Here's how you can make your holiday celebrations pet-friendly

As Christmas nears, veterinarians and pet wellness experts shared their insights on how to make the celebrations pet-friendly.

According to Dr. Anne Dominique Reyes-Sy, Associate Veterinarian at Vets in Practice Animal Hospital, while most pets enjoy attention during gatherings, they also need 'options' when feeling overwhelmed. She said that the key is 'creating an environment where pets can participate but also retreat when needed.'

Here are five things that families may consider: 

• Setting up a quiet space where pets can rest
• Maintaining regular feeding and walking schedules
• Keeping fresh water available, especially during warm celebrations
• Letting pets join activities at their own pace
• Educating visitors about respecting the space of our fur babies and if there are any food restrictions

Philipp Renner, Founder and CEO of pet wellness brand Dr. Shiba, also shared practical advice for creating joyful celebrations that work for both humans and pets.

He said families may find creative ways to include their pets in festivities while respecting their comfort levels, such as having gift-opening sessions where pets can enjoy their toys and treats and being included in family photos. 

Can pets join the feast with traditional holiday foods? Experts shared some common holiday food hazards:

• Chocolate and sweets (contain theobromine, toxic to pets)
• Fatty foods like lechon skin (can cause pancreatitis)
• Bones from holiday roasts (choking hazard)
• Onions and garlic (can damage red blood cells)
• Grapes or raisins (can cause kidney damage)
• Alcoholic drinks and too much dairy (can cause gastric issues)

Fireworks

While it's fun for humans, noisy fireworks can stress fur babies. According to Dr. Sy, loud noises and strong smell can affect the pet's well being, which could potentially lead to a more serious health hazard along the way. 

How can pet owners prepare their pets for fireworks? 

• Keep pets indoors in a secure, familiar space
• Play calming music or white noise to mask firework sounds
• Consider calming aids and supplements (like Peaceful Paws), introduced well before the celebrations

As a precautionary measure for pets who might become startled and escape, ensure they have proper identification and consider GPS trackers or AirTags

Ensure that pets are properly rested and refrain from overstimulating them prior to a potentially stressful event

"For pets that show signs of anxiety, there are several calming supplements available now. I often recommend natural calming aids like Peaceful Paws to my patients who get nervous during celebrations - remember to introduce any new products well before the actual events," Renner said. 

Emergency Preparedness

Lastly, while holiday pet emergencies aren't common, Doctors noted that it's good to be prepared with:

• Your regular vet's contact information
• Location and contact details of 24/7 emergency veterinary services
• Basic pet first aid supplies
• Current photos of your pets and updated ID tags, especially if pets go outdoors

"The goal isn't to be anxious about celebrations, but to take simple precautions that let everyone enjoy the holidays safely. It is always important to remember that our pets are also part of the pawmily so we need to include them in planning for a fun and safe celebration," Dr. Reyes-Sy added.