Hello everyone, CEO Olivia here. We are in the festive holiday season, which can mean guest & family possibly arriving. This is probably not part of your good dog or cool cat’s routine. On top of that, the humans seem more stressed than usual. Extra shopping, parties to attend & preparing the home for guests is a lot of work. We dogs are very sensitive to our human’s emotions.

What I’m getting at is this, the holidays can be stressful for us four leggers. In my case, living with canine idiopathic epilepsy, stress & excitement can trigger a seizure so it’s extra important for my huMom to keep things calm around this time of year.

For some good dogs & cats having company over is no big deal. But some, like myself can be reactive. For them I have a few suggestions if you plan on having guests.

Prepare a dim lit room or go to space for your pet with favorite toys, some treats. Calming music might help. If your dog feels secure in a crate, move it away from the activity so your good dog can retreat there.

Wearing a thundershirt can help some good dogs. I have one that I wear if guests are coming.

Adaptil is a non-medical solution for helping dogs feel more relaxed & secure. It synthetically mimics the natural appeasing pheromones that mother dogs use to comfort & reassure their puppies. It comes in a spray or with a defuser you plug into the wall.

Extra play time or an extra walk can burn off any anxiety or pent up energy we may have about all the unusual activity at home.

There are also natural approaches such as melatonin or CBD oil, both can have a calming effect.

OmegaAlpha has two formulations for coping with stress. E-Z Rest has a calming effect & promotes relaxation. EnduraStress helps the body cope with stress while also providing a calming effect. Either of these can be added to meals for a few days before a big day to help your good dog or cool cat.

The most important thing is to consider your four legger’s needs when planning your festivities. It should be a happy time for everyone.

Do you have any tips for reducing holiday stress? Please bark out about it, I want to know.

CEO Olivia ❤