Holiday planning can take a lot out of you. Between shopping for food and gifts, cleaning the house, and figuring out just how many visitors will be coming and going, you might be feeling overwhelmed. But one thing people often forget to plan for is how their pets will react when visitors are around.
Meeting new people, changes in routine, new temptations, and all the extra noise can make the holidays stressful for pets as well. Taking a little time to prepare before your visitors knock on the door will make a big difference. Here’s how to keep your pets safe and calm this holiday season.
Keeping Your Pets Safe and Calm When You Have Holiday Guests
Provide a Safe Space
Even the friendliest pet can get overwhelmed with too much activity. Giving them a quiet room with their bed, water, and safe toys can be a lifesaver. If they choose to go there, let them. They’re not being rude, they’re just taking a break.
And if your pet doesn’t want to greet visitors or be petted, that’s okay. Advocate for them. Letting your guests (and their kids) know that your cat or dog would like some space can go a long way toward preventing stress and misunderstandings.
Prepare for the Greetings
Nobody wants their pet to get lost, especially over the holidays. With doors opening and closing all the time for visitors and deliveries, the risk of escapes increases. Just in case your pet gets scared and dashes outside or your little nephew forgets to close the gate, be on the lookout for escape routes. And when you know guests will be arriving, it’s best to keep your pet safely shut in your bedroom.
Once your visitors are inside, you’ll need to keep everyone comfortable. Some dogs are jumpers, and some children get nervous around animals. It’s important to know your pet and your visitors. To put everyone at ease, it may be a good idea to keep your pet on a leash or crate them while your visitors arrive. Once things start to calm down, you can let them out for introductions.
Watch Out for Holiday Hazards
Holiday foods, dropped snacks, and tempting trash are all things pets will go for given the chance. If your pet is a counter jumper, keep them out of the kitchen or make sure any tempting foods are out of reach. Even something as simple as a plate pushed a few inches back can save you from a very stressful emergency vet visit.
Other hazards include being shut in a bathroom or closed off in a room your pet shouldn’t be in. If you’re unable to supervise your pet at all times, it’s better to keep them somewhere safe like a crate or private room.
Praise and Reward Your Pets
Don’t forget to praise your pets throughout the day. A calm greeting, a quiet sit, or dropping that turkey bone on demand are all reward-worthy feats. Keep their favorite treats within reach, and make sure to take some time out for snuggles. It’s those little things that help them stay relaxed when everything else feels different.
If You and Your Pet Are the Visitors
Holiday stress isn’t limited to home turf. If you’re bringing your pet along to someone else’s house, plan for the whole length of your visit, not just the drive over. Bring their crate, bed or blanket, their food, a leash, and some toys to keep them busy.
And make sure you have a safe space for your pet at your host’s home, especially if it isn’t “pet-friendly.” Not everyone keeps holiday plants, medications, or food tucked away like you do. A quiet room or even a crate can keep your pet safe while you enjoy your visit.
Help Your Pet Have a Calm Holiday
Every pet handles the holidays differently. Just like us, some love the extra people and attention, and others would rather skip the whole thing. Paying attention to their comfort level is the best way to help them cope with visitors. But just in case, it’s a good idea to get your pet microchipped as a precaution.
At Anasazi Animal Clinic, we want every pet to enjoy the holidays. If you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior, or you’re worried they got into something they shouldn’t have, give us a call. We’ll help calm your worries and give your pet treatment if they need it.
Photo by Photo by Emmalee Couturier on Unsplash used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 12/01/2025