It’s that time of the year again—time for the holiday decor to go up and for your curious cat or dog to spring into action and pull it all back down again. While their mischief might be innocent enough, it can be harmful, too. Keeping an expert eye on your pet during the holidays around food, decor and people is super important. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent Fido from unknowingly wrecking the holidays. Read below for some of our favorite ways to keep the tinsel intact and your furry friend away from the holiday festivities.
Stock Up on Toys
Pets need presents, too! One of the easiest ways to keep them distracted this holiday season is with indestructible toys and games. Fill their beds with toys and puzzles to keep their brains busy, so they’re not thinking about how high they’ll climb the tree this year.
Use Pet Fences
If the toys fail to keep Fluffy entertained, opt for some fencing. Parameters created especially for pets are effective deterrents, especially when you have company over. Place the boundary in a room away from all of the noise and activity so that your pet can’t see the celebration and allow him to join when he’s settled down and ready to calmly play with the aforementioned toys.
Get Smart About Decor
Shiny, musical, twinkling and full of flair—these are just a few things that your holiday decor and your pet’s favorite toys have in common. It can be hard to keep your pets from getting into wreaths and ornaments, especially if they’re still puppies or kittens. To help your pets understand the difference between their toys and your decorations, you have to be swift and firm.
While it helps to hang a wreath high up on the wall or door, mischievous animals could still find a way to satisfy their curiosity. If you see your pet climbing the couch to reach a rope of twinkling lights or batting at an ornament, quickly reprimand them and replace your decor with a favorite toy.
Holiday-Proof the Rest of Your Home
Oftentimes when we have company over for the holidays, we forget about the mess that comes with it. From extra traffic on the floors and area rugs to ruffled linens and pillows in the living areas and guest bedrooms, your home can take quite the beating come Christmas time. Thinking ahead of time about your pets and guests, there are a few things you can do to holiday-proof the high-traffic areas of your home.
First, remove any rugs that can’t be washed and replace them with durable floor coverings that are easy to clean. Next, set clear boundaries. Let your guests know that your bedroom or master bathroom is totally off limits, but the powder bath down the hall is stocked with all the amenities they’d need. Lastly, swap out pillowcases, blankets, sheets and towels for coverings that you don’t mind getting a little rumpled in the holiday chaos.
Making a few smart pet- and holiday-proof decisions help your pets and guests enjoy their holiday festivities. Plus, you won’t have to worry about staining your heirloom blankets or Oriental rug! How do you get your home ready for the holidays with pets?
