4 ways to enjoy New Year’s Eve with your companion animal
New Year’s Eve can be a fun time for both you and your furry friend! With a few small tweaks, you can have the best time possible with your fur baby, as well as your guests – here’s how.
Proximity
Don’t be afraid to have your companion animal around for the festivities, but also be aware if the noise or excitement is overwhelming them. Consider putting your fur baby in another room while people arrive and then introducing them gradually to your guests. Certain scents are also known to be calming for your furry friend, like
Treats
You’ll probably have special treats and delicacies around for you and your guests – why should your furry friend be left out? Put aside some of their favourite treats for the night. If you have extra time, maybe make your furry family member some homemade treats! Try the ASPCA’s DIY Tuna treats for cats, our highly recommended delicious doggie treats, or if you want to get really festive, these holiday-inspired treat recipes for dogs and cats. If peanut butter is one of your treat ingredients, make sure it is xylitol free, as xylitol can be toxic to animals.
Attention
We know the holidays are exciting for you and your loved ones, but make sure your fur baby doesn’t lose out in the excitement! Your dog will still need their evening walk or play as usual. If they can’t wear out some energy, your fur baby might get a little too excited around your guests. Make it a fun outing and take all your guests on the walk with you! Be sure to offer enrichment items too, like a Kong, catnip-filled toys, or even a homemade snuffle mat you can create with your family.
Countdown rules
When you’re counting down to the New Year, remember strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat’s intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy party crackers can also terrify animals and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. As midnight approaches, consider placing your furry friend in a quiet, escape-proof room where they can feel safe and avoid the noise. Check out more safety rules for the holidays from our friends at the ASPCA.
Have fun ringing in the new year and keep your companion animal safe and happy this year!