Tag: holidays

How to Calm an Anxious Dog During the Holidays

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A Bernese mountain dog wearing a red and white Santa hat and smiling while sitting in front of a Christmas tree.

The holiday season is often the happiest time of the year for many people. But for some dogs, it can be quite upsetting! Treats left out that they’re not allowed to have. Weird footsteps on the roof. Strangers traipsing through their home and stealing their spot on the couch. The horror!

So how do you keep your dog calm among the many stressful situations that the holidays often bring? From calming treats to prescription medications and more, discover some ways to reduce anxiety and keep your dog jolly and ho-ho-healthy this holiday season!

What Are Some Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs?

If you’re in the middle of a holiday party and your dog starts acting a little abnormal, it might be due to anxiety — stress and anxiety in dogs is often expressed through body language. In general, your dog’s behavior can vary depending on what kind of stressful event or situation is triggering their anxiety. For example, loud noises may cause them to run and hide, while strangers in the home may cause them to bark or act aggressively. There are a variety of behavioral signs to look out for, but some of the most common signs of anxiety in dogs include:

  • Excessive barking or whining
  • Destructive behaviors, such as chewing or digging
  • Seeking constant attention or being clingy
  • Ears pinned back, or their tail tucked between their legs
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Soiling in the house 
  • Loss of appetite

While many of these behaviors can be a common indicator of stress, it’s important to be on the lookout for any behavior that seems out of the ordinary. From pups to senior dogs, a break from their normal routine may be a warning sign of distress or illness. If you notice changes in eating and drinking habits, sleep patterns or atypical social behavior, contact your veterinarian.

Do Calming Treats for Dogs Work?

Yes! Calming treats can be an effective way to reduce anxiety and help keep your pup calm when they’re feeling stressed. However, the effectiveness of calming bites and calming chews can vary depending on the active ingredients used in the product. The most common ingredients that have calming properties and may help soothe dogs include melatonin and the amino acids L-theanine and L-tryptophan. Treats and soft chews containing these ingredients can help with relaxation and reduce stress in situations that cause mild anxiety. However, always check with your veterinarian before giving any calming treats to your dog or adding supplements to your dog’s diet.

While we’re on the subject of treats, be sure to limit feeding your pup any snacks or treats while cooking holiday meals, and always make sure that any table scraps are safe for dogs to eat. Even if a holiday treat isn’t toxic, sugary sweets and other festive treats can lead to unexpected energy bursts and anxiety spikes, so try your best to say no to any begging attempts.

Do Calming Meds for Dogs Work?

Yes, calming medications for dogs have been shown to be quite effective when it comes to managing anxiety. However, it’s always important to first consult with your veterinarian before attempting to give your dog any kind of medication. A veterinarian can help prescribe the right medication and dosage for your pup to help reduce anxiety, fear and any destructive behaviors that holiday-related stressors can cause. 

The impact of prescribed medication and other pet supplements can vary, and oftentimes medication alone is not enough. Relaxation therapies, behavior modification techniques and physical exercise can all go a long way towards helping your dog manage everyday stress.

Other Common Calming Aids for Dogs

If some of the best calming treats or prescription medications aren’t having an impact, there are plenty of other common calming aids for you to explore that promote relaxation in dogs. First, provide your dog with a safe space away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays that provides a secure and comforting space for them to retreat to. Make sure they have access to food and water and give them puzzle toys as a distraction from the stressful experience. If you’re busy, have a friend check on your dog regularly to ensure they’re doing OK.

There are a variety of products that provide physical comfort — like anxiety vests and blankets — that can soothe your pup and help reassure them that they’re safe when feeling scared. You can also find anxiety collars that use calming pheromones and aromatherapy scents like lavender to help reduce stress levels. 

It’s also important to remember that, like humans, nervous dogs can often work out their anxiety through physical activity. Playtime activities like chewing on a favorite chew toy, playing fetch or going on a simple walk through the neighborhood can have a calming effect and help relieve stress. These remedies also come with the added benefit of expending excess energy, which may help your dog relax with the rest of the family after a big holiday meal. 

Remember, Stress Relief for Dogs Is Important All Year Long!

