Whether there are dogs, cats, or small pets in your home, it’s important to know how to keep them calm and content.
General tips
- Maintain their routine: Familiarity is calming for pets, so feeding them at their usual times and maintaining their regular exercise routine can be really good for them.
- Follow their lead: Never force your pet to socialise if they aren’t interested. Always make sure they have the option to retreat to a quiet area of the home where they won’t be disturbed.
- Be aware of toxic treats and health hazards: Many foods that we consider tasty treats can be deadly for our pets. Store chocolates well out of the way and keep any edible Christmas treats towards the top of your tree. Avoid hanging small decorations within their reach too, as these can be a choking hazard if swallowed.
- Use a pheromone plugin: Pheromones are natural scents that pets release to communicate with each other. Pheromone plugins contain an artificial form of calming, happy pheromones, which can help relax your pets if they feel stressed.
- Source suitable pet care: If you’re going away without your pet, book them into a trusted kennel or cattery or arrange for a pet sitter to look after them. Make arrangements in advance to ensure your pets have the care they need, and check that their vaccinations are up to date.
- Check your travel arrangements: If you’re taking your pet away with you, check that you’ve made appropriate travel arrangements. For more information, read our expert guidance on safe car travel for pets or take a look at our top tips for taking your pets on public transport.
Keeping dogs calm
With lots of new people around, festive food on display, and twinkly lights scattered throughout the home, dogs can get excited - or anxious - around Christmas.
However, there are some steps you can take to keep your four-legged friend as calm as possible:
- Try longer walkies: Keep to your normal feeding and walking routine as much as possible, but consider slightly longer walks to tire your dog out (only if they can manage it).
- Keep them occupied: Give your dog plenty of toys to keep them entertained. Brain games and feeding puzzles are especially good for keeping curious minds busy!
- Limit your four-legged guests: Unless your dog is sociable and friendly, don’t invite any unfamiliar pets to your home. Your four-legged friend probably won’t appreciate meeting new dogs beside all the other changes.
- Act normally around them: Naturally, you and your guests may want to spoil your dog. However, if their personality means they prefer to remain out of the limelight, this extra attention can be very overwhelming for them.
- Skip the scraps: Unfortunately, your dog won’t understand “it’s Christmas” and may start expecting you to share your food at every meal, so it’s best to avoid getting into the habit of feeding them any scraps. It’s also much safer for them to stick to their normal food, as human treats can lead to weight gain or stomach upsets.
- Make a doggy den: Some dogs need to be alone for times when it all gets too much, so having an area where they can retreat for quiet time is very important. Try not to disturb them, so they know it’s their space.
Keeping cats calm
Cats are creatures of habit, and so the buzz of activity and changes during the Christmas period can make them feel stressed or at risk of danger.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your feline friend calm:
- Decorate the house slowly: Cats tend to be wary of new objects so, instead of changing everything all at once, introduce Christmas decorations gradually. Remember, any decorations that could harm your cat (e.g. small baubles and tinsel) should be kept completely out of their reach.
- Pick your Christmas decorations carefully as your cat may decide they’re new toys! Ornaments made from wood, fabric, or plastic are more practical than those made from fragile materials, such as glass. One swipe at a particularly shiny bauble could bring the whole tree crashing down, so make sure your tree is secure too.
- Let them go somewhere up high to hide: Some cats prefer to stay out of the way when it gets too busy or when they simply crave their own space. Offer them a comfy space up high (e.g. on top of the kitchen cabinets), so they can watch the hustle and bustle from afar.
- Create a safe zone: Stop guests from going into at least one room in the house – preferably the room your cat likes to hide in – to provide a safe space for them to relax. Make sure your cat has everything they need in this room, including food, water, and a litter tray.
- Feed them their usual food: Whilst it’s tempting to treat your cat to high-calorie foods over the festive period, it’s important they maintain a healthy weight. Limit the number of treats you give them to prevent them from overindulging.
- Don’t forget about playtime: You may have plenty of guests to entertain or Christmas parties to attend, but don’t forget that your cat needs your company too! As well as strengthening your bond, playtime will allow them to use their energy positively.
Read more: How to de-stress your cat
Keeping small animals calm
Rabbits, guinea pigs, and small indoor pets shouldn’t be forgotten around busy holidays, as all of the coming and going may unsettle them too.
Here are a few tips to keep your small animals calm too:
- Move them to a quieter area: Although some small animals are sociable, more people and louder noise than usual might be unsettling. Moving their cage to a more peaceful part of the house will allow them to have some breaks from all the activity. Check that they have the option to hide somewhere too.
- Keep checking in: Take the time to check in on your pet and make sure they’re okay. Rats are especially social animals, so be sure to spend plenty of time with them (in addition to your guests!).
- Don’t forget about outdoor pets: Rabbits and guinea pigs still need plenty of exercise out of their hutches. If you’ve moved their hutch indoors during the colder months, make sure they’re somewhere quiet and always have access to an area big enough to exercise in – but check there are no wires from the Christmas lights in their reach first!
- Place them away from TVs, speakers or radios: Our small furry friends are sensitive to unexpected sounds, such as loud bangs. To keep them calm, it’s best to keep them away from any sound outlets, such as your TV, radio, or speakers.
- Keep them busy: Keep your small animal occupied with plenty of toys and puzzles!
Read more: How to have a pet-friendly Christmas