Keep pets settled during busy holidays

Holidays break every routine an animal relies on: meals move, the house fills with strangers, the front door opens constantly and someone always drops something. Pets do not find this festive. A little planning keeps the whole period uneventful.

Protect the timings

Feed and walk at the usual times even when nothing else in the day is usual. Meal timing is one of the strongest anchors an animal has, and holding it steady absorbs a surprising amount of disruption elsewhere. If the day is going to be chaotic, walk early rather than late. A dog that has already been out copes far better with a full sitting room.

One room that is off limits

• Set up a quiet room with the bed, water, litter tray if relevant, and something to chew or lick.
• Tell guests it is out of bounds, and mean it. A closed door with a note works better than a request.
• Put the animal there before the noise starts, not after it has already become anxious.
• Leave background sound on, and check in yourself every so often rather than sending children.

Food hazards

Chocolate, raisins, sultanas, onions, macadamia nuts, alcohol and anything sweetened with xylitol are all toxic to dogs, and several are toxic to cats. Cooked bones splinter. Rich leftovers cause pancreatitis, which is a serious illness and not simply an upset stomach. Brief your guests, keep plates off low tables, and put the bin somewhere with a door on it.

The pet does not need to meet everyone. Nobody has ever regretted keeping the dog out of the kitchen on Christmas Day.

Guests and children

Let the animal approach people rather than the reverse, and do not allow anyone to disturb it in its bed or while it is eating. Children should be supervised throughout, without exception. If you know your pet finds visitors stressful, talk to your vet well in advance about options. That conversation is far more useful in November than on the day.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something it should not have, ring your vet or the out-of-hours service immediately and do not wait for symptoms. Take the packaging with you.