The holiday season brings a flurry of excitement, gatherings, and new experiences. However, for our dogs, these changes can be overwhelming. From bustling crowds to loud celebrations, the shift in routine and environment can result in increased stress. Fortunately, with the right strategies and support, you can make this season more enjoyable for your dog while protecting their emotional well-being.
Understanding Holiday Stressors for Dogs
Unlike humans, who may enjoy the extra activity, dogs rely on familiarity and routine to feel safe. Below are common holiday stressors and the ways in which they may impact your dog.
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Increased Visitors and Social Gatherings
During the holiday period, it’s common for homes to be filled with friends, family, and new faces. While this is a joyful experience for many, dogs — especially those unaccustomed to large groups — can become stressed. Each new person brings unfamiliar scents, voices, and energy levels that can overwhelm your pet. Dogs who are generally shy or reserved may exhibit anxiety-driven behaviours such as excessive barking, pacing, reactivity or hiding.
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Disruptions to Daily Routines
A stable daily routine helps dogs feel grounded. They often expect meals, walks, and sleep times at consistent intervals. However, with holiday shopping, family visits, and other activities, this regularity may be disrupted. A delayed walk or a skipped mealtime may not seem significant to us, but it can leave a dog feeling uneasy, which may escalate to stress if disruptions persist.
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Travel and Temporary Living Arrangements
If your holiday plans involve travel, bringing your dog to a new environment can be challenging. Unfamiliar smells, sounds, and sights, along with the discomfort of car rides or new sleeping arrangements, can stress even the most adaptable dogs. Dogs with pre-existing anxieties may experience heightened distress, leading to digestive issues, restlessness, or even refusal to eat.
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Dietary Changes and Excess Treats
Guests may offer your dog treats or table scraps, often without realising the potential impact. Overindulgence in rich or unfamiliar foods can disrupt your pet’s digestive system, leading to discomfort and irritability. Sudden dietary changes can also create a cascade of effects on behaviour, as digestive health is closely linked to mood and emotional stability.
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Fireworks and Loud Noises
New Year’s Eve is known for its fireworks and loud celebrations, which can be distressing for dogs. Dogs hear sounds at much higher frequencies than humans and can perceive fireworks as threatening. This fear response often leads to trembling, hiding, or escape attempts, all of which are distressing for both the dog and the owner.
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Environmental Changes and Holiday Decorations
Holiday decorations may add a festive spirit, but they can also introduce unfamiliar scents, lights, and objects into your dog’s space. Dogs might perceive these decorations as intruders or threats, particularly if they are sensitive to changes in their environment. Additionally, certain holiday plants, such as poinsettias and mistletoe, can be toxic if ingested.
Practical Steps to Alleviate Holiday Stress in Dogs
While it’s impossible to avoid all stressors, taking a few proactive steps can help make the season smoother for your pet.
Creating a Safe Space
Ensure your dog has access to a quiet retreat in your home. This could be a designated room or a cosy crate with their favourite blankets and toys. If your dog is crate-trained, their crate can serve as a safe haven during high-stress moments, such as when visitors arrive. Adding comforting items, such as a piece of your clothing or a familiar pillow, can provide additional reassurance. Make sure guests understand that this space is off-limits, giving your dog a reliable place to unwind.
Maintaining Routine and Consistency
As much as possible, keep your dog’s daily routine intact. If you know your schedule will be busy, consider arranging walks or meals with a pet sitter or family member to ensure consistency. Maintaining feeding times, exercise routines, and sleep schedules can provide your dog with a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. This regularity can greatly reduce feelings of stress and help them adjust more smoothly.
Managing Dietary Temptations and Guest Interactions
Politely inform guests about the importance of not feeding your dog table scraps, and prepare healthy treats that visitors can offer instead. Foods that are rich or unfamiliar can upset your dog’s digestive system, leading to discomfort and increased anxiety. Keeping a small supply of their favourite treats available allows guests to interact with your dog in a way that is safe and positive, which can also help your dog feel more comfortable around new people.
Helping with Noise Sensitivity
Prepare for noisy events by creating a calm environment. Using white noise machines, calming music, or specially designed dog music can mask sudden sounds like fireworks. If your dog is particularly noise-sensitive, consider setting up a soundproofed room or covering their crate with blankets to muffle sounds. Training exercises in the weeks leading up to the holiday season, such as gradual noise desensitisation with recorded fireworks sounds, may also help them become less reactive.
