5 ways to prepare your pets for the festive season

December may still be weeks away, but if you have pets, now is the time to start planning for the holidays. From booking pet-friendly accommodation or a trusted sitter to preparing anxious animals for fireworks, a little forward planning can help keep your four-legged family members safe and comfortable during the festive season.

Dr Karien Brink, a veterinarian at Hill’s Pet Nutrition, says the holidays can bring several changes that pets may find stressful, including visitors, travel, boarding and unfamiliar surroundings. Fireworks and other loud noises can add to the pressure, particularly around Guy Fawkes and New Year’s Eve.

Here are five ways to get your pets ready before the festive season begins.

If your pet will be staying at a boarding kennel or with a pet sitter while you are away, arrange their care well in advance. Popular facilities and trusted sitters can fill up quickly over the festive season, so leaving it until December could limit your options.

Check the vaccination requirements and health documentation needed by your chosen facility, and make sure everything is up to date. If your pet needs a veterinary check-up, vaccinations or repeat medication before your trip, book these appointments ahead of the year-end rush.

For pets that struggle with loud noises or changes to their surroundings, the stressful season can start well before Christmas. Guy Fawkes on 5 November often marks the beginning of the fireworks period, followed by holiday travel, visitors, boarding and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Knowing what to look for can help you identify when your pet is feeling anxious. Signs of stress may include hiding, pacing, trembling, excessive vocalisation, destructive behaviour or becoming unusually clingy or withdrawn.

Some pets also show physical symptoms, such as changes in appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea or altered urinary habits. If these symptoms are persistent or unusual, consult your veterinarian rather than assuming stress is the cause.

“If you already know your pet struggles at this time of year, don’t wait for the first stressful event before thinking about how you can support them,” says Brink.

Nutrition may form part of a broader stress-management plan for some animals. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Stress Mini for dogs and GI Biome Stress for cats are formulated to help manage stress-related digestive upsets. Prescription Diet c/d Multicare Stress for cats supports urinary health while helping to manage stress.

Brink advises that if a veterinarian recommends a stress-support diet, the transition should ideally begin around three to four weeks before an anticipated stressful event. This gives your pet time to adjust to the new food. Follow your veterinarian’s advice on whether a specialised diet is appropriate for your animal.

A stay at a boarding kennel means a change of environment, so keeping other aspects of your pet’s routine familiar can help make the transition easier.

Pack enough of their usual food for the entire stay, along with clear feeding instructions and details of any medication they need. Check with the facility beforehand to find out whether you can send a familiar blanket, bed or toy from home. Familiar scents may help some pets settle into their temporary surroundings.

Let the staff know about your pet’s usual routine, temperament, dietary needs and any health concerns. The more they know about your pet, the better equipped they will be to care for them.

Travelling with your pet requires a little extra preparation. Before booking, confirm that your accommodation accepts animals and check any rules around pet sizes, access to shared spaces and supervision.

Make sure your pet’s identification details are current, including their microchip registration where applicable. Pack any medication they need, along with enough of their regular food for the duration of your trip.

Try to maintain familiar feeding times and routines as far as possible, even when you are away from home. During car journeys, use an appropriate restraint or secure travel carrier to keep your pet safe. Never leave an animal unattended in a parked car, particularly in warm weather.

Whether you are staying at home or travelling over the holidays, make a plan for Guy Fawkes and New Year’s Eve before the first fireworks go off.

Set up a quiet, secure area where your pet can retreat if the noise becomes overwhelming. Close windows and curtains to reduce noise and flashes of light, and consider playing familiar background sounds at a comfortable volume.

Check that gates, doors and windows are secure, and make sure your pet’s identification details are up to date. Even animals that have never tried to escape may bolt when frightened, so take extra care when visitors are coming and going.

If your pet has a history of severe noise-related anxiety, speak to your veterinarian well before the festive season about suitable ways to manage it. Avoid waiting until the fireworks start to seek advice.

“The festive season should be enjoyable for the whole family, including our pets,” says Brink. “A little preparation now can make an enormous difference. Book the care they need, speak to your vet if you know they struggle with stress, and put a plan in place before the busy season arrives.”

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