Ways to Make The Holidays Special for Your Senior Pet
Summer (in Australia) is around the corner which means that you may be starting to think about the festive season, and if you’re lucky, maybe even a holiday away! This is one of the best times of the year, and can be such a special time to make memories with the whole family - and our senior furry family members should be no exception!
Keeping your older pet pals in mind as the holiday season comes around can mean thinking about the little things like how to keep them comfortable and relaxed on a hectic Christmas day with the in-laws, all the way through to factoring them into your festive getaway.
Heading Away?
Who doesn’t love a holiday! Of course, one of the first questions to answer is whether the trip is suitable for your pet to come along. A change in routine and environment for an older pet may be especially confusing or overwhelming or may come with comfort issues if they struggle with mobility, vision loss or hearing loss. Or, if you’re heading overseas or an area that means you need to get a flight, it may be trickier to bring your furry friend with you! Make sure to do your research and see what is most suitable for you and your pet.
If your holiday plans sadly mean leaving your pet is staying home, make sure to plan ahead to make sure they will be well looked after and their usual routine is maintained as much as possible. This could be through enlisting the help of a family member or friend to visit them daily, or to housesit. Or it could be looking around for a trusted local kennel to house your pal while you’re gone. Don’t forget to look into doing a trial stay at the kennel before you go away, to familiarise your senior pet and ease the transition into a longer stay.
If you are able to have your pet tag along for your holiday, it is likely you will be going on a road trip! While this can be a great and practical way to holiday with your furry family members, it’s important to take into account their comfort level with the car. Particularly as they age, how they feel about being in the car for extended periods of time may change if they are experiencing heightened levels of anxiety or aches and pains. Some top tips from us are:
- Create a comfortable and safe space: This will look different for every pet, but make sure you have a set-up that means your pet can relax as much as possible, while still being safe on the road. Depending on how comfortable they are in the car, this could look like using a pet seatbelt, a crate or a harness. Consider their favourite blanket or bedding, and add some of their go-to toys to make the space even more familiar. As a bonus - a well padded area can also help with motion sickness!
- Keep an eye on the temperature: In the spirit of keeping it comfortable, make sure that you’re not just adjusting the car temperature for the humans! The holidays (in Australia!) can make for some really warm temps so make sure that you’ve got cool air reaching your pet. You could even consider a cooling mat or vest for some extra relief on a hot summer’s day.
- Take Regular Breaks: Give your furry passengers a chance to stretch their legs, go to the bathroom and get some fresh air. This can help with restlessness and anxiety, and also give relief if they feel some motion sickness.
- Praise & play: Bring along your pet’s favourite toys, treats, and chews to keep them occupied and happy. Make sure to keep the positive reinforcement up throughout the journey to keep them calm and reassured.
Staying Home?
Staycation, anyone?! There are so many ways to use the holidays as a time to make long-lasting memories with your pet pal, even if you are not heading away. Since this is often a time where people are taking a break from school or work, your pet will likely adore having their favourite people around so much more. Instant win for the holiday season!
Keen for some extra inspo? How about:
- Go on extra adventures - make the most of you likely having more free time and the beautiful weather by taking your pet on even more adventures. This could look like more frequent walks (if your senior pet can manage!) or even trips to their favourite beach or park.
- Take a festive snap - capture a moment that you will be able to treasure forever. This could either be at your local shopping centre with Santa (many have pet friendly options and toys!) or DIY at home. Don’t be afraid to get the whole family involved, and even consider a festive outfit!
- Spoil them with some holiday treats - we can all agree that one of the best parts of the festive season is all of the delicious food. Have your pets get in on the fun! We love this pet-safe recipe by Honey the Cat! Or if you’re tighter on time during the silly season, you could shop around and stock up on the likes of these Christmas doggy donuts.
- Create a chillout zone - holidays can sometimes mean a lot more socialising than usual, which can be overwhelming for everyone. Our senior pets are no exception! Particularly if your pet is ageing and may become overwhelmed more easily, having a space that is quiet, calming and comfortable can offer them a welcome reprieve when they need it throughout the holiday busyness.
Safety tip: If your pet is a leftover lover, make sure to keep your wits about you when there is different food on the menu! For example, the cooked bones in turkey or ham can splinter and cause blockages or tears in a pet's digestive tract. They can also be a choking hazard. So keep an eye out!
The holidays truly can be the most wonderful time of the year. By forward planning and thinking about little things you can do to make the festive season even more enjoyable for your pet can make the world of difference, and make for the perfect time to make special memories with your beloved pal.
