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Beating the Holiday Blues: 5 Ways to Make Your Pet Feel Loved This Season

A cat looking outside a window sitting next to a red mug with a snowflake.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and soon your calendar will be jam-packed with holiday shopping, gift exchanges, and celebrations. With all the hustle and bustle, it can be easy for your pet to get lonely and feel forgotten. The following are five easy ways you can help your pet beat the holiday blues and make your furry friend feel loved.

1. Exercise regularly.

Walking for only 30 minutes a day can help reduce your risk of diseases, such as coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, certain cancers, and type-2 diabetes. And just like humans, pets need exercise to stay healthy, too. While walking can positively impact your pet’s weight and body condition, joint health, and digestive health, it can also affect their mental and emotional health.

Squeezing in some quality time and regularly exercising your pet will not only keep them physically healthy, but it’ll also help prevent boredom and strengthen emotional bonds.

2. Provide background noise.

If you know your pet will be alone for long periods of time, fill the silence by playing music or leaving the TV on while you’re away. This background noise will keep your dog stimulated and prevent feelings of loneliness and boredom.

You might also consider installing a doggie door. It can be uncomfortable for your pet to hold it for an extended duration, and the outdoors can also provide mental clarity and alertness.

Thinking of getting your pet a doggie door? Get great ideas for doggie doors right here.

3. Surround them with toys.

If you’re wondering how to beat the holiday blues for your pet, you might consider refreshing your pet’s toy collection. Surrounding your pet with new toys will keep them engaged and entertained while you’re busy or away. Ordinary toys can get old fast, so if you can, buy interactive toys like puzzles that will stimulate their mind for hours.

child and pet in front of gifts underneath Christmas tree

4. Get them a sibling.

Give your pet the ultimate holiday gift: a sibling. While extra pets mean extra work on your end, there are countless benefits to having multiple pets. Multiple pets provide mental and physical health benefits for their owners and each other. Some of the advantages of having more than one pet include decreased separation anxiety, stress, and boredom and increased moods and health for your dogs and cats. However, before you get your pet a companion, make sure to do research and consider different animals, breeds, and personality types.

5. Keep them socialized.

If getting another animal isn’t an option, try to keep your pet as socialized as possible. Visit parks or schedule play dates with other pets to keep them active and entertained and decrease feelings of fear and anxiety.

Our pets can help us do more than we think we can! Read “You Move Me: The Power of Pets on Family Health & Well-Being” to learn more.

While these are some great options to help your pet beat the holiday blues, if you notice new or unusual behaviors or feel like something is wrong, make sure to talk to your vet to find a solution that works best for you and your pet.

Keep Your Pets Happy & Safe This Holiday Season

Maintaining your pet's happiness is important during the holiday season. From exercising regularly to getting them a sibling, these holiday pet tips will keep your four-legged companions feeling great. Looking for more holiday pet tips? Check out our article, "Paws & Claws: Safeguarding Your Furry Friends This Festive Season."  

dog and cat in Christmas attire

FAQs

How do you keep your dog healthy?

Some tips for keeping your dog healthy include exercise, grooming, annual vet visits, proper nutrition, socialization, spay or neuter, and vaccinations.

How do you keep your cat healthy?

Similar to dogs, cat health includes regular veterinary visits, spaying and neutering, a healthy diet, a clean litter box, regular combing, and brushing a cat’s teeth.

What do pets love most?

There are some simple things you can do to keep your best friend happy, like rubbing their chest, playing music, interacting with them, caring for them, providing toys and stimulation, and being happy yourself.

How do I get my pet to bond?

You can form a closer bond with your pet by maximizing your time together, feeding them, playing with your pet, setting rules for your pet, and watching your pet’s body language and reacting appropriately.

How do I keep my pet healthy and happy while I’m away?

While you may want to be, you can’t always be available for your pet. And that’s ok! To keep your pet healthy and happy while you’re away, make their space comfortable, keep them fed and hydrated, exercise your dog or cat before you leave, and give them something to play with.