Even though we’re near the end of the year, the holidays aren’t quite over yet. We still have one more day to celebrate. Therefore, before getting out the firecrackers or toasting Champagne, here are tips on how to celebrate New Year’s Eve with pets.
Pet parents, especially those with multiple pets, may choose to celebrate New Year’s Eve with their fur babies, like we typically do. In which case, I’ve outlined NYE ideas for both cats and dogs.
How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Pets
Invite Your Pet’s BFF
Since NYE is a big and loud celebration that can make your pet anxious, just stick to your closest buds that your pet knows well. Plus, having a small party minimizes anxiety for pets and people alike. Additionally, you’ll get to spend quality time with your fur baby and keep an eye on them.
Take a Nap With Your Fur Baby
In order to prep for the long night, consider taking a cozy nap during the day with your pet. That way you’ll both be refreshed for your evening.
Serve Holiday Treats
Keep people food away from pets, especially
- alcohol
- chocolate
- salty snacks
- meaty bones
- onions
- high fat and rich foods like cheese
- processed meats like sausage and deli meats
- and fried foods
Moreover, provide a garbage can for people with disposables that your pets can’t get into. In addition, either make your own homemade pet treats or buy some. However, don’t allow your friends to pass out the people food to your pet. And don’t forget to provide plenty of water for your fur baby.
Play With Your Pet
Due to the likelihood of loud noise with parties and fireworks, including during daytime hours, spend plenty of time entertaining your pet. Some ideas include puzzle toys, interactive toys, teasers and wands, balls, chew toys and tunnels. So, whether you have a dog, a cat, or both, there are plenty of items to choose from.
Avoid noisemakers
Both cats and dogs have more sensitive hearing than our own. Plus, NYE is the holiday most pets are reported lost, 2nd only to the 4th of July in the US. If you have the time before the event, you can try desensitizing your pet to loud noises. You can find animal desensitization digital recordings on YouTube to play for your pet to aid in being less reactive to loud noises. Further, during the event you can play pet-specific music to help calm your fur baby down.
Spruce up the House With Pet Friendly Decor
When decorating for your pet-friendly NYE party, recall that things that look fun to cats and dogs could be a hazard to them. Therefore, avoid decorating with
- streamers
- tinsel
- garland
- string lights
- candles
- toxic holiday plants
- and confetti
Rather, use safer decor, like banners, LED strip lights, artificial plants, and flameless candles. And you can still pull off a holiday style.
Pass Out Party Favors
Both people and pets like party favors. Fill bags with treats, catnip, and pet toys.
Make a Safe Space
Even with all the preparations to have a fun time, your pet or their bestie still might get scared with all the noise. So in the event you see any indication of anxiety, be sure to provide a safe space for your fur baby, like a bedroom. Whether you put a crate in it or not, it’s just a spot for them to feel safe. Also, cats like to go under beds when they’re scared. Or, in my cat’s case, they might hide under the covers. Thus, access under a bed in important. But you can also place a pet bed, blankets, and toys in the room as well.
Other Reminders
Don’t forget to have your pet collared and ID’d with contact information in case they run out while your door is open.
In Summary
If you have furballs at home, you can have a great New Year’s Eve with them and your closest friends. Additionally, you can make it intimate and fun with all of the details featured above. But at the same time avoid all of the anxiety for your pet that comes with traditional NYE events. In the likelihood that you have both a cat and a dog, but they don’t get along, then I recommend keeping them separate so as to not distress one or the other. You know your own pets best.
Thank you for reading this. Let me know how your New Year’s went. And I hope all of you have a safe and happy New Year. Please like, share, and if you don’t already follow me, you can do so now.
Chicken Girl 