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How to Prepare for the Holiday Season so You Can Safely Enjoy the Festivities with Your Pet

How to Prepare for the Holiday Season so You Can Safely Enjoy the Festivities with Your Pet

After the year we’ve all experienced, we’re looking forward to having some fun this holiday season. Whether or not you’ll be getting together with extended family, the holidays are a nice time to celebrate our relationships, and that includes the ones we have with our pets. Once you’ve taken a few precautions to set the stage for a safe but festive winter season, you can rest easy knowing there’s nothing left to do but enjoy it.

Prepare for cold weather

 

If you live in a part of the world where the holidays often bring cold and icy weather, you’ll want to start here:

  • De-icing: Pick up a biodegradable, fast-acting, pet-friendly ice melter to help protect your pets from ice that accumulates outside and can lead to slips and falls, not to mention chilled paws.
  • Figure out a new outdoor schedule: You and your pet might be at the mercy of the weather when it comes to winter outdoor play and potty schedules. Some pets simply don’t like the cold weather, but being outside for sustained periods of time in freezing temperatures isn’t good for any pet anyway. If your schedule allows, consider shifting your outdoor times to when it’s warmest. Limit the duration of your sessions, too, particularly when it’s snowy or icy.
  • Switch up their entertainment routine: Since you’ll likely be spending more time inside, consider purchasing some boredom-buster toys—like puzzle toys and interactive games—that can help keep your pet mentally stimulated while also helping them to release pent-up energy.

As winter approaches, read up on cold weather pet concerns like signs of hypothermia and frostbite and when they need to just stay inside and avoid the outdoors altogether.

Kong puzzle toy at petco

Get the right pet gear

 

Your pet will need appropriate winter wear even if you plan to limit their outdoor time. Consider:

  • Booties and paw protection: Your pet’s paws are especially susceptible to discomfort in the cold and snow. Faux-fur lined boots provide durable protection with a warm and water-resistant barrier while rubber boots are a good year-round option since they perform well on ice and snow as well as hot pavement and sand.
  • Sweaters and jackets: Like humans, pets can get cold too, especially if they’re a smaller breed or have a short coat. Keep your dog comfy and cozy with a classic, lightweight dog coat or pick up a faux-fur trim flannel for the dog with a little extra style. Don’t forget about your cat. Even those who are strictly indoors have been known to appreciate a warm sweater on a cold day.
  • Blankets, heating pads or a new bed: After ensuring your pet has the gear to stay warm outdoors, shift gears and think about what might help keep them toasty while relaxing inside on cold and blustery days. Self-warming pet beds, for example, are an easy way to help make nap times cozier for cats and dogs, as can extra blankets and heating pads.
PAWZ rubber booties for dogs

Schedule their grooming session

Proper grooming is essential year-round since it can help prevent matting, overgrown nails, dental problems and more. Remember that a change in weather often brings about a change in your pet’s coat. Bonus: keeping up to date with your pet’s winter grooming—at home or in a salon—not only helps them feel great during the holiday celebrations but also means they’ll be camera ready for all your  family photos!

Check out this guide for conducting a holiday pet photo session from the comfort of your own home.

Revisit their training

The holidays are a festive time, but they can also be a source of stress for your pet. That’s why it’s extra important to ensure they’ve had proper training. Knowing the basics of good behavior can help keep your pet from stealing potentially harmful table scraps and help everyone feel more secure among holiday visitors.

Training sessions are also a great way to help keep your pet mentally stimulated indoors. Luckily, Petco offers virtual dog training courses, which means all of this can be done without ever having to leave your home.

Assess your need for travel gear

If you’re planning any  adventures this holiday season, make sure you have all the necessary pet travel gear before you head out the door. Depending on how you’ll be getting to your final destination, travel safety items to consider include:

  • Travel carriers: Pet carriers come in many forms—from strollers to shoulder bags—and they’re helpful for all types of travel, from land to air.
  • Car seats and harnesses: If you’ll be traveling by car, the best way to keep your pet safe during the journey is to invest in the proper car seat or seat belt. These help keep your pet safely buckled in to avoid jostling and rolling about and help pets from getting between you and the wheel as well.

Other pet travel essentials for their comfort include collapsible silicone travel bowls, travel pens and travel beds.

Dog car booster seat

Consider calming solutions

You may feel prepped and ready for a festive holiday season, but that doesn’t guarantee it’ll be stress-free for you or your pet. Keep in mind that changing up your pet’s routine is inherently taxing on them, but calming products like soft chews, diffuser kits and calming collars may help. If you’re worried about introducing any new products to your pet, ask your veterinarian for advice.

Decorate safely

Pulling out the holiday décor is one of the best parts of the festive season, but remember that bits and baubles can be dangerous for our pets, as can certain plants and holiday foods.

In terms of winter holiday decoration safety, keep breakable decorations out of the reach of pets. Also  keep in mind that trees can be a hazard, as well, so you might want to set those up in a room where your pets have restricted access or don’t often visit. Avoid tinsel, string and ribbon, which can lead to a digestive emergency if swallowed.

Once you’ve done your pet proofing for the holidays, you can focus on relaxing and enjoying the season. This is a great time to have some festive fun with our pets. With a little forethought, we can do it all safely. Petco has everything you’ll need to get your holiday season started off right.

 

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