Having a Stress Free Holiday with Your Pets and Guests

The holidays are just around the corner and you've decided to share it with your extended family and friends. You're looking forward to it with some anticipation and even some trepidation because you have pets, and not everyone in your guest list does.

Problem Pets, Problem Guests

Before you even think of thawing out that turkey, start thinking about who you're going to invite - or who you have invited. Do your pets know these people, or are they complete strangers? Are your pets well socialized and well mannered? Do your guests have pet allergies? Do they have rowdy kids? All these things factor in when considering what to do when it comes to handling the interaction.

Danger, Will Robinson!

Regardless of who you invite, you need to alert them you have pets and what type. Guests who have severe allergies to pets may not be able to even step in your home, much less deal with Fido and Fluffy without some kind of reaction, no matter how much vacuuming, brushing and keeping your pet away from them you do. Same is true with folks who are terrified of dogs.

Guests with small children and rowdy children can be problems, particularly to a pet who isn't used to children or children who play roughly with pets. It's a recipe for disaster and one you don't want to pass on to your family along with the baked sweet potatoes and marshmallows.

Troublesome Pets

At the same time, if your pet isn't the best behaved, is snappy or aggressive, or just too rambunctious, now is the time to reconsider your options. You may think it's cute for your pet to nudge you off the couch or jump up to greet you, but frail Great Aunt Mabel isn't going to be so thrilled when your pet knocks her over.

Whose House Is It, Anyway?

This is your house, of course, and these are your pets. You may, like me, have a sign that states something to the fact that if your guests can't accept your pets, they can't accept you and they should go away. (It's only a partial joke - these are my animals). But, if you're going to have guests, you're going to have to make some concessions.

Know Thyself; Know Thy Pets

If your pet really doesn't do well with people, it's time to start thinking about some doggie daycare or even a pet vacation away from the homestead while your family descends on it. Even if you have well-behaved pets, you're going to have to come up with a "safe place" for your pet to go to when things get a little too weird. A spare bedroom, your bedroom or even your pet's crate is a good place for him to nap and avoid the relatives.

Stressed Out

Keep in mind that holidays are unusually stressful - and your pet may pick up your stress from you as well. Stress makes even well behaved animals act in unusual ways, so go back to basics and keep trash and unusually tempting things away from inquisitive noses. Your cat may start scratching inappropriate items or your dog may chew things he wouldn't normally chew. This is a reaction to stress and you need to relieve it to prevent the behavior from becoming a pattern.

Give your dog or cat puzzle toys filled with goodies to occupy their time. Play with them to reduce the excessive energy. Take your dog on some long walks. And most importantly, spend time with your pet. That'll be a better present than anything you could put under a tree for him.

Reference

Margaret H. Bonham , Bring Me Home, Dogs Make Great Pets, Howell Book House: 2004.

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