Supervision Around Decorations
Keep holiday decorations out of reach, especially fragile or hazardous items. Many decorations, such as ornaments, tinsel, and lights, can pose risks if chewed or swallowed. Allow your dog to explore new decor in a calm, supervised manner, which can help them adjust to the changes in their environment without becoming overwhelmed.
Support from CanineCeuticals: Stress-Ease and Relax
In addition to environmental adjustments, CanineCeuticals offers two natural solutions — Stress-Ease and Relax — designed to support your dog’s emotional balance and comfort during stressful periods.
Stress-Ease
Stress-Ease is a targeted herbal blend that provides calming support for dogs experiencing heightened stress. It combines the power of several herbs, all of which have a long history in traditional medicine for their calming and adaptogenic properties.
- Bacopa: Known for its ability to improve mental clarity, Bacopa also helps reduce cortisol levels, a stress hormone, allowing dogs to remain calm during overwhelming situations.
- Ashwagandha (Withania): A potent adaptogen, Ashwagandha supports the adrenal glands and balances cortisol production, helping dogs handle prolonged or intense stress without feeling drained.
- Passionflower: Widely recognised for its calming properties, Passionflower can alleviate nervous energy and overexcitability, making it ideal for dogs who struggle with social gatherings or disruptions in routine.
- Skullcap: A traditional nerve tonic and mild sedative, Skullcap supports relaxation and soothes nervous tension.
- Rhodiola: An adaptogenic herb known to enhance resilience to stress, improve mood, and support cognitive function by reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation in the nervous system.
- Californian poppy: Traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to calm nerves, promote deep sleep and reduce nervous tension and anxiety.
With regular use, Stress-Ease can:
- Alleviate nervous energy and excitability.
- Encourage restful sleep patterns.
- Soothe gastrointestinal upsets linked to stress
Dosage and Use: Stress-Ease is best given with food, adjusting the dose according to your dog’s weight. Begin with a low dose to monitor your dog’s response, then gradually increase as needed. Once you’re confident that Stress-Ease suits your dog, it can be administered as needed, ideally beginning a day or two before any anticipated stressful event.
Relax
Relax is a unique blend of plant-based terpenes that interact with the endocannabinoid system, supporting emotional balance. These terpenes, which include Myrcene, D-limonene, and Linalool, are derived from plants known for their calming effects on the nervous system.
- Myrcene: This terpene has muscle relaxant and sedative properties, helping dogs relax physically and mentally, particularly when overstimulated.
- D-limonene: Derived from citrus, D-limonene has both anti-anxiety and mood-enhancing properties, which make it effective for dogs dealing with loud noises or new environments.
- Linalool: Known for its floral scent and presence in lavender, Linalool promotes relaxation and can help dogs manage stress without sedation.
Benefits of Relax include:
- A calm, balanced demeanour, helping dogs navigate high-stress moments.
- Reduced anxiety, especially when exposed to new stimuli or environmental changes.
- Enhanced mood stability and relaxation, aiding in emotional resilience.
Dosage and Use: Begin with 1-2 drops of Relax, gradually increasing the dose as needed, following label directions. Starting with a low dose allows your dog to adjust to the taste, and some may find a lower amount effective. For best results, administer Relax daily. It may take a few weeks to see noticeable improvements in behaviour, so it’s ideal to start before the holiday season kicks in!
Stress-Ease and Relax can be used individually or combined, depending on your dogs’ needs.
Conclusion: Peace of Mind for You and Your Dog
The holiday season should be a time of joy for both you and your pet. While it brings new experiences, it’s natural for dogs to feel overwhelmed. By proactively addressing their needs and supporting their emotional well-being with natural products like Stress-Ease and Relax, you can help your dog enjoy the season with you.
These CanineCeuticals supplements offer safe, evidence-based solutions, allowing your dog to feel calm, balanced, and supported. If your dog has severe or persistent anxiety, consult your veterinarian for additional advice on creating a tailored approach to their care. This festive season, make it a priority to keep your pet’s comfort and happiness in mind — ensuring they enjoy the festivities as much as you do.
