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Let's look at the Holidays from you pets point of view for just a
moment:
Excitement is in the Air !!! And your pet feels this excitement
very intensely. Emotions are easily picked up by animals. As
family members gather and new arrivals, both human and animal,
congregate, there is much for your pets to absorb. Each new
person or animal must be placed in some sort of order before your
pet will feel comfortable. When there are several arrivals in a
short time, this often causes a short-circuit in your normally
calm pet's brain. Visiting friends and
relatives often forget that they are not considered family
members by our pets and may expect to be greeted with the same
joy and acceptance that your pet gives you right from the start
of their visit. They may expect your pet to change behaviors
while they are visiting. Realize that your pets are like your
children. They should be given respect and have time to warm up
to new people just as you and your children do. Do not allow
others to make the rules in your home and for your pets. Most
people will understand if you explain the rules and ask them to
let your pet get to know them in a relaxed manner.
Loneliness: Holidays mean being gone from home quite a bit more
than usual. Parties, shopping, and visiting all take time away
from your pet. The natural order of your life is disrupted
somewhat even though it is a happy disruption. While you are gone
your pet often feels left out, depressed or fearful at the change
in your patterns, and also there is often a jealousy at being
left out. So guess what! Revenge! Tear up a bit, have an accident
in the house and enjoy watching you go nuts when you get
home."There! That will show them!" Try to spend some extra time
with your pet and realize how lonely it is when you are so busy.
Take time to let your pet know how much you love her. Then leave
in a happy spirit and don't feel guilty for going. If you feel
bad then your pet worries. Try to leave the home in a calm
manner. What if you will be away for a week or so? Remember,
these animal companions are living creatures and things can
happen. Never leave your pet "Home Alone" for extended periods of
time. Accidents, toenails caught in carpets, a sudden illness -
many things can be fatal to our pets when no one is checking on
them for long periods of time. Have a friend or family member
drop by once a day or at the very least, every two days, just to
check on them. Make sure their food and water bowls are full,
kitty box or piddle papers are clean, that they are feeling ok.
It only takes a few minutes and it could save their lives. Make
sure your friend knows who your veterinarian is and has the phone
number handy. Tell your vet you will be out of town and give your
friend a letter so the vet will care for your pet in your
absence. Also remember to bring a little something home for both
caretaker and pet. Another thing to do to help with the stress of
you leaving - wear an old t-shirt all day before you leave. Leave
this on the place your pet sleeps. Its like a love note from you
to remind your pet you will be home soon. If you are going to be
gone more than a week, wear one t-shirt each day for 2 days. Put
one in a closed plastic bag and have your friend who is checking
on your pet take it out about 1/2 way through your vacation. A
fresh note from you. Make sure when you are wearing these shirts
that you are happy. You want happy notes for your pet.
New Sights, Smells and Bright Packages!!!
And when you come home, you bring emotionally packed smells and
thoughts. Packages arrive in bright wrappings! Mistletoe (has
poisonous berries), Decorations are often breakable and
dangerous, Delightful munchies are left on low tables! What is a
pet to do? These things must be examined by your pet and set in a
proper place in his world. Many times this means examining by
disassembling, chewing, tearing, tasting and several other
methods NOT considered very scientific to humans. Many people try
to make up for being gone with new toys for their pet. This just
causes frustration and you build a Brat. Keep packages put away
until you can explain and train your pet to leave them alone.
Make sure great smelling treats are out of harms way, And you
know who harm is, don't you? Exercise your pet and find time to
play with him with his toys, not the wrapping ribbon or gift
paper. If you allow your pet to play with the ribbon when you are
home and encouraging this act, your pet will seek out the same
game when you are gone and he is bored or lonely. And this time
it most likely will be tied around a gift that you wrapped.
OOOPPS!
Caution on Treats and Candy:
Candy can make your pet extremely sick. Chocolate can kill pets.
The sugar in all candy causes behavior problems that can be
dangerous. Candles entice cats and other pets to play with them.
Live flames are obvious hazards but even more so with pets or
small children around. Keep candles away from your pets.
Over-eating is a real danger because it happens so innocently.
Each person only gives one tiny treat to your charming pet and
you end up with a very sick little friend. Try to keep your pets
away from the table.
If you have an animal that is frightened of strangers, please
realize they could be a danger to themselves and others. Place
them in a safe place, put on calming music and do not expose them
to any trauma. Continue to work with your pets, socialize them
and give them chances to learn in positive ways that new people,
animals and things can be fun and not fearful. Until you can feel
complete confidence in their ability to respond in a positive way
you should continue to work with this problem.
Ask these questions:
Does my pet get enough exercise?
Does my pet accept me as the Leader?
How do I react to the problem? Am I encouraging the behavior by
being overly unsure, demanding or concerned?
You may need to seek professional help from an Animal Psychologist such as myself, - be patient and try to work this problem through.
