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Holiday Safety for Your Pups

Wednesday, November 01, 2023 | By: Cedar & Bark Photography

The winter holidays are a time to get together with family, enjoy good food, and exchange gifts. However, the holidays can be a stressful time for your pet. Strange people, smells, and noises can all be terrifying — primarily if your pet isn’t used to them. Below are some tips on how to make the holidays a little less stressful.

a dog finds a quiet spot during holiday and dreams of a photoshoot with cedar and bark photography with deborah stevenson in coquitlam bc canada

Photograph by Connor Baker / Courtesy of Unsplash.com

Create a Calm Spot

Creating a safe space for your dog or cat is an excellent way to reduce stress. Provide a crate or high perch in a quiet room away from the activity so your pets can rest as needed. Playing a soothing TV or radio show, plugging in a pheromone calming diffuser, or even providing a chew toy or puzzle toy for distraction can also help keep your pet occupied on something other than strange guests in the home. If your pet becomes too nervous or stressed out, moving them to this space can help them relax until they’re ready to socialize again.

Greeting New Guests

Greeting strange people can be very exciting and very scary. Dogs that get very excited may want to jump on guests at the door, creating a problem. Placing a leash by the door, leashing your dog, and having him sit politely when guests arrive can ensure no one drops a holiday dish when stopping by.

For shy pets, tell your guests only to interact once your pet approaches them. If your pet is curious and does approach, having your guests toss a treat in their direction can help them realize that new people are fun and not so scary. Moving them to their calm spot is best if your pet becomes too nervous.

three dogs wait by christmas tree for treats before being photographed by cedar and bark photography with deborah stevenson in port coquitlam bc canada

Photography by Jasmin Schuler / Courtesy of Unsplash.com

Harmful Foods

While you know that chocolate and sweets are toxic to pets, many holiday foods can also be harmful. Poultry bones can snap into pieces when eaten, leading to a choking hazard or bowel obstruction. While tasty, fatty foods such as gravy or roasts can cause serious health issues such as pancreatitis, which can land your pet in the hospital. It’s best to give people food sparingly or provide your pet with a stomach-safe meal for the holiday. If your pet does eat something wrong or is acting ill, be sure to call your vet right away.

parents introduce their dog to the neighbours during a holiday dinner at deborah stevensons cedar and bark photography studio in coquitlam bc canada

Photography by Chewy / Courtesy of Unsplash.com

Interacting With New Pets

 Travelling guests may bring their pets to holiday gatherings, which can be scary for your own. If anyone is bringing a new pet by, be sure to have a monitored, short introduction to make sure the pets get along. Picking up items of contention, such as bones, bowls of food, beds, and treats, will also reduce the chances of fighting over these items. If you or your guest’s pets are too stressed out, moving them to a quiet room or a crate where the other pet can’t get to can help everyone relax.

The holidays are fun but can also be stressful. Ensuring your pet has a place to relax safely can keep the holiday fun and exciting for everyone.

Wishing you and your furry companions a wonderful and safe holiday season! If you want to see some of the adorable pets Cedar & Bark Photography has worked with, follow us on INSTAGRAM.

 

[The images for this blog topic were sourced from the pexels.com platform which supports international photographers by making their imagery and contact information accessible. Supporting and building a positive community for photographers everywhere is something Cedar and Bark Photography is invested in.]

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