longer. And while they are so-o-o cute as babies, they don’t stay cute forever.
If someone asks for a specific pet, great. But ‘unwrapping’ the pet on Christmas morning is not always the best option. Wrapping up the pet supplies under the tree, then taking the recipient to be involved in choosing the pet makes the decision more binding and helps prevent excuses for getting out of caring for the pet later. Local rescues used to fill up with surrendered pets in the months after Christmas. It’s not as bad now but still happens.
A little planning and forethought during the holidays can make it much less stressful on us all, both humans and animals. Happy holidays!
