2026-02-24
The holiday season is a time of the year most of us are impatiently waiting for, as we pair it with joy, celebration, and gathering with friends and family! Many of us host parties at home to celebrate this wonderful time. As party hosts, we tend to consider many factors to make sure that everything will be perfect and that our guests will be happy.
However, there is one very important thing to think of too: How to ensure that our beloved pets will also have a joyful and stress-free party?
Holiday parties can sometimes be stressful for our furry friends. From loud noises to crowded spaces and unfamiliar guests, holiday festivities can become overwhelming for our dogs and cats instead of bringing them joy!
However, if you are willing to do the right preparations, you can ensure that your pet will also have a great holiday party!
How to Host a Stress-Free Holiday Party for Your Pet?
Your paw friend should have a designated area at home where they can retreat if they feel stressed and overwhelmed. Choose a secluded spot at home (a cozy corner in a separate room might work perfectly), and add some toys, and plush items like clothing and blankets for a comforting effect.
Of course, you should not forget to place your pet’s supplies there too, and make sure they have easy access to them at all times. Several extra treats might encourage your furry friend to feel even more comfortable and relaxed.
It is important to inform your guests about your dog’s/cat’s separate area and politely ask them to not disturb them while they are enjoying their own time during the party.
Preparing for a holiday party can turn into a hectic hustle and bustle, and make you forget about your pet’s needs.
By maintaining your pet’s routine, i.e. feeding, walking, and playtime, you are helping them remain calm and secure, especially during the holiday season. Cats and dogs enjoy predictability due to the sense of safety it brings.
If you are a dog parent, try starting the day with their usual morning walk. Also, if you could spend a few extra minutes for a walk, this would help your canine burn off some excess energy and become even calmer throughout the rest of the day. This will be particularly helpful when the holiday party starts.
A longer walk will also help ensure your dog will have many opportunities for potty breaks, which will minimize the chance of urgent “relief walks” during the party. However, don’t forget to take regular breaks to prevent your dog from getting fatigued. And even if the party has been going for several hours, don’t skip your canine’s evening bathroom walks.
By prioritizing your pet’s routine during the holiday season, you can help them also have a pleasant and stress-free time!
Do you have to put your sportswear on and take your dog to the gym? No, you should simply give them exercise before the party, to help them spend energy. This is a good alternative to the longer walk if you do not have so much time to spend outdoors.
Physical activity not only helps expend excess energy but also promotes relaxation and a sense of well-being in pets. You should also incorporate mental stimulation into the exercise routine by playing games like fetch, hide-and-seek, and the cup game. Puzzle feeders and balls with hidden treats also offer great opportunities for your pet to use and improve their cognitive abilities. Furthermore, such games provide stimulation for their natural instincts.
Another interesting option for a fun game at home is an obstacle course! You may wonder what this is… Simply use some pieces of furniture that are easy to move, some blankets, cardboard, and any other items you have in hand to create interesting obstacle-type exercises for your pet.
For a successfully completed “obstacle course”, you should generously reward your beloved paw partner.
When exercising your pet, please make sure to adjust the type and intensity of the exercises to their health, age, and any breed-related limitations they may have.
Positive reinforcement techniques, i.e. rewarding your pet with their favorite treats, praising and petting them for displaying calm and relaxed behavior during the party, will help them associate the event with a positive experience.
You should, of course, make sure that you are not overfeeding your dog/cat, as this might cause an upset stomach.
We would recommend that you talk to your guests about your pet’s boundaries and sensitivities. Make sure they are aware of your dog’s/cat’s designated area and respect their privacy.
If setting up such an area might be difficult, and your pet will have to meet your guests, make sure the interaction between them is calm and positive. For instance, you might want to discourage sudden movements, very loud noises, rough handling, and any other verbal or non-verbal cues that might startle your dog/cat and cause stress.
Another important thing to remember is to remind your guests to not feed your pet with holiday treats, as this could be harmful to their health. This is needed, as they may not be aware of what human food is toxic for dogs and cats, nor are they likely to be aware of your pet’s specific diet and nutritional needs. Needless to say, gastrointestinal issues might occur, which are usually accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
Talking about how mindful guests should be of your pet’s food, we reach the next important point! Make sure to keep a close eye on any alcoholic beverages and holiday foods that may be toxic to pets.
You should either store them in a secure location out of your pet’s reach or obstruct your dog’s/cat’s access to them by physically placing them in a separate area at home.
Ensure that these items are stored securely out of your pet’s reach, and promptly dispose of any leftovers to prevent accidental ingestion.
Monitoring your pet during the party to make sure they are not exposed to harmful substances.
You may consider using natural calming products, such as pheromone diffusers, to help relax your pets during the party. These products will help mitigate the symptoms of stress and anxiety in your paw friend and promote a sense of calmness.
Herbal supplements containing ingredients like lavender, chamomile, valerian, passionflower, or mint, may help reduce stress and anxiety in pets. It is important to note that they should be administered in the proper dosage, which requires consultation with a veterinarian before usage.
Monitor Temperature and Noise Levels
It is recommended to supervise the temperature and noise levels in your home during the party, as extremes in either can be stressful for pets.
Make sure the area where your pet will spend the party, is dry, and not too hot or cold. It is important to ensure that the space your pet is in is well-ventilated, but it's also crucial to make sure that they are not exposed to any air currents.
Additionally, try to minimize loud music or sudden noises that could startle or frighten your paw friend.
Dogs, are sensitive creatures that can get highly attuned to their owners' emotions. With that being said, try not to act anxious or overly emotional, as that will definitely affect your service dog.
If you're stressed or anxious, your furry friend is very likely to pick up on those feelings, which, in turn, will lead to increased tension in both of you. Take breaks if needed and make sure you are relaxed and calm.
Prepare an Emergency Plan
It’s never pointless to have an emergency plan in case of unexpected situations involving your beloved paw companion.
Keep a list of emergency contacts, including your pet’s veterinarian's number and the nearest 24-hour animal hospital, readily available. Familiarize yourself with common signs of stress or illness in pets such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty moving and/or breathing, lethargy, coughing, changes in appetite, urination, etc., and know when to seek professional help if needed.
Hosting a holiday party with pets doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Remember that with some planning and consideration, you can make your holiday gathering a joyful event for both you and your paw friend.
