{"id":4570,"date":"2024-11-26T00:20:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/?p=4570"},"modified":"2024-11-25T20:20:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T01:20:15","slug":"is-your-pet-ready-for-holiday-guests-tips-for-managing-pet-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ovrs.com\/blog\/is-your-pet-ready-for-holiday-guests-tips-for-managing-pet-stress\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Pet Ready for Holiday Guests? Tips for Managing Pet Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The holiday season is in full swing. While the season is mostly joyous, it does have its fair share of stressors for people and their pets. As you prepare your home for winter visitors, it\u2019s important to consider if your pet is ready<\/a> for holiday guests. Unexpected visitors, decorations, and even smells in the house can trigger a lot of anxiety for an animal. Luckily, we\u2019re here with some easy tips for managing pet stress<\/em><\/strong> so everyone can enjoy the holiday season:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Provide a Safe Space<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you put up your first holiday decoration, create a space just for your pet where they can go when they are feeling anxious. Set up a comfortable spot in a room that\u2019s away from where all the action will be happening. If your pet uses a kennel, place it in the room with some favorite blankets and toys. If they do not have a kennel, set up a cozy spot with a bed. Put some food and water in the room so your pet can cuddle up in there when you have guests over. On days when you have a house full of people, you might even want to play some soft music in the room to help keep your pet calm<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tire Them Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Schedule some time to let your pet expend extra energy before your guests arrive. Whether you go on an extra long walk or play fetch for a while, physical exertion helps burn off anxious feelings<\/a>. And, if your pet is tired enough, they might not have the energy to feel afraid when people come to your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slowly Introduce Them to More People<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A large part of the reason many pets feel anxious around holiday guests is because they aren\u2019t used to being around new people. You can mitigate this discomfort by slowly introducing them to more people<\/a> in the weeks leading up to the holidays. If you can, bring your pet to a few friends’ homes, check out your local dog park, or enroll in some daycare classes. The more exposure your pet has to others, the less anxiety they will feel when you have holiday guests in your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask Your Veterinarian to Help Relieve Pet Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some pets are prone to anxiety and need a little bit of extra help to overcome it. If you know that your pet is particularly anxious, you might want to talk to your veterinarian before the holidays. The vet might suggest some supplements or even medication<\/a> that can help your pet calm down enough to enjoy the holiday festivities with you and your guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Pet\u2019s Warning Signs of Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even with preparation, some pets still feel anxious when there are a lot of guests in the house. It\u2019s important to be able to recognize the signs of anxiety so you can intervene before your pet starts to feel really bad. Some signs of anxiety in pets include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n