New Year’s Eve may be a favourite time of year for many of us with parties, festive food and drinks, houseguests and fireworks. But our pets may not be in the party mood and have their house descended upon by family and friends. They may just want to have a quiet evening snoozing and sticking to their regular routine, maybe the New Year's fireworks on TV at a push.

So, how can we make sure your furry friend isn't stressed out by all the celebrations? Here are some tips to keep your pets relaxed, happy and safe as we see in the New Year.

Key to a Dog-Friendly New Year

While some dogs may love all the excitement that this time of year brings, most canine companions are happier sticking to their familiar routine and usual food. Having all the family at home for Christmas can be tiresome and overwhelming for our pooches, let alone when it comes to a New Year's celebration. They may be kept inside more, not taken out for walks as much or not walked at their usual times.

They may be fed at different times and be given more unhealthy treats and leftovers from our festive feast. Children may be noisy and not realise that their pet just wants some chill-out time.

There may be alcohol, vapes, batteries and lots of other tempting but toxic goodies lying around. No-one wants to deal with bloated tummies, vomiting and diarrhoea at this time of the year (or a trip to the vet practice). Here’s a guide to keeping your dog safe and happy during this celebratory time.

1. Keep to your dog’s usual routine – feeding and walking your four-legged friend at the normal times as much as possible. We're not necessarily talking long bracing walks, just maintain their routine best as possible.
2. Don’t feed your dog leftovers which may be fatty or even toxic. So, make sure tasty food is kept well out of reach or tidied away. If your pooch likes to raid the bins, make sure to empty them regularly. Let everyone know not to give your dog too many treats and don’t forget that chocolate, raisins, cannabis and anything containing the sweetener xylitol are toxic to dogs.
3. As well as making sure that any tempting food is put away, this time of year can mean there are a lot of drinks (especially alcoholic ones) left on tables within a dog’s reach. Alcohol ingestion can make dogs depressed, unsteady on their feet and cause vomiting!
4. If a party is planned, make sure your dog has somewhere quiet to retreat to if it all becomes too much for them. Put their bed and blankets in a quiet room and check on them every now and then to make sure they’re not stressed by the noise and lots of people being in their home.
5. Candles and decorations are also hazards at this time of year – keep them out of reach of dogs. A swishing tail can easily result in a candle being knocked over.
6. Loud music, fireworks at midnight and party poppers – if your dog is bothered by loud noises, remember to make a safe haven for them. Make sure all the windows and doors are kept shut so they can’t escape if the noise scares them. Keeping them inside, with their bed in a quiet room with the curtains closed. Perhaps put on some relaxing background music to help create a calm atmosphere. Make sure your dog has their favourite blanket and some toys and reassure and comfort them if they’re anxious.
7. If your dog is overwhelmed and stressed, let your guests know that they’re taking some time out to relax. Don’t force them to be sociable or punish them if they appear grumpy!
8. Tidying up after parties is a must to keep dogs safe – especially if there are inquisitive puppies around.
9. Know what to do if your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t! No-one wants to have to deal with suspected dog poisoning at this time of year.

When it comes to food your dog's ingested, you do need to be vigilant, especially if there are lots of people 'treating' them to things they shouldn't be eating.

A trip to an out-of-hours vet may be necessary in cases where your pet has:

• Eaten chocolate, nuts, mouldy food, raisins or foods containing artificial sweeteners.
• Has persistent vomiting and cannot keep anything down or is generally looking unwell.
• Has tremors, persistent muscle twitching or seizures.
• Eaten decorations, tinsel, ribbons or large amounts of wrapping paper.
• Eaten batteries.

If your dog tends to be nervous and likely to be upset by the celebrations, ask your vet for advice on how to ease their anxiety well in advance. Remember, if puppies (and kittens) haven’t been exposed to loud noises and lots of new people when young, they can find new situations difficult to cope with. Your vet can refer your pet to a behavioural specialist if needed.

Keep Cats Safe at a New Year’s Eve Party

Our furry feline friends can also find party noise, fireworks and all the celebrations stressful. Most cats have a favourite hiding place so make sure that it’s accessible for them to retreat to. Whether it’s their bed, carrier, under the bed, behind the sofa or on top of the bookcase, make sure they have access to their safe haven.

Keep curtains, windows and cat flaps closed so they can’t run away. Microchipping your cat will ensure that they can be returned to you if the loud noises are too much for them that they take fright and run away. Calming background music and pheromone therapy can also be used to create a calm environment.

Take your cue from your cat – they may find human interaction comforting or they may want to be left alone! Much like dogs, you can help your cat cope with the season’s celebrations by feeding them at their usual feeding times, avoid feeding leftovers and try to prevent them from getting access to any festive food leftovers. And know what to do if your cat eats something they shouldn’t! Lilies in particular are poisonous for cats.

Rabbits and for New Year's Eve Celebrations

Rabbits can become stressed by loud noises so, on December 31 when firework displays are likely at midnight, your bunny might need to be moved indoors or into the shed if they’re kept outdoors.

Put some extra bedding in your rabbit’s enclosure to burrow under or put a cardboard box with lots of hay inside so they can hide away. If left outside, a thick curtain or blanket can be draped over their enclosure to keep out some of the noisy bangs, whizzes and flashes of lights (but make sure there’s enough ventilation).

If you’re having a party, remember to put your house bunny in a quiet room and check on them regularly.

New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate, but we still need to keep our pets safe! Be prepared and minimise the hazards that may be harmful to your pet. It can be a stressful time of year for animals, so don’t forget to provide a safe, quiet place for them to retreat to when they want some peace and quiet away from all the festivities.

If you’re going out to see in the New Year, do a quick safety check before leaving your pet at home – make sure all windows and any other exit routes are closed and that any food, medication and any other potential hazards have been safely stored away.

As New Year's Day rolls around and you put a close to this winter break, you won’t want to be spending time dealing with a sick or anxious pet, or looking for one that has escaped. So be one step ahead on your New Year's break, so everyone can have a Happy New Year!

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis - www.vetstream.com/treat/canis, Felis www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis, and Lapis www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

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