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that a dog’s life isn’t only stressful during the holiday season. Whether the cause is a stressful car ride to the vet, separation anxiety, Fourth of July fireworks or a storm in the middle of the night, your dog’s anxiety can be triggered by a variety of different events or changes to their environment at any time of the year. 

It’s important to pay attention to your dog’s body language and do your best to prioritize their physical and mental health during every season. Socializing with other dogs, a healthy diet and regular exercise can all help keep your dog’s anxiety at bay. Regular health exams with your vet can help ensure that you’re taking the right steps to address the specific triggers for your canine companion. 

Doing so will not only improve your dog’s quality of life, it can also help reduce your own stress levels as well!

Cat Stress Relief: How to Keep the Holidays Stress Free

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A close-up of a white and brown cat lying on its side in front of a Christmas tree.

When the holidays approach, celebration with loved ones is always on the to-do list. But our time of cheer and merriment also brings about some changes to your feline friend’s routine and habits, and that can be stressful on a kitty! Great Aunt Frida has already invited four of her friends to your house, completely disregarding your cat’s feelings about crowds! So what are you to do?

How to Destress a Cat During the Holidays

The good news is that you don’t have to switch up your plans or trim the guest list. Here are some ways you can help anxious cats de-stress before, during and after the celebrations. Grab your pen and get ready to take notes — because even your cat may have questions about how to de-stress their holiday.

1. Introduce Your Kitty to the New Humans

Has your furry friend met everyone on the guest list? If not, add peaceful introductions to the agenda. You can do this by letting your cat decide when they would like to interact with company.

If your cat backs away when approached by a new face, let your guests know it just takes your fur baby some time to warm up to folks. Many cats prefer to meet new people on their own terms. Pressuring your cat into being held or petted will only cause unnecessary anxiety.

2. How to Calm Down a Cat

A safe space can help to relieve cat anxiety when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Grab their favorite security blanket, pet bed or one of your old T-shirts. Next, find a space out of the way, like under a side-table in the home office or a quiet spot under your bedroom window. Now add the little bed and a few favorite toys and treats. Voila! You’ve created a haven for your cat to escape to during stressful moments.

If your cat’s food and litter tray are in central areas, consider moving them to a quieter location. Be sure to show your cat their safe space and the new locations of their cat food and water bowls and litter box. Let your cat come out of their haven when they’re ready. Like humans, some cats are more introverted than others, and that’s perfectly okay.

3. Use Caution on Holiday Décor and Plants

This tip can be just as much a de-stresser to cat owners as to their cats. Holiday décor and plants can bring an array of hazards for your cat, so choose unbreakable décor to avoid the risk of broken glass when your cat tries to knock it all off the table (you know they will).

Additionally, many holiday plants like poinsettias, holly and mistletoe are poisonous to pets when ingested. Try opting for fake holiday plants instead. Bonus: With a fake addition, you’ve got your plant décor covered year after year.

4. Keep to Your Routine to Reduce Cat Anxiety

Try to keep your cat’s routine in place as much as possible. Before, during and after your holiday celebrations, keep the same feeding times and designated play/walk times to avoid adding extra stress to your feline. Older cats especially cope with stress better by keeping to their set schedule.

5. Give Your Kitty a Little Extra Affection

Cats form attachments to their favorite humans, and even if they don’t show it, they crave that human touch and general human interaction and bonding. Therefore, it’s important to show your cat a little extra love before and after the festivities. Snuggling can help reduce stress and let them know these holiday celebrations were only temporary and that all is well in the home. A special treat (cat-friendly, of course) can go a long way, too.

6. Add Soothing Pheromones as Calming Aids for Your Cat

Synthetic cat pheromones found in sprays or diffuser products can relieve cat stress and anxiety. Studies show that when the synthetic pheromone is released into the air, it can mimic a variety of natural chemicals released by cats that are known to signal a safe, familiar territory. This method can also help cats with litter box issues, spraying or aggressive behavior.

Note, you’ll want to purchase pheromone sprays or diffusers at least a month before your upcoming holiday shindig. Each cat is different, so it could take as little as 2 to 4 days for them to respond to the synthetic pheromone; or it could take up to 30 days for them to feel the calming effects.

