When we think about holiday stress, we tend to think first about forgetting to defrost the turkey or failing to find the perfect gift. But, for pet owners, holiday stress can mean losing their dog or cat, or a pet’s close injury call, toxin ingestion, or unscheduled trip to The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital or the nearest veterinary emergency center.

The holiday season requires a lot of planning, and planning also is key to your pet’s comfort and joy during this time of hustle and bustle. Here are five simple ways to ensure you and your pet have a safe and happy holiday.

#1: Consider your pet’s personality

Everyone wants a social media-worthy holiday with classic traditions and events, but you must recognize that household disruptions can upset pets. Before making big holiday plans, consider your pet’s likes and dislikes. For example, recognizing that your pet is uncomfortable around strangers and loud noises doesn’t mean that you cannot host a holiday dinner but should remind you to contact The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital about anti-anxiety medication and to create a pet-safe space in your home where your pet can rest and avoid the excitement.

If your pet is a door-dasher, pre-planning gives you time to check your fence for gaps and holes, install signs asking guests to keep doors and gates closed, or brush up on your pet’s crate training skills, rewarding their calm behavior with a long-lasting treat or distracting puzzle toy.

Also, don’t overlook small stressors, such as dressing your pet in a costume or allowing young guests to chase or harass your pet. These seemingly minor discomforts can lead to major reactions and injuries. 

#2: Ensure your pet’s holiday fashion includes current identification

Whether you’re traveling with your pet or staying home for the holidays, pets commonly go missing during the holiday season. While their owners are busy making or checking off to-do lists or entertaining visitors, curious or anxious dogs and cats can easily sneak out through open doors, slip their collars, and wander from their unsupervised yards. 

Proper identification is the best way to ensure your lost pet will be returned and includes:

  • A well-fitted collar or harness
  • Legible tags or other identification with updated contact information
  • A microchip registered with the manufacturer’s database
  • Updated microchip database profile

Don’t leave your pet’s identity up to chance. Visible identification and a registered microchip are the most efficient and reliable ways to ensure you’ll be contacted when your missing pet is found. If your pet isn’t microchipped, or you’re unsure if their chip is registered, contact The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital.

#3: Keep harmful holiday foods and decorations away from pets

Food and decor may be holiday must-haves, but many items are hazardous for pets. And, while we wouldn’t suggest you rearrange your menu or be minimalistic, we do recommend keeping pets out of the kitchen and strategically decorating to keep dangerous items out of reach.

Unsafe holiday foods include:

  • Turkey skin, fat, and pan drippings
  • Gravy
  • Cured meats
  • Meat bones
  • Onions, garlic, and leeks
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Bread dough
  • Alcohol and caffeine
  • Sugar-free foods and candies made with xylitol
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Chocolate

Dangerous decorations include:

  • Candles
  • Essential oils and liquid potpourri
  • Decorations and lights with string
  • Tinsel 
  • Snow globes 
  • Breakable and glass ornaments
  • Unsecured Christmas trees
  • Toxic plants, including mistletoe, holly, yew, lilies, amaryllis, and snowdrops

#4: Inform guests about pet-safety measures

Well intentioned but uninformed guests can undermine your pet safety plan and turn the season of giving into a season of trouble. Ensure your house guests and short-term visitors are aware of your pet’s presence and understand their role in their safe-keeping, which includes:

  • Keeping doors and gates closed
  • Storing personal belongings (e.g., purses, luggage, toiletry bags) on hooks or shelves
  • Respecting your pet’s space while they are eating, napping, playing with a toy, or eliminating
  • Ignoring your pet’s begging and not feeding table scraps
  • Throwing away trash and food waste to prevent pet ingestion
  • Getting permission for their children to interact with your pet

#5: Enjoy smooth travels by acclimating your pet

If your holiday plans include traveling with your pet, early preparations can ensure everyone has a safe and stress-free trip. First, confirm that your transportation (e.g., airlines, trains) and each destination are pet-friendly and aware that you are bringing your pet. Next, ensure you have the required health documentation (e.g., vaccine records, health certificates) for each step of your journey. Finally, if your pet isn’t a seasoned traveler, acclimate them to their crate, carrier, or seat belt before hitting the road. Allow them to investigate the item at their leisure and praise and reward any positive interactions with treats. Have your pet wear their seat belt around the house, serve dinner or a long-lasting treat in their crate or carrier, and gradually work up to brief car rides. If your pet suffers from motion sickness, withhold food prior to travel and ask your veterinarian about anti-nausea medication.

When you reach your destination, use the crate or carrier as your pet’s safe space to rest peacefully. Whenever possible, feed and exercise your pet according to their normal routine to ease travel-induced anxiety.

The best gift for your pet this holiday season isn’t a treat or a new toy—it’s the comfort and joy that comes from being safe from holiday stress and other hazards. If your pet needs medication or food refills, don’t wait until the last minute—contact The Pony Express Veterinary Hospital or visit our online pharmacy now.