12/12/2025
⚠️Tips to Help Your Pet Overcome Festive Season Anxiety ⚠️
1. Create a Safe Retreat
Set up a quiet room or cosy corner where your pet can hide or relax. Use familiar bedding, toys, and dim lighting to help them feel secure.
2. Keep to Their Routine
Meal times, walks, and bedtime rituals should stay as close to normal as possible. Predictability helps reduce anxiety.
3. Manage Noise With Sound Buffers
Play soft music, a fan, or white noise during loud gatherings or fireworks. Closed curtains also help block visual triggers.
4. Offer Calming Aids
Consider pheromone diffusers, calming chews, or anxiety wraps. Your vet can guide you on what’s safe and effective for your pet.
5. Give Them Space From Guests
Not all pets enjoy extra people, children, or festive chaos. Allow them to choose when they interact (no forcing cuddles.)
6. Exercise Before the Excitement
A long walk, play session, or mental enrichment earlier in the day helps burn off nervous energy.
7. Keep Hazardous Festive Items Out of Reach
Tinsel, chocolates, alcohol, certain plants, and noisy toys can add stress or even cause harm. A calm pet is also a safe pet.
8. Stay Calm Yourself
Pets mirror our emotions. A steady, gentle tone and calm behaviour from you can help them feel more secure.
9. Consider Professional Help for Severe Anxiety
If your pet shows signs like trembling, hiding for hours, destructive behaviour, or loss of appetite, chat to your vet. Short-term medication or behaviour plans may be needed.
Call the Zwartkop Animal Clinic for more advice or visit us for a consultation in more severe cases. 💚
www.zwartkopanimalclinic.co.za