🎉 Preparing Pets for the Holidays – Vet Edition 2025 🐶🐱

The holiday season brings joy, gatherings, decorations, and travel—but for our pets, these changes can be overwhelming. With Dr Duncan Houston BVSc’s expert veterinary guidance, you can ensure your furry family members feel safe, calm, and included in holiday celebrations. This in-depth guide covers planning, safety, enrichment, and emotional care tailored to the 2025 holiday season.

Why Holiday Prep Matters for Pets

Pets thrive on routine and predictability. When life changes rapidly—redecorations, guests, travel—they can feel stressed, anxious, or unsafe. Common holiday stressors include:

• 🎊 Frequent visitors and loud noises
• ✨ New holiday decor and unfamiliar objects
• ⏰ Disrupted routines (exercise, feeding, social attention)
• 🌍 Holiday travel or boarding

Without preparation, these factors can lead to behavioral issues, stress-related illness, or safety risks. Thoughtful planning transforms holiday hassles into joyous shared memories.

🛋️ Create a Pet Safe Zone

Give your pet a peaceful sanctuary away from crowds, noise, and foot traffic:

• Choose a quiet interior room or closet with a comfy bed.
• Provide white noise or calming background music—especially during fireworks or parties.
• Include chew toys, puzzle feeders, and treats for mental stimulation.
• Keep the safe space available **before** and **during** holiday gatherings.

This safe zone helps your pet retreat and de-stress as needed.

🏡 Manage Routines & Enrichment

Maintain exercise, feeding, and attention even during festive chaos:

• Schedule walks and play sessions before guests arrive.
• Use treat puzzles or stuffed Kongs during busy events.
• Preserve feeding times as much as possible—use automatic feeders if plans require flexibility.
• Set aside calm bonding time—especially with children at home for holiday break.

Maintaining structure supports emotional well-being and avoids behavioral frustration.

🎄 Decoration & Hazards Watchlist

Holiday décor adds charm—but also hazards.

• Lights & cords: Tape down wires, use cord protectors, and unplug when not needed.
• Toxic plants: Holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, amaryllis—keep out of pet reach.
• Ornaments: Fragile glass is a risk—opt for plastic or place at higher levels.
• Snow globe liquid: Often contains ethylene glycol—potentially fatal.
• Tinsel, ribbon: Popular with cats, yet can cause serious GI obstruction if swallowed.

Inspect décor placement, secure potential hazards, and swap risky items for pet-safe alternatives.

🥳 Parties & Visitors

Holiday visitors can stress pets through crowds and noise—but you can ease their experience:

• Alert guests to avoid near pet areas and access to food tables, alcohol, or trash.
• Ensure pet access to safe space at all times.
• Place food puzzles and treats by pet safe zone for distraction.
• Don’t force pet participation in events—let them approach in their own time.
• Care for their basic needs—take bathroom breaks and feed before guests arrive.
• Crate dogs early on if they’re crate-trained; otherwise provide solitude in a quiet room.

Respecting your pet’s pace builds trust and prevents stress reactions.

🎒 Traveling or Boarding Tips

If your holidays include travel, here’s how to keep pets safe and healthy:

a) Traveling with Pets

• Book pet-friendly lodging well in advance.
• Pack familiar items: bedding, toys, treats, and copy of vet records.
• Plan breaks—pets need exercise, shade, water in transit.
• Consult your vet for travel calming options like supplements or medication.

b) Leaving Pets Behind

• Boarding: Reserve early, tour the facility, ensure vaccination requirements are met.
• Pet sitters: Introduce sitters ahead of time, share routines and emergency contacts.
• Provide ample key instructions—feeding times, medication, out-of-bounds areas.

🐾 Including Pets Safely in Festivities

Pets are part of the family—and with thoughtfulness, they can join celebrations:

• Opt for festive bandanas or collars over full costumes.
• Arrange photo ops with treats rather than extended outfit time.
• Take calm outdoor walks with guests away from interiors.
• Create a scavenger treat hunt with hidden toys and little surprises.
• Have a cozy movie night with your pet in a warm lap or bed.

Keep sessions short and simple so pets can enjoy without stress.

🌡 Calming Aids & Vet Support

Even with prep, some pets may feel overwhelmed. In these cases:

• Ask your vet about supplements, pheromone diffusers (DAP), or calming collars.
• Medication may be needed if anxiety is moderate to high—always consult your vet.
• Behavior consultation may help if past holidays led to stress or escape attempts.

✅ Comprehensive Holiday Pet Checklist

• Create safe zone ahead of holiday season
• Maintain routine and exercise schedule
• Pet-proof decor: cords, ornaments, toxic plants
• Manage festivities: safe retreat, feeding, bathroom prep
• Plan for travel or boarding: accommodations, vet paperwork
• Include pets gently with treats and short activities
• Use calming aids—supplements, diffusers, vet guidance
• Provide emotional care and quiet cuddle time

🎄 Case Study: “Bella & Max’s Holiday Harmony”

When Bella (5‑year‑old Golden Retriever) and Max (2‑year‑old Tabby cat) faced their first holiday season together in 2024, staff at Ask A Vet guided them through building a tranquil retreat, introducing calm décor, and maintaining routine. Marketing supporting training (“sit for calm”, silver bow collar) and scent swaps via cozy blankets helped. Annual vet check confirmed all routine vaccinations and supplement recommendations. When Sunday night’s fireworks began, white noise masked the noise, and Max found retreat stacks while Bella chewed stuffed toys. Both settled with minimal stress—thanks to advance prep!

Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

The holidays are brighter when every family member feels safe—including pets. By planning ahead and providing structure, calm spaces, and gentle inclusion, you can reduce stress and enhance joy. Vet‑approved strategies from 2025 ensure your festive season is merry, mindful, and harmonious.

For personalized advice during the holidays, connect with Ask A Vet. Download the Ask A Vet app today to chat 24/7 with vet professionals and keep your pets happy throughout seasons of celebration. 🎁🐾