Having holiday get-togethers at your house can be stressful, if you don't consider how to care for Fido in the midst of the holiday visitors. If your pet gets nervous around big crowds, you might want to set aside a quiet, private space just for him in your home. You also have to consider relatives with particular allergies, and those that just aren't "animal people." Here's how to encourage calm, sensible, and enjoyable interactions between your pets and your holiday visitors. Don't forget it's also important to know when the best interaction is no interaction at all.
Forget "Love Me, Love My pet"
As much as your pets might be members of the family, where visitors are concerned, it's smart to consider them more as "preferences" - like "smoking" or "nonsmoking," or country music versus jazz. Some people simply do not like cats, dogs, or little things that resemble rats (even though they're hamsters, for heaven's sake). It has nothing to do with the person's feelings for you, so don't take it personally if someone doesn't want anything to do with your beloved friend.
Fluffy Shouldn't Fight Your Battles
Never use your pet to get back at another person. Say you still resent Aunt Margaret for calling you fat as a child, and you know that she hates having cats jump in her lap. Don't get even when she visits by letting Fluffy hop up to say hello.
But My Owner Thought That Was So Cute
Never knowingly place pets in situations in which they are likely to annoy human visitors. Pets don't need enemies any more than you do, and they'll get confused when a behavior that always charms you, such as touching noses, draws a startled yelp from a new human acquaintance.
How Long Should You Keep Your Pet Cloistered?
When you're expecting visitors for only an hour or an evening, go out of your way to accommodate those with allergies or those who don't appreciate pets as much as you do. Place the cat in the laundry room for the duration, for example, or allow the dog only a brief introduction before a neighborhood child whisks him out to the backyard for an afternoon of play.
If your friend is planning an overnight visit or a stay of a couple weeks, you can't be as easygoing, or the entire household will be miserable. Either board your animal with a fun-loving friend or reputable kennel, ask a non-pet-owning relative to put the human visitor up, or offer to split the cost of a hotel room.
Everybody Comfy?
Be firm about your feeling that you must try to make both your pet and your guest happy. Don't let anyone minimize your feelings for your pet with remarks such as "Couldn't you get rid of all your cats while we're here for the holidays?" Simply reply, "You are a dear friend (or relative), and I simply couldn't bear it if your feelings about my animal got in the way of our having a wonderful visit. It would just be a waste of all the time and effort we've put into planning this."
This Is a Safe House
Demand that your pet be treated with respect in your home. It's completely within bounds for you to insist that visitors refrain from squeezing, teasing, or thumping your pet -- no matter whether the visitor is your three-year-old neighbor or an overzealous family member. Simply say "That really bothers Marmaduke, so he'll be going to his space over here now."
When the Guest Is a Youngster
When a child under the age of 12 comes to your home, take the lead in acquainting her with the resident pets. Introduce them and spell out any restrictions to the child, within the parent's hearing: "This is where my newts live, and I'm the only one allowed to touch the glass."
You may give fanciful explanations for why a pet requires certain treatment, but for the under-eight crowd, keep it to a few words: "Binky is shy. We can't chase him."
The Pet Pajama Party
Warn overnight guests of any animal idiosyncrasies and how to deal with them: "The cat will come sleep on your bed if you don't keep the guest room door shut." "The hamster loves to run on his wheel at night. I've put him in the kitchen so he won't disturb you, but if you hear a noise, that's probably it." Or "Billy usually sleeps in here, so the dog might scratch on the door in the morning. Just say 'Go away, Bowser."
Do You Think We Should Get Out the Good China?
Take pains not to repulse dinner or overnight guests by letting your pets eat off the dishes after a meal. If you're not worried about your company's sensitivity, consider that roundworms can be passed from the pet's mouth to humans via the dishwasher (although you can easily determine whether your pet has roundworms with a trip to the vet).
Forewarned About Four Paws
When you invite someone to your home, make certain that person knows that your pet will be on the premises. Even people you've known for a long time may not remember that you have a dog or cat. So be explicit: "We're glad to have the family here for the holidays, but you should know that we have three poodles and two cats that are definitely indoor animals."
It Can't Hurt to Ask
Ask point-blank, ahead of time, "Are you a cat (dog) lover?" and "Do you have any allergies to animals?" That way, you'll know what you're dealing with and can choose to relocate your holiday festivities if the negative reaction is significant.
Dress Accordingly
Remind potential guests that your pets, and your furniture, are riddled with dog or cat hair, if that is the case. If they don't have the same problem at home, caution them to avoid wearing dark colors or wool.
Your Dog and Scaredy-Cats
Most adults won't come right out and say that they're scared of dogs, so be on the lookout for signs that a visitor is wary, jumpy, or nervous around your animal. Be careful to keep your dog away from the tension before he picks up on it and gets defensive, protective or confused.
You Know He's Innocent, Avoid the Trial
A guest who is afraid of dogs is more likely to imagine that your dog acted aggressively or even bit or lunged at her. Put your dog outside (assuming you have a fenced yard) or in a private dog area in your house, and you won't have to defend her against imaginary infractions or argue with a friend.
Be a Friend to the Fearful
Never confront a scared adult with your dog, however sweet and lovable the animal is. An adult can get over a dog phobia, but it's a slow process - first seeing pictures of a dog, then holding a collar, then looking at dogs through the pet store window, and so forth. You cannot overcome a person's phobia easily and you don't want your dog to be offended or confused by someone yelling "Bad dog" or "Get away" when the animal is just doing his regular sniffing routine.
Put the Squeeze on the Sneezes
To help a much-loved visitor who's allergic to cats, you can diminish, but not eliminate, the cat-caused allergens in the air with a plug-in air filter. It also helps a little if you always restrict the cat to certain areas of the house where guests would never go. This won't make a five-day visit possible, but the person should be able to come over for an evening of yuletide cheer!
If I Eat Any More, I'll Pop
Even adults will compulsively feed fish at someone else's home. With children, it's almost a given. Plan a feeding for all to witness during the visit, and explain that the fish will meet an untimely death if they get a single additional food flake. If a public feeding won't fit into the schedule, hide the food wherever you keep your medicines and put a sign on the tank that says "Absolutely No Feeding."
No One Will Ever Know We're Here
When you're expecting visitors under age four, all gerbils, hamsters, and mice should be kept out of their reach. That's the safest way to avoid over-handling, squashing, and suffocating. Just make sure that the hiding place is warm enough and out of drafts and that you haven't created an escape opening while moving the cage.
Hold On!
If a child is persistent in seeing your tiny rodent, make sure you know where both child and pet are at all times. If you feel that you must get the little fellow out of his cage, make sure to hold him in your hand and show the child how to stroke him lightly with one finger.
Have a safe and happy holiday season!
Article courtesy of:Petsmart.com
