12/24/2025
The holidays can be very stressful time for everyone, including your pets. Their whole routine changes, and they have no idea what is happening as they are often put in high arousal spaces with new people and other animals. These situations can be very tough on your pets, especially some who have dysregulated nervous systems or behavioral aggression, but even the calmest animals can get overwhelmed with a lot of people coming and going. Some signs your pet is stressed involve excess panting and drooling, as well as over-grooming themselves. Licking can be a form of self-soothing but excess licking can lead to skin infections, which can add more stress to not only them, but to you as well. It is important to understand how to manage the stress for your pets, and keep everyone safe during the holidays. Trying your best to keep a routine the same, like going on walks at the same time every day and keeping their feeding schedule the same, can give your pets some regulation and keep them a little calmer. Also, making sure they have a safe space to go when they get too stressed, like a crate or their own room filled with lots of their toys or lick mats with their favorite treats to ease their frustrations. For animals that need a little more help in stressful situations and seem to get a little more aggressive towards people and other animals, making sure they have enough "happy meds" to get them through the holiday season is important! Make sure to consult your veterinarian prior to giving medication to make sure you get the correct medications best suited for your pets. Happy Holidays!!