Creating a Stress-Free Sanctuary for Your Pets This Holiday

The holidays, especially big gatherings like Thanksgiving, are something most families look forward to. For our pets, however, holidays can feel like chaos, especially if we are hosting. Loud voices, doors opening and closing, new smells, unfamiliar faces, and more can turn a calm canine or a relaxed cat into an anxious mess. By creating a stress-free sanctuary for your pets this holiday, you can ensure your beloved companion has a safe place to retreat to when the party, guests, or conversation gets overwhelming.

Step 1: Designate the Sanctuary

A safe-haven room isn’t just a place to put your pet; it’s a place they want to be. Choose a low-traffic area, such as your bedroom, office, or a cozy guest room.

• Establish the Rules: Once the room is chosen, make sure everyone, especially children and well-meaning guests, understands this space is off-limits to humans unless cleared with you (and/or your partner) first.
• Familiar Comforts: Stock the room with their bed, blankets, water bowl, and a few favorite toys. Familiar smells help anchor pets in the space.
• Sound Dampening: Use a white noise machine, a fan, or play classical music softly to muffle the sounds of holiday merriment outside the door. Reggae music has been shown to soothe dogs, so that’s a good option as well.

Step 2: Stick to their Schedule

Consistency is key to reducing pet anxiety. While guests may disrupt your schedule, try to maintain your pet’s routine as much as possible.

• Walks & Potty Breaks: Keep morning and evening walk times exactly the same. The predictability of their bathroom schedule and physical activity is grounding.
• Meal Times: Feed your pet at their usual time, but feed them in their sanctuary space. Feeding them in there solidifies the room as a positive place.
• Exercise Before the Guests Arrive: Ensure your dog gets a vigorous walk or a solid play session before the first doorbell rings. A tired pet is much better equipped to handle stress. A pet with pent-up energy, on the other hand, is more likely to vocalize, scratch at doors, etc.

For your kitty friends, choose a safe space in a way that allows them to lounge in their favorite spots. If your cat has a favorite window perch in an open space where you’ll be entertaining, consider recreating it in a safe space using a cat tree or a window shelf.

Step 3: Use Calming Aids & Enrichment

Sometimes a cozy room isn’t enough to combat noise, unfamiliarity, and related anxiety. This is where targeted calming tools and enrichment toys come in handy.

• Pheromones: Consider using a pheromone diffuser (like Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats) in the sanctuary room. These release synthetic calming pheromones that mimic natural soothing scents.
• Enrichment Toys: Anxiety is often reduced when a pet is engaged in a focused, rewarding task. Puzzle toys, KONGs, and Licky Mats are perfect distractions. The act of licking or chewing is naturally calming. Both The Gangsta Dog in Yorktown and Petquoson carry excellent products for this purpose.
• Natural Support: Talk to your veterinarian about options like calming supplements containing herbs (e.g., chamomile, valerian root) or full-spectrum CBD oil to help take the edge off severe anxiety.

Recipe: Thanksgiving Calming Lick Mat Spread

A lick mat is a rubber mat with a textured surface designed to be spread with soft, tasty food. It can keep a stressed pet engaged and licking for 15-30 minutes, which dramatically lowers their heart rate. The safest lick mats for dogs are made from human-grade, food-grade silicone or natural rubber, which are durable, non-toxic, and easy to clean.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup plain, cooked pumpkin puree (make sure it’s 100% pumpkin, not pie filling)
• 2 tablespoons plain, non-fat Greek yogurt (check for xylitol and never use any product containing it with pets)
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped, unseasoned cooked turkey (meat only, no skin or bones)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until smooth.
2. Spread the mixture evenly and firmly into the textured surface of the lick mat.
3. For a longer distraction, freeze the prepared mat for at least 2 hours before giving it to your pet when guests arrive.

Creating a Stress-Free Sanctuary for Your Pets This Holiday

By creating a dedicated, comfortable sanctuary space, you are giving your beloved pet the gift of security this holiday season. You can celebrate knowing that while the festivities rage on, your companion is happy, safe, and calm at home.