New Year’s Eve is a night of celebration. The time is filled with parties, laughter, and dazzling fireworks. While these festivities bring us joy, they can be overwhelming and frightening for our pets. Loud noises, unfamiliar people, strong scents, and disrupted routines can trigger anxiety in even the calmest cats and dogs.
To help your furry family members feel secure and comfortable as the clock counts down, here are some easy-to-follow tips for keeping your pets safe on New Year’s Eve.
Create a Safe, Secure Environment Indoors
The most crucial step is to keep your pets indoors during celebrations. Fireworks, booming music, and crowds can cause panic and fear, increasing the likelihood that pets will bolt outside or hide. Before the evening begins, set up a designated quiet room where your pet can retreat. Include familiar items like beds, blankets, toys, water, and, for cats, a litter box. If your pet is crate-trained, their crate can serve as a cozy and comforting den throughout the festivities.
If you need to take your pet outside briefly, ensure they are on a secure, escape-proof harness or leash, as loud noises may prompt sudden flight. Having your pet microchipped is also a benefit in case your pet runs away. When travelling for the holiday, recreate a familiar safe zone away from the chaos at your destination.
Maintain Routines and Reduce Anxiety
For many pets, predictability brings comfort, so it’s essential to try to maintain their usual feeding, walking, and bedtime routine as closely as possible. Before evening activities begin, give them extra exercise or playtime to burn off excess energy. A well-stimulated dog or cat is more likely to relax or sleep through the excitement later on.
To help manage noise sensitivity, use calming background sounds, such as soft music, white noise, ocean sounds, or even your pet’s favorite TV show. These can help mask the sound of nearby fireworks or loud parties.
You can also explore natural calming aids. Herbs like lemon balm, chamomile, valerian, or lavender may help soothe anxiety when used appropriately. Products such as Thundershirts®, Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) diffusers, and Feliway® for cats can create a sense of comfort through pressure and scent signals.
For pets with severe anxiety, consult your veterinarian about safe anti-anxiety medications. Some pets may require medical support for high-stress events like New Year’s Eve. Always consult your vet before giving any medication, whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter.
Keep Dangerous Foods and Drinks Out of Reach
Parties often mean an abundance of tasty, tempting foods. Unfortunately, many of them can be dangerous for pets. Keep plates, trash bags, and serving trays out of reach of curious noses. In addition, keep in mind that alcohol is highly toxic to animals. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, low blood pressure, weakness, or worse. Clean up spills immediately and keep cups out of reach. Lastly, fatty foods and bones can pose a health risk to pets. Foods like ham trimmings, fatty meats, and cooked bones can lead to digestive upset, vomiting, or dangerous blockages. Bones, especially, can splinter and cause internal injuries. Make sure guests know not to slip any “treats” to your pets. Call the Pet Poison Hotline if you suspect your pet ingested something.
Watch Out for Party Decorations and Hazards
New Year’s décor is festive for us, but it is also irresistible and dangerous for pets. Items like tinsel, streamers, balloons, noise makers, and party hats can be easily chewed or swallowed. This can lead to choking or intestinal blockages with potentially fatal outcomes. Remember to keep decorations high and to supervise your pet whenever possible.
Protect Against Escapes With Updated Identification
With people coming and going, doors often open more than usual. Even if your pet is tucked away in a quiet room, accidents can happen. Ensure your pet’s microchip information and ID tags are up-to-date with your current address and phone number. This simple step significantly increases the chances of a safe reunion if an escape occurs.
Offer Comfort and Reassurance
Some pets cope better when they’re close to their trusted human. Gentle petting, brushing, cuddling under the blankets, or even simple massage techniques can help soothe a nervous animal. Pay attention to your pet’s body language throughout the evening. Some pets need closeness, while others prefer to hide and observe from a distance.
If You’re Travelling Without Your Pet, Hire a Professional
Keeping your pets safe on New Year’s Eve can take some planning. If you plan to spend the evening away from home or out of town entirely, consider booking a professional pet sitter, such as a trained sitter from VIP Pets. We can keep your dog or cat company, monitor for signs of fear or distress, and maintain your pet’s routine, giving you peace of mind throughout the night.
New Year’s Eve can be enjoyable for the whole family—including your pets—with a bit of planning and thoughtful preparation. By creating a secure environment, minimizing stress, preventing dangerous exposures, and ensuring they’re never left alone in chaos, you can help your furry friends ring in the new year safely and comfortably.