Holidays with Your Pet (Part II: Home for the Holidays)

If you're hosting for the holidays this year, you already have a lot on your plate - grocery shopping, cooking, baking, preparing guest rooms, decorating, gift wrapping, and more! Its no wonder that in the midst of all you need to get done, your pets may not be your primary concern. Here are some tips to consider to keep your pets safe as your home fills with friends and family:

Guests arriving and bringing in suitcases and gifts means the door will open and close frequently. Before guests arrive, secure your pet in their crate or a room with a closed door to ensure they won't be tempted to escape while the door is open.

Once guests are settled in, introduce your pet to new faces and smells carefully. If your male pet has not yet been neutered, he may be tempted to claim new items like purses or suitcases by marking them. If your pet is excitable, he may jump up on new people to greet them. Avoid these situations by storing guests' items in bedrooms or coat closets with the door closed, and correcting your dog with a firm "Off" or "Down" if he tries to jump.

During your holiday meal, you may want to keep your dog in her crate or your cat in a separate room. Well-meaning relatives who sneak table scraps to your pet can do serious damage - fatty foods like gravy and turkey skin can cause everything from mild stomach upset resulting in diarhea, to pancratitis, resulting in vomiting, dehydration and possibly hospitalization. Sweet alcoholic drinks like eggnog are tempting to pets but can cause alcohol poisoning, which may be fatal. Chocolate, coffee and other baked goods may contain xanthines, causing nervous system or urinary system damage. Its best to keep your pet on his regular diet through the holiday, or treat him with holiday inspired pet foods or treats that are safe for him to eat.

Your overnight guests likely know you have pets, and have probably let you know if they have allergies. Ensure their comfort by creating a pet-free zone in their room. If your pet lounges on the guest bed normally, begin keeping them out of this room a week or so before your guests arrive. Wash all bedding, including comforters and pillow shams, after this room is off limits to pets. Remind your guests to close their door at night to keep your pet from visiting them in the night.

In addition to a pet-free zone for your guests, ensure your pet has a people-free zone as well. The excitement of visitors and action will wear on your pet, so providing them with a secure and familiar place to relax will keep them from becoming too stressed. For most dogs, this can be their crate - though you may want to move the crate to a quiet corner away from noise. Be sure your guests know that if your dog heads to his crate, to leave him alone. Cats may want a high perch on a shelf to keep an eye on the action from a distance, or a bed or shelf to crawl under for some peace and quiet.

A great stress reliever for both you and your pet while hosting the holidays is a nice long walk - if you need to get away from the excitement, odds are, your pet does too. This exercise in the peace and quiet of the outdoors may be just what you both need to recharge and keep your holiday spirit intact!