21st December 2006

Christmas Pet Checklist

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Whether you have pets at home, you're taking them to see relatives or pets are coming to stay with you this festive period, our checklist helps you make sure they'll be well looked after

By Laura Smithson, Site Editor

Most of the problems I've had with my own puppy, Frank, have come from disruption to his normal daily routine. Both times he's run away have been when I've had visitors or workmen in who have left the garden gate wide open. It's something I never do, so I didn't bother to check it, let him out for a wee in the garden and went back inside to cook dinner. It took me a long time to miss him and realise he wasn't in the garden, as I'd assumed he was just pottering around the lawn as normal.

Equally, I wouldn't think of Frank as a 'food stealer', but then I don't leave food out where he can reach it. Recently a friend came to visit my new baby and brought a sandwich with her as she knew I'd be too busy and exhausted to make her lunch. I went upstairs to change the baby and instead of sitting eating her sandwich as I'd assumed she would, she left it on the coffee table and went to look at my garden. By the time we both returned, Frank had demolished an entire prawn sandwich. My first reaction (thankfully not expressed out loud) was annoyance at her for putting my puppy's health at risk. I was worried that prawns would upset his stomach or even poison him. I then remembered to apologise to her for missing out on lunch!

These kinds of things happen because our own routines are disrupted and because people who don't have pets just don't think in the same way about the risks to them – things that have become such second nature to animal owners that we don't even realise we do them. This checklist is designed to try to avoid accidents and upsets during the next couple of weeks, when well-meaning but ignorant people may put your pet at risk.

If Visitors Are Coming To Your Home

Take a day to really look at the routines you have in place surrounding your pet. For example, if the doorbell goes, I make sure two doors opening off the hallway are closed first, to allow me to open the door without my dog having access to it, and therefore being able to run out into the street. Your visitors without pets will cheerfully march in and out to their cars, leaving the door wide open. Perhaps a post-it note stuck to the inside of the door will remind them to close it behind them?

Non pet owners may be oblivious to dangers to pets. For example, many people don't know that chocolate can be toxic to dogs, so may leave wrapped up boxes of chocolates under the Christmas tree or on low tables where a dog could have access. Either you'll have to remind them of this, or tactfully offer them a cupboard space to keep their presents in until the unwrapping.

We know that vets advise that pets don't have any treats other than those designed specifically for them, but some of us allow a little nibble of our sandwich, or feeding scraps from the table; others don't. I’ve been very strict with my puppy and he only ever gets treats that I know are safe, like a bit of chicken, and only ever in his own bowl. I'd be really annoyed if a visitor gave him a scrap of their biscuit or fed him a roast potato from their dinner plate. Tell your visitors the rules straight off, to avoid embarrassment later and upsetting your pet's routine or their stomach.

Where I haven't been so strict is on the 'dogs on the furniture' rule. I let Frank jump up on the sofa for a cuddle if it's an appropriate time and I put him back on the floor if it's not. Some of my visitors are surprised when he bounds up and tries to give them a cuddle, and not sure how to discipline him and make him get down. Telling them which commands the dog responds to and warning them of what he's likely to do gives them a chance to protect their personal space if that's important to them.

Some people just don't like pets – or are allergic to their fur. If your visitor is uncomfortable you may have to remove your pet to another room. Try to make sure the pet is comfortable and entertained – perhaps providing a nice chewy bone for the duration of the visit will make up for being banished from the family rooms. However, this is your pet's home too, so if your visitors are there for a longer time, tell them you have to spend some time with your pet too and take him into the garden for a game, or sit in your own bedroom and stroke your cat. Your visitors should understand that the pet needs care too, and there'll be plenty on TV to occupy them while you spend some time with your animals. In fact over Christmas, the excuse of walking the dog may provide you with a much-needed break from your visitors anyway!

