Keeping Pets Safe During Holiday Gatherings: A Vet's 2025 Guide

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, founder of Ask A Vet 🩺 Helping you manage pet stress during celebrations in 2025

🎄 Why Holiday Gatherings Stress Pets

Holiday celebrations are joyful for humans—but for many pets, they can be overwhelming. Studies show ~30% of dogs and ~66% of cats experience anxiety during social events :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. New guests, noises, smells, and disruptions in routine can trigger stress responses that affect their health and behavior.

📋 What to Watch For: Signs of Stress

Early detection helps prevent escalation:

🐕 Dogs

• Excessive panting, pacing
• Salivation, whining, shaking
• Hiding, not eating, accidents
• Body language: tucked tail, pinned ears, dilated pupils :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

🐈 Cats

• Hiding, refusing to eat
• Excessive vocalization
• Litter box avoidance, blocked pupils
• Tucked tail or flattened ears :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

✅ Pre-Holiday Preparation

Start a few weeks before your event to set your pets up for success:

• Create a “safe space”: A quiet room, crate, or gated area with bedding, white noise, pheromone diffusers, and familiar items :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Train positive associations: Use treats or toys to encourage retreating to this space using cues.
• Introduce enrichment toys: Puzzle feeders, chew toys, and interactive games distract and soothe :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Consider calming aids: OTC supplements like Solliquin or Zylkene, or veterinarian-prescribed options, tested days in advance :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Install treat dispensers: Petcube Bites or Treat & Train help reinforce calm behavior remotely :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

📅 Day-of Event Checklist

• Exercise first: 30 min for dogs; 15–20 min of play for cats to expend nervous energy :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Mental stimulation: Quick training session to focus their mind.
• Settle in safe space before guests arrive, with calming music/white noise.
• Diffusers/sprays plugged in and activated ahead of time.
• Administer supplements early so they can begin working before stress peaks :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

🗓️ Managing Stress During the Event

• Limit access to guests: Use barriers or closed doors to protect retreat areas :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Check in frequently: Offer brief reassurance, affection, or treats every 30–60 minutes :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Observe behavior: If pet ventures out calmly, allow supervised visits.
• Never force interaction: Respect their comfort zone; stress can build over hours or days :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🧠 Post-Gathering Recovery

Continue watching for delayed stress reactions

• Signs: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hiding :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
• Maintain routine, enrichment, and quiet downtime.
• Avoid hosting again too soon if your pet remains anxious.

🐾 Additional Tips for Pets & Visitors

• Inform guests: Ask visitors to avoid touching or feeding pets without permission.
• Provide clear cues: “Pet Allowed” indicator or gated pathways help guide interactions.
• Maintain feeding routines: Sudden changes can heighten anxiety.
• Emergency plan: Know a vet’s holiday hours and have the Ask A Vet app ready.

💡 Enrichment Tech: Woopf & Purrz

• Woopf: Interactive laser or motion trackers that keep pets engaged during downtime.
• Purrz: Calming treats to support nervous relief and recovery post-event.

📌 The Vet's Final Word

Hosting holiday guests doesn’t mean sacrificing your pet’s comfort. With proactive planning—safe spaces, enrichment, calming aids—and compassionate monitoring, it’s possible to have a peaceful celebration for all. Emotions matter as much as logistics. At Ask A Vet, we guide you in creating stress-free, joyful moments with your pets this season. 🐶🎉🐱