While the holiday season is an exciting time of year, it can often be stressful for your furry friends. The changes in routine, noisy activities, and cold weather are just a few factors that make the holidays difficult for your pets.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can help your pets prepare for the holiday season. With careful planning and a few adjustments, you can make the celebration a fun experience for everyone.
Join Some Fun Dog-centric Activities
Rather than leave your dog at home all day while you celebrate, you could include some dog-friendly activities in your holiday plans.
Walking through an outdoor light display could be a great festive activity for families with dogs. Playing in the snow is another fun idea that may excite your pet, especially if they are snow-loving dog breeds like huskies.
Additionally, you could give your dog a new best friend this holiday season. Labradors are super compatible with other pups, so you might want to check out lab puppies for sale to give your family a new friend.
Create a Safe Space
If you think your furry friend won’t enjoy your holiday celebration, consider creating a safe space where they can relax.
Choose a room in your house to be the designated safe space for your pet. It’s best if this room is quiet and has a window where sunlight can shine through.
You might also want to periodically check on your pet while they rest in its safe space. Whether you’re refilling their water bowl or scooping their litter box, it’s important to remind your buddy that you haven’t forgotten about them.
Prioritize Your Pet’s Routines
Slipping out of your pet’s usual routines can make the holiday season all the more stressful for them.
Set reminders for walks, feedings, and other daily needs. If necessary, you can assign specific duties to people in your household to help balance the workload.
If you’re hiring a pet sitter while you go on vacation, make sure they know your routines to provide your pet’s best care.
Keep Dangerous Items Out of Reach.
Many holiday traditions can be dangerous for your pets. To avoid an unexpected trip to the vet, keep your pets away from toxic foods or potential choking hazards. Seasonal plants such as poinsettias can give your pets upset stomachs, too.
Always keep an eye on your pets while risky foods or objects are out so you can make sure they stay safe. Additionally, you should make sure all children know not to share their food with your family pets.
Find Some Festive Pet Sweaters
Your pets can get cold when the temperatures drop, just like you. Consider dressing your pup in fun holiday sweaters to keep them warm during their daily walks.
Dogs aren’t the only ones that can enjoy festive outfits. Some cats, such as sphynxes, are partial to wearing sweaters during the wintertime. So if you own a hairless cat, you can help keep them warm with a fun sweater.
Make Some Pet-friendly Holiday Treats
Although most holiday treats aren’t safe for animals, you can make homemade goodies that your pets will love. There are plenty of easy recipes around the internet that you can follow to make treats from scratch.
Not only will homemade treats make your pet happy, but making them can be an exciting activity for the whole family.
Wrapping up
As you prepare for the holiday season, it’s important not to forget about your pets. With these tips in mind, you can make the festive period fun and relaxing for your furry friend.