How to Tell if a Cat Is Stressed

They might not outwardly show it, but cats are sensitive beings who are affected by stress in ways that will be familiar to humans. Cat stress can lead to behavioral issues, physical concerns or emotional challenges in your cat, and the holidays are some of the most stressful times of the year. For everyone.

But the holidays aren’t the only cause of cat stress. Any changes to a cat’s environment, like the addition of dogs, other cats, other pets or a new family member, can cause cat anxiety. Cats are good at hiding their stress, but you may notice some signs of stress, like accidents outside the litter box, a change in their eating and grooming habits or them not acting like their usual self. 

Stress Relief for Cats Is Possible

We hope this list brings both you and your furry feline peace and comfort during your upcoming holidays. However, if your cat still seems stressed as you put up the holiday décor (or at any time), it might be best to call your veterinarian. Sometimes relieving cat anxiety needs a little extra help from your vet.

Is It a Good Idea to Give a Puppy as a Gift?

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Kitten Coming Out of Gift Box

For years, animal welfare organizations wagged a finger at the idea of giving a puppy as a gift. They warned that most of these puppies would be surrendered to shelters and left homeless because of impulsive gift-giving whims.

But one ASPCA study shows otherwise. In a survey of people who received pet gifts, 86 percent of those pets were still in the home, according to a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).  The gift didn’t have to be a surprise — people who knew about the gift in advance became every bit as attached to the pet. Even more remarkable, other studies showed that pets given as gifts were less likely to be relinquished than those acquired by the pet owners themselves.

That said, don’t forget that giving a puppy as a gift is essentially giving someone a lifelong family member, with lifelong responsibilities. It’s not something that’s easy to return, like an ugly sweater. Remember; it’s a pet, not just a gift puppy. Here are some tips to help you make the best decisions for person and pet when giving a puppy as a gift.

ASSUME NOTHING WHEN GIVING A PUPPY AS A GIFT

Just because someone used to have a pet doesn’t mean they want one now. Perhaps they’re still mourning their last pet and just aren’t ready yet. They may have extended travel plans. Or they may be planning on moving to an apartment or condo that isn’t pet friendly. And even though that mastiff puppy is adorable, don’t assume your grandma can handle it once it grows up.

NIX THE SURPRISE

Have an honest discussion with your friend or family member and tell them about your potential gift. Make sure they truly want a pet at this point in their lives and they have the financial means to care for it, including the budget for food, supplies and veterinary care it will need. If you’re considering a puppy as a gift for a child, it’s especially important to clear this with the parents, since they will likely shoulder much of the responsibility for the pet.

Consider your friend or family member’s lifestyle: do they have time to spend with the pet, or are they away at work for most of the day? And make sure no one in the house is allergic to pet dander.

CONSIDER A GIFT CERTIFICATE IN LIEU OF A PUPPY AS A GIFT

That way, the person can pick out their own puppy. Pets from rescues and shelters have typically received a medical exam along with any needed treatment and vaccines. They’re also usually spayed and neutered, which can reduce initial expenses for the new owner. Many rescue organizations foster new pets temporarily, so they can provide guidance on whether pets are good with kids, are amenable to living with other pets, or need patience and help with any issues.

A voucher for a reputable breeder is another option. If there’s a particular breed of puppy the person on your list prefers, work with them to find a good breeder. Reputable breeders go to great lengths to make sure their pets are healthy, free from genetic disorders and well socialized. They will also welcome you to tour their facility, so you can see for yourself that all animals receive proper care. That gives you the peace of mind that you’re not supporting a puppy mill.

A puppy supply basket can be a welcome gift. If you still want your gift to be a surprise, and you’re confident your friend or family member wants a pet, consider giving pet supplies instead. Giving supplies such as a pet bed, collar, leash, food dishes, toys, treats and grooming supplies can help allay some of the initial expenses that go with a new puppy.

With any luck, your gift can help bring years of furry companionship. And what could be a better present than that?

A new puppy text graphic with a white, tan and black puppy lying in the grass.