Christmas holidays: let’s manage them in the best possible way for our animals

There is a form of transitory stress, which we will call “occasional stress”, to which dogs and cats are particularly subject due to their predisposition to ordinariness and habit.

A survey carried out online a few months ago by companies that produce famous anti-stress products such as Feliway and Adaptil highlighted the main causes of this type of stress in dogs and cats. One aspect of the research is striking: some of the conditions that cause discomfort and anxiety are rather typical of the Christmas period.

According to the survey, the major cause of stress in dogs (42.8% of responses from dog owners compared to 35% of cat owners) is made up of loud noises such as thunderstorms and bangs; in cats, this fear is overcome only by the fear of the veterinary visit (53.5% versus 28.5% in dogs).

Dogs and cats do not particularly like the presence of guests and parties at home: in this case, the discomfort is particularly widespread among cats (42.5%) but is also found among dogs (31%). Furthermore, a non-negligible fact in a holiday period, travel and travel represent a source of stress for 25% of cats and 21% of dogs.

The typical reaction of dogs is to whine, bark, or howl (47.1%), move in an unusual and agitated manner (45.7%), show aggression (27%), and hide (14.3%). In cats, however, occasional stress usually manifests itself in hiding (70.4%), doing their business outside the box (25.3%), being more aggressive (20.7%), and scratching various objects around the house (9,4%).

There is no time of year more eagerly awaited than Christmas and the marketing campaigns of recent years confirm this: compared to the past, the “anticipation” and “preparation” for the Christmas holidays already begin in autumn. But dogs and cats, emotional and habitual animals, how do they experience the holidays? And how can we make Christmas an opportunity for joy for everyone?

1. THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IS GROWING

According to various market research, during the winter holidays the propensity of owners to give gifts to their pet or from friends and relatives who, in turn, are owners of dogs and cats grows.

Clothing is one of the most widespread gifts and the reasons are different: the growing phenomenon of parentification – the humanization of pets who are increasingly considered as children, with all the excesses that derive from it – combines with the typical thematization of Christmas and cold weather.

In practice, in the pet accessories market, there is a demand for Christmas-themed clothing, to be given as gifts and to be worn during festive moments and a growing demand for outdoor winter clothing for dogs (from coats to sweaters but also, of useful accessories for those who spend holidays in the snow such as snow socks and foot creams for dogs).

Real spaces dedicated to the Christmas period are now flourishing in retail. As various industry insiders point out, in addition to the more “futile” thematic accessories, the category can also include really useful objects but with a Christmas twist.

Not only disposable clothing, therefore, but also soft and warm beds in Christmas colors; strictly themed games; Christmas leashes, collars (also tags); warm sweaters for the walk; snacks in the typical Christmas shapes and colors; panettone and pandoro for dogs and cats.

The market offers everything, combining the “desire for Christmas” with usefulness!

2. PET-FRIENDLY DECORATIONS

Let’s avoid leaving ribbons, strings, wrapping paper, sequined cards, and glitter around the house… all rather unusual and inviting objects for a pet.

Pets – especially puppies – are very curious about objects they don’t know and one of the ways they have to explore and learn about the world around them is to use their mouth: the temptation is strong but also the risk of choking themselves or getting real intestinal obstructions.

For decorations, however, we try not to use glass balls which, if they fall, will hurt the animals; let’s avoid fake snow and all salt dough ornaments that could represent a temptation with “toxic” consequences.

We carefully evaluate the wires with the lights, which if nibbled can electrocute, possibly placing them in high positions; we place the candles strategically because, even if dogs and cats are not always attracted to open flames, they can inadvertently burn the fur on their tails.

Christmas tree: in addition to avoiding glass balls and placing lights high up, we do not use laminated wire festoons because they often contain lead which, if ingested, causes intestinal obstructions.

The tree must be very stable (sometimes, pets bump into it even without intention): we use a base with a child safety system or, rather, we secure it to the wall by tying it with a thread.

3. CHRISTMAS PLANTS TO AVOID

Dogs and cats are often attracted to unfamiliar plants, perhaps rich in “inviting” berries like some typical Christmas plants.

We need to be careful because holiday plants can be really dangerous: let’s try to evaluate if our friend shows interest and place them in inaccessible areas.

The list of “beautiful but toxic” ones is long: the poinsettia with white sap that is highly stinging for the mucous membranes of the oral cavity – but also for the esophagus, stomach, intestines – of dogs and cats; holly (its red berries rich in lycine, tannins and saponins are very dangerous for the gastrointestinal system – a few dozen berries are enough to cause the dog’s death); mistletoe (one of the most dangerous plants because ingesting just a few berries can even kill a child); the yew, whose berries, often used in wreaths, cause various abdominal disorders; heather, if ingested, causes digestive, cardiac and nervous problems in dogs and cats.

The Jerusalem cherry (appreciated in decorations) has berries that contain solanine, a toxic substance for dogs and cats that causes convulsions and paralysis of the hind limbs; Amaryllis, a plant rich in the alkaloids lycorine and phenanthridine, substances that cause various abdominal disorders, tremors and hypersalivation in cats and dogs.

The fir, the classic Christmas tree, contains oils that irritate the stomach and whose needles, if ingested, can obstruct or perforate the digestive system of dogs and cats.

4. TILES FROM DINERS?

The tables set for the holidays are not just a temptation… they are a real danger! For us, the problems are related to the scale but, for dogs and cats, they could be more serious.

We must not make the common mistake of breaking the Christmas rule by offering food to our friend to help him experience the festive atmosphere.

Let’s not forget that both dogs and cats have a completely different perception of both sweet and savory foods than ours.

If we want to give him some extras, then let’s rely on the snacks on the market – during the Christmas period they usually increase in diffusion and variety, and there are also themed ones – which completely respect the nutritional characteristics of the species, at most, they will only end up making the Christmas diet is more substantial.

Let’s not forget to keep an eye on friends and relatives, who are more inclined to give uncontrolled “gifts” from the table: Pandoro and panettone – full of sugar and gluten – can cause damage, to the point of causing acute pancreatitis; Raisins and fresh grapes can cause kidney failure; chocolate contains theobromine and can cause serious neurological states with convulsive seizures; macadamia nuts, even if they are not widespread here, cause serious toxicity with hypothermia, tremors, lameness; the aromas of the Allium family (onion, garlic, shallot, leek, chives), widely used in Christmas recipes, can cause acute forms of hemolytic anemia.