Christmas is a time for many to celebrate the seasonal festivities with friends and family plus good food and gifts, and beloved family pets are included in many of the Christmas traditions of the households that they live in. It is important to remember how each individual pet might respond to the change of routine over Christmas and consider their individual personalities and behavioural needs at this busy time of year. How will they respond to the change to their routine and the disruption caused by unfamiliar arrivals to their home? The other key concern about Christmas and pets revolves around food-based treats. Human food might seem like the perfect festive reward for your favourite animal friend but there can be unexpected or dangerous consequences if animals overindulge on the wrong types of food.
There’s no Scrooge-like “Bah humbug” behind the content of this article. Nor should it take the fun out of the festive season. It aims to give veterinary professionals a gentle reminder of things pet owners may need to be aware of to help make arrangements relaxed and stress-free for their pets over Christmas and New Year.
Monitoring a pet’s behaviour is key
Pet owners know their animals well and this information is important at potentially busy and unusual times of the year. Knowing what their pet looks like when stressed or uncomfortable and reading their body language to understand how they feel around new or unfamiliar animals and people can help create a stress-free environment for all. This information can also help decide how to manage a pet over Christmas. Does he or she stay in their family home during the Christmas period? Or is it kinder to move them to a quieter setting, perhaps with a well-known friend or relative, while the busiest periods of the Christmas season are occurring?
A busy environment brings new noise, lights and smells
It is important to think about how changes to noise and light levels might affect pets, and not just cats and dogs. Aquarium fish housed in a busy room in the house where a party might be happening will be subject to stress caused by loud noise travelling as vibrations through the water column. Changes to lighting will also affect fish behaviour as sudden bright lights or illuminations can be a psychological shock if happening unpredictably.
It is important to think about how changes to noise and light levels might affect pets, and not just cats and dogs
Pet birds should be covered or moved to a different room if a social gathering is going on until late. Disruption of regular roosting habits can lead to stress-related behaviours such as feather picking or repetitive perch-to-perch hopping.
As prey species, small rodents (such as hamsters, gerbils, rats or mice) are often startled by loud noises, sudden movements and bright lights. Avoid extra handling associated with visitors wishing to all “say hello” at the same time. Nobody wants to get bitten by an upset or anxious hamster.
If smokers are coming into your house, this will be a new sensory experience for your pets. Particles from tobacco smoke can be irritant to the air sacs of birds, influence the quality of air pumped into aquariums (via air pumps for example) and cause over-grooming of cats or dogs due to the smell on their fur.
Particles from tobacco smoke can be irritant to the air sacs of birds, influence the quality of air pumped into aquariums … and cause over-grooming of cats or dogs
Create quiet areas for pets away from disruptions
Consider providing multiple areas for resting and relaxation in quieter areas of the house. Make these no-go areas for other people, so that the animal knows that when he or she is in their bed or hidey-hole they will not be disturbed. Unwanted or perceived aggression over toys or space may be the animal feeling protective over its valued resources in a household that has suddenly become busier than normal.
Toxic foods
Many of the ingredients commonly around at Christmas can be very dangerous if consumed by a family dog or cat, but also by less common pets such as parrots and hamsters. Numerous species-specific guides to toxic foods are available for owners to check before any inappropriate foods are given as treats.
Numerous species-specific guides to toxic foods are available for owners to check before any inappropriate foods are given as treats
Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, the artificial sweetener xylitol, raw bread dough, blue cheese and alcohol should never be given to dogs. Cats should not eat avocado, onions, nuts or too much sugar or salt. Avoid giving a pet dog or cat turkey (or other poultry) bones to chew on and eat, as these can splinter easily and can cause tears, blockages or ruptures of the gastrointestinal tract. Raw bones are also to be avoided as bacterial growth, and spoilage of any meat, can lead to gastric illnesses.
Honey- or sugar-coated treats for rodents and parrots should also be given sparingly. Too many highly calorific foods with limited opportunities for exercise can cause weight gain and obesity. Keep a regular check on food storing behaviours that species such as hamsters will perform, and remove uneaten food before it spoils.
Other considerations
Check the pots and pans that you use for cooking and move pet birds away from emissions out of the kitchen. Irritants from cooking can build up on plumage affecting feather condition, or too much steam or smoke can be irritant to the bird’s upper respiratory tract, and some emissions from pots and pans (such as the gases emitted from over-heated Teflon-coated pans) are deadly.
If you are given flowers over Christmas, remember that lily pollen is toxic to cats, causing kidney failure. Lilies can emit a sweet perfume, which some cats seem drawn to. Removing the stamens (and the pollen) if you get such flowers as a present is the best course of action.
Importance of routine
It is important to keep to a regular routine even over Christmas. Feed at the normal times of the day, go for walks (with your dog) and let your cat out as per the regular routine. Don’t spend less time with your animals even though you are busier over Christmas
It is important to keep to a regular routine even over Christmas. Feed at the normal times of the day, go for walks (with your dog) and let your cat out as per the regular routine. Don’t spend less time with your animals even though you are busier over Christmas – they will recognise any change in your interactions with them and this may be stressful. Predictability and routine are the best ways of ensuring that your pets continue to enjoy the festive season. Consider using pet pheromone diffusers to calm anxious cats or dogs if needed over the Christmas period (using before, during and after any upheaval or change to routine).
