-
01
The first step to helping your pets deal with the holiday season is to look for signs of stress: pacing, aggression, panting, destructive behavior, or changes in eating habits are all signs to look out for!
-
02
Although it's pretty clear that the dog in this meme is not excited, some signs of stress are often mistaken for excitement! If your dog being abnormally clingy to you when lots of people are around, or really into other people, they might be checking them for suspicious activity. This is a sign of stress.
-
03
Another sign of anxiety, hyperactivity, AKA zoomies.
-
04
Tip #1: It's important to make sure your pet has a safe space when lots of unfamiliar things are happening. If they have a crate or a bed and you feel that they are getting overwhelmed, take them away from the action with something that calms them down (like a toy) and put them there for a few minutes.
-
05
Tip #2: Try as best as you can to not move your pet's bed during the holidays. Find a different place for your Christmas tree! Pets find comfort in routine and consistency, so moving their bed, which is their safe place, will only confuse them and add more stress.
-
06
Tip #3: Check in on your dogs frequently. You provide them with a sense of security and love. Think of it like holding your partner's hand when you feel anxious. If it helps you, it will probably help them. A good head scratch can go a long way!
-
07
Tip #4: Assure your pets with lots of love that everything is okay (a very professional doctor on staff recommends 300 snuggles a day). Pets can pick up on our emotions, so if you're feeling stressed, they might as well.
-
08
Tip #5: Routine is key! Try to keep up your routine as much as possible. Even on the days of the holiday, don't snooze on walks or quality time with your pet. They love you and want to celebrate in their way too!
-
09
Tip #6: Introduce guests to the pets slowly and not all at once. This stops the dog from getting over excited and past their threshold of listening to you.
-
10
Tip #7: Try to exercise your dogs or play with your cats to tire them out a bit before a big event, so they won't have extra energy when all the people arrive.
-
11
Cats and Christmas trees are a toxic relationship. The cat loves the Christmas tree, but the Christmas tree doesn't love it back! Depending on the energy level of your cat, it has the potential to be dangerous. The cat could accidentally knock the tree over and hurt itself or someone else.
-
12
Tip #8: Hang your ornaments or lights as far out of the cat's reach as possible to avoid any temptation. Or if you're like this person, simply mount your Christmas tree to the ceiling!
-
13
Tip #9: Training is key. Okay, maybe this doesn't work so well with cats, but you get the idea.
-
14
Tip #10: Sit and stay are two very important commands for your dogs. Your dog should not be anxious when you walk away after commanding them to stay, so if they are practice the command with treats slowly increasing your distance and time away from them.
-
15
If you've reached the end of this and you still don't know what to do, don't worry! Just think about what you would want if you were feeling anxious around a lot of people. Give them proper love and attention, and they'll love you back. That's all we want anyway, right? Happy Holidays!
Check out our Instagram for more hilarious animal content!
Love our stuff? Shop for some of our pawsome merch here.