• Use post-it notes on doors to remind visitors to close them to keep pets in or out.
• Remind visitors that chocolate is toxic to dogs (and not good for cats either).
• Tell visitors the rules of your house on feeding tidbits.
• Teach visitors your command words – 'Down' 'No' 'Bad dog' 'Good boy', etc. Demonstrate to them how to make your pet do what you want.
• Warn visitors of your pet's likely behaviour so it's not a shock or suprise – e.g. 'That's the 'cuddle' chair. If you sit there he'll try to jump on your lap – would you prefer to sit over here?'
• Create a balance – if you have to keep your pets and visitors separate, go and make a fuss of your pet and spend time with them too – the visitors can fend for themselves for a while.

If Visitors Are Bringing Their Own Pets

This can be a tricky one. Dogs and cats can be very territorial and there's also the issue of the pack – who's top dog or top cat. Animals often decide this hierarchy amongst themsleves very early on, but you can help them to do so calmly by following a few ground rules.

It's often better for two dogs to meet in the garden, rather than in the house. You might even leave the visiting dog in the car for a few minutes when the visitors arrive, then take both for a walk together, so they can meet in neutral space and perhaps have a run or a play together as they decide who's top dog. This can avoid fighting or sniping when they get home. Any visitor who is bringing their pet is likely to be as worried as you about how the visit goes, so talk about it on the phone before they arrive and plan what you're going to do.

One problem I've had with other dogs in the house is that they tend to eat each other's food. Anticipate this and try to keep the dogs separate at mealtimes if this is likely to be a problem. If either your or the visiting dog likes to leave some of their food for later, but the other dog is known to be a bit greedy, you might want to split the meal into several smaller ones for the duration of the visit, to give the 'slow eater' a chance to get all their regular food, rather than coming back to the surprise of an empty bowl on an empty stomach.

If the two dogs or cats just don’t get on, the 'home' dog should take priority. The visiting dog can be kept for short periods in the car, in the garden or in a separate room such as the bedroom where his owners are sleeping. His routine is already disrupted, so it’s better not to upset both pets more than is necessary.

• Get pets to meet on neutral territory or at least outside the house.
• Protect their food from scavengers if necessary.
• Supervise their first meeting inside the house, but allow them to decide their own hierarchy.
• The 'home' pet's routines and space should take priority if the two don’t get on.

If You Are Taking Your Pet Away

This is always a more difficult scenario. I’m always worried taking Frank into a non-pet household, where muddy footprints or the potential stealing of food from low tables, or even (please no) a wee on the carpet could cause offence. It’s also annoying if people don't have 'dog proof' gardens, when you seem to spend hours on the end of a lead in the freezing cold and driving rain waiting for the dog to perform. I'm told cat owners have similar nightmares about the litter tray being scattered over unforgiving carpets or a well-timed scratch down an antique table-leg or silk curtain.

If you have to take your pet with you, it's best to be honest with your hosts before you arrive and if their reaction to what could potentially happen is not good, consider putting your pet in a professional kennel or cattery for the break instead. It will probably make for a better few days for both of you,as you won't be constantly telling the pet off or curbing his natural curiosity and enthusiasm. Be aware that these get booked up quickly though, so ring now to get a space. Your hosts may be happy though if you just set some boundaries. Perhaps the dog or cat could live mainly in their kitchen, with a space set aside for thier food, bed and litter tray. Here you can put down newspaper or even wash the floor yourself if there's an accident or muddy paws.

One of the greatest problems of visiting other people is the potential for your pet to escape. In unfamiliar surroundings they could well get lost or run into danger such as a road or river. Constant supervision is the only real answer. If someone doesn't have their own pet they can't tell you their garden is 'pet-proof'. Keep your dog or cat on a collar and lead if they need to go out and don't assume your hosts will think about the potential for escape every time they answer the door or pop out to put the bins out. It’s a good idea to check that your pet's ID tag has your mobile phone number on it. There's no point someone ringing your home phone to tell you they've found your dog or cat when you're staying 200 miles away.

• Update ID tags with mobile numbers or the home number of your hosts
• Supervise your pet constantly, inside and outside
• Be alert to doors being opened and check where your pet is
• Ask for a designated space for your pet, which is allowed to get a bit messy
• Consider using boarding kennels or a cattery instead – book soon!