Preparing your pets for the festive season

1. Book your December pet care early

If your pet will be staying at a boarding kennel or with a pet sitter over the holidays, now is the time to secure their spot.

Popular facilities and trusted pet sitters can fill up well ahead of December. Check what vaccinations or health documentation your chosen kennel requires and make sure these are up to date. If your pet needs a vet check-up, vaccinations or repeat medication before you leave, schedule these ahead of the year-end rush too.

2. Start preparing for festive season stress before the festivities

For pets who are sensitive to loud noises or changes in their environment, the stressful period can begin well before Christmas. Guy Fawkes on 5 November can mark the start of the fireworks season, followed by holiday travel, visitors, boarding and, eventually, New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Signs of stress vary between pets and may include hiding, pacing, trembling, excessive vocalisation, destructive behaviour or becoming unusually clingy or withdrawn.

Stress can also show up physically, including changes in appetite, vomiting or diarrhoea, or changes in urinary habits such as urinating more frequently or having accidents in the home.

“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.

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3. Make boarding feel as familiar as possible

Going into kennels is already a significant change in environment, so try to keep other aspects of your pet’s routine familiar. Send enough of their usual food for the full stay, together with clear feeding and medication instructions. Where permitted, a familiar blanket, bed or toy carrying the scent of home may also help them settle into their temporary environment.

4. Plan if your pet is travelling with you

Taking your pet on holiday requires some preparation of its own.

Confirm your accommodation’s pet requirements, make sure identification and microchip details are current, pack any medication and take enough of your pet’s regular food for the entire holiday. Try to keep feeding times and other elements of their normal routine as consistent as possible, and always make sure pets are safely restrained during car journeys.

5. Have a plan for fireworks before you hear the first bang

Whether you are travelling or staying home, plan for Guy Fawkes and New Year’s Eve. Create a quiet, secure space where your pet can retreat, close windows and curtains to help reduce noise and flashes and use familiar background sound where appropriate.

Most importantly, check that gates, doors and windows are secure and that your pet’s identification details are up to date. A frightened animal may behave unpredictably or try to escape, even if they have never done so before.

“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.”