Christmas is a time for celebration, family and festive fun, but for pets, it can be a season of change, noise, and unfamiliar activity. You might be staying home, hosting a full house, or heading off for the holidays, yet the festive period can pose unexpected challenges for animals who rely on routine and familiar surroundings.
Keeping your pets happy over Christmas goes beyond buying them an advent calendar or including them in the family photo. Dogs and cats both benefit from structure and stability, and the weeks around Christmas and New Year often bring disruption to both. From altered mealtimes and loud guests to long journeys or changes in care, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure your pets stay safe, healthy and happy.
If you’re based in Cheshire East, including Knutsford, Congleton, Wilmslow, Sandbach and the surrounding towns, we’ve got some great tips for supporting your pets this festive season, plus advice on what to do if you’re going away and need a helping hand.
Staying Home? Stick to a Familiar Routine
If you’re spending the Christmas break at home, your pet has the advantage of staying in a familiar environment. But even if you’re not travelling, pets can still feel unsettled by the seasonal changes around the house.
Try to keep to their normal routine as much as possible:
- Keep feeding times consistent: Avoid shifting mealtimes even if your own schedule changes
- Stick to daily walks: Dogs in particular benefit from consistent exercise to reduce restlessness
- Watch the snacks: Rich leftovers, chocolate and salty meats can all be harmful — especially to dogs
- Don’t forget playtime: Amid the festivities, take a few minutes each day for fetch, cuddles or enrichment activities
Cats may appear independent but thrive on consistency too. Changes to their feeding schedule or litter tray access can cause stress or even behavioural issues. Make sure they have access to their usual resting spots and avoid blocking off important routes with decorations or furniture.
Hosting Christmas? Help Nervous Pets Feel Secure
Whether it’s a few visitors or a full house, Christmas often brings a busier, louder home environment than usual. This can be overwhelming for some pets, especially older animals, rescue dogs, or indoor cats who aren’t used to lots of activity.
Here’s how to help them cope:
- Create a calm zone: Set up a quiet space where your pet can retreat away from the noise, ideally in a familiar room with their bed, water bowl and favourite toy
- Supervise introductions: If guests bring other pets or small children, take time to introduce them slowly and never leave them unsupervised
- Be mindful of noise: Crackling wrapping paper, party poppers and loud music can cause distress, especially for noise-sensitive dogs
- Watch the door: With people coming and going, make sure pets don’t escape or get underfoot at busy moments
It’s a good idea to let visitors know your pet’s needs in advance, particularly if they’re prone to anxiety, dislike being touched, or are reactive around new people.
Travelling for the Holidays? Plan Pet Care in Advance
Heading away for Christmas? You’re not alone – the festive season is one of the busiest times of year for travel, and many pet owners rely on boarding facilities, friends, or professional pet care services to help.
Cats are usually best cared for in their own home, where they can follow their usual routine without the stress of travel or new environments. Dogs may be more adaptable, but not every pet copes well in a kennel or unfamiliar home.
Here’s how to make sure your pet is well cared for while you’re away:
- Book early: Good sitters get booked up quickly at Christmas so don’t leave it until the last minute
- Leave a care plan: Include feeding instructions, medication, emergency contacts, and any behaviour quirks your sitter should know
- Prepare your home: Set out food, clean bowls, litter, leads, towels and anything else your sitter may need
- Keep your pet’s routine: Whether it’s two walks a day or a certain treat at bedtime, maintaining routine is key to reducing stress
If you’re using a new pet sitter for the first time, arrange a meeting in advance so they can get to know your pet and their environment. This helps build trust and ensures your pet is more relaxed when you’re away.
Common Christmas Hazards for Pets
While the holidays are a time of indulgence for humans, it’s important to remember that many festive items can be harmful to pets. Keep an eye out for:
- Chocolate and raisins: Toxic to dogs and cats
- Cooked bones: Can splinter and cause injury
- Tinsel, ribbons and string: Particularly dangerous if swallowed by curious cats
- Poinsettias, mistletoe and holly: Common decorative plants that are toxic to pets
- Candles and open flames: Keep tails and paws safely out of the way
Keep human food out of reach, and let guests know not to feed your pets table scraps, no matter how charmingly they beg.
Looking for Cat Sitting Over Christmas and New Year?
If you’re going away this festive season and want your cat to stay relaxed and well looked after, Paw Pals Cheshire East is here to help.
We offer cat sitting services throughout the Christmas and New Year period, ensuring your pet is cared for in their own home, with their usual feeding times, litter cleaning and companionship all handled by experienced, trustworthy carers.
Whether it’s a single day or an extended trip, you can rely on us to deliver consistent, professional care that keeps your cat calm and content. Contact us today to find out more or check availability.