Maintaining your pet's stress during the holidays – KIIITV.com

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As December begins, it is time for the rollercoaster of holidays to take over. Whether you are hosting guests or visiting family and friends, there is a chance you will encounter a pet.
With guests visiting a pet’s home, the furry friend may become overwhelmed and stressed. 
There are several different tips for you to follow if you are planning on visiting homes with a furry companion or having people over with your pets.
First, if you are the one expecting guests in your home, you may want to prepare your pet. The American Kennel Club suggests the following:
The website Dog Training Nation also has some recommendations for guests, so you don’t overwhelm your host’s pets.
Dogs are not the only ones who can stress out when it comes to having company. Cats can also get anxiety from the sudden influx of guests. Animal Wellness Magazine suggests looking at the holidays from the pet’s perspective. Animals do not easily grasp why company is present, why there may be sudden decorations that possibly change their environment. For cats, the story is no different. For the cats who are stressed, make sure you have a room available for them to hide. Most cats are not fans of attention, or what they see as strangers, who try to pick them up.
Animal Wellness Magazine recommends the following for cat owners, who are expecting guests.
They also suggest using caution when it comes to children. Make sure they do not chase or pick up your cat. When they arrive, take a few minutes to show them how to properly greet your feline friend. Not all pets get anxiety when guests come over. There are some who are social butterflies. According to Pawsome Cats, there is still a chance the social cats would need a safe space.
If you and your guests are planning on having a big dinner, make sure they do not give your pets any scraps. Even though the food may taste delicious to us, it can make your pets sick or even become fatal.
You may also want to be aware of any holiday decorations that may be within reach of your pet. The FDA recommends keeping tinsel and ribbons, salt-dough ornaments, holiday plants, and food and snack bags away from your cats and dogs. If they get ahold of these items, your four-legged friend could get sick and require an emergency trip to the vet. Cats may also want to grab ahold of some of those items. Hills Pet says Poinsettias, Pine trees, Mistletoe and Holly can be fatal to cats.
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