Christmas alters our routines and also those of our furry friends. During these times, dogs and cats are (or may be) exposed to new situations, such as finding unknown guests at home, noisy gatherings, new smells, changes in the space due to Christmas decorations or more hours alone. Even some of them, adopted during the pandemic, have not had the experience of experiencing parties at home with all the fuss that they entail. Our fellow dogs and cats deserve a Christmas relaxation plan.
These are the main recommendations to minimize and positive all these changes and spend – together – a merry Christmas.
It is likely that, at some point, our dog or cat prefers to leave and get away from all the noise by going to a safe space. To make things easier for him, you can prepare a resting place that is as comfortable as possible (or dreamy), where he also has his toys, feeder and water bowl nearby. The ideal is to prepare this safe space in the place in the house where he feels most comfortable and is away from loud and unknown sounds. Cats, with the most imaginative hiding places, can find their safe place inside a closet, in a cardboard box, under our bed or sofa or in their own bed.
His refuge must be sacred, also for visitors, so it must be in a place that is easily accessible to him, but where no one can disturb him. That is why it is important to warn the little ones that when our friend disappears from our sight or is in his shelter, they should be left alone. For example, going to visit a cat when he is hiding could reduce his sense of security and make him look for another secret place where no one can find him. If when organizing the house we look for a new safe space, we must get him used to it well in advance. Without forcing it, we can attract it with a prize, toy or a pampering session.
At Christmas we decorate the house, use scented candles and modify the spaces for future celebrations. When doing so, we must think that the changes will also alter our friend, who is used to moving around the house safely and hiding and resting in his favorite places.
The key is to make sure that these changes do not affect you too much. As? Respecting their habits and incorporating them gradually, the days before any celebration, so that they get used to it. We must never forget that they must have free access to their safe space because otherwise they may become frustrated and nervous.
Furthermore, the changes are not just visual. Christmas also means that there is more noise at home than usual or that unfamiliar sounds are heard or that the smell of the house changes. Our dogs and cats, who are especially sensitive to odors, will notice this. Therefore, especially in the case of cats, it is advisable to avoid products or substances that can modify the olfactory profile of their environment. For example, you should not leave guests’ coats, with various perfumes, or candles with fragrances near where they have their things or take refuge to be calm.
If the holidays are going to alter your dog or cat’s routines, it is best to try to ensure that they have the least possible impact on their daily life and prepare for these new situations in advance. If you are not going to be there to feed him, you can use an automatic feeder or have someone you trust – yours and his – to feed him at convenient times or keep him company. The same will happen with walks: dogs should go outside at least three times a day not only so they can do their business, but because it will benefit them emotionally from both physical exercise and social interaction. Sharing that task as a family is another good option during the holidays.
If, on the other hand, we have to go to another house to celebrate and we leave our friend alone for a few hours, it is advisable to get him used to these absences, if he is not already accustomed to his daily routine. It is better to check his reaction during short periods of isolation than to leave him alone for many hours without prior “preparation.” It may also happen that, by spending a lot of time with him, he may lose the habit of staying only a few hours at home once we return to our usual schedules. For this reason, it will be advisable to get him used to spending some time during these holidays without our presence.
No one knows your dog or cat better than you. You will know well if he tolerates strangers or if he prefers not to interact with people he is not used to. Therefore, guests must be prepared so that they do not harass him or try to conquer him by giving him some portions of food from their plates. Sometimes it is better for guests to ignore our dog or cat, to act as if he were not at home, since if he feels threatened he may defend himself with growls, snorts, claws or attempted bites. If he discovers this way of protecting himself, he will use it other times when he feels threatened. In the event that a dog or cat may have a more serious problem with strangers at home, it is better that he or she not be exposed to visitors.
Sad faces, irresistible looks and touches with the paw or snout are some of the resources our dogs and cats use to demand food when we are at the table. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid temptation, but by providing them with complete and balanced foods and meeting their needs, that extra snack can not only encourage unwanted behavior, but can also give them an unnecessary excess of calories, and even cause a food indiscretion or food poisoning.
Not all the foods we eat are suitable for them. In fact, some are potentially toxic, such as chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, onions, garlic, sweets prepared with xylitol (or birch sugar), coffee, peanuts and raw foods such as the egg or the potato. Giving them grapes for the bells is also not a good idea. And the thing is serious, since these foods, consumed in sufficient quantities, can cause digestive, neurological, hematological, renal health problems and even cardiorespiratory complications that can compromise the life of the dog or cat.
In addition to the list of prohibited foods, there are other rules that we must follow: avoid giving them foods rich in fat and sweets: an excess of calories can be the first step towards overweight and pathologies such as pancreatitis and diabetes. And what about leftover food? One of the biggest dangers is bones. The small chicken ones splinter when chewed, which can cause injuries or obstructions in the digestive system. Fruit pits can also cause dangerous blockages.
We are a social and emotional reference for them, so we must convey calm and act normally. Our dog and feline companions are capable of recognizing our emotions and, in both species – although to a different degree – there is the so-called “social reference”. Surely on more than one occasion you have seen how they pay attention to your reaction before approaching or not approaching an unknown object. It has even been shown that dogs can synchronize with us on a physiological and hormonal level, both when we interact positively with them and when we experience stressful situations. This “emotional contagion” means, therefore, that if we live Christmas with anxiety, our dogs and cats can experience the same sensations.
So now you know, this holiday season, put these tips into practice and help your dog and cat feel comfortable and safe so they can also enjoy Christmas. As always, our priority must be your well-being. Merry christmas!
