This Christmas period can be overstimulating for both dogs not to mention us but that is the subject of another blog post see
Christmas Peace.
Anyway for our dogs and other pets, the lights, festive scents, music, visitors and travelling can be too overwhelming, so I thought I would write about some ideas to help you and your pets through this time.
Now firstly travelling, you may be heading off to stay with friends and family and embarking on a journey that is longer than your pooch is used to. Let’s talk safety first and check out my video all about travelling safely with dogs. Learn more in my video
Now dogs can also struggle with journeys either through anxiety or nausea or both so utilising essential oils can help massively with this. For nausea a drop of ZenGest in food before travel can support their digestion (it definitely works a treat for me, I can’t even go in a cab 2 miles up the road without feeling bleurgghh), if under 10kg just use a toothpick amount. Also diluted on their tummy and chest can be very helpful too and diffused. Under 10kg dilute with 1 tbsp of fractionated coconut oil and over 10kg dilute with 1 tsp and apply to abdomen a couple of drops of this mix.
Diffusing this wonderful blend can also be so helpful and this is where I love my rechargeable diffuser the Pilot for its use in my van
Now maybe your dog is anxious about travelling so diffusing is another great option and Balance blend is a great friend for this and also apply topically. Just remember to start using it in the house when your dog is nice and calm so you also get the odour memory association too.
Ok so now lets talking about the day or days in question learn more in my video
Walks enjoy some nice walks with your dog but also encourage some sniffing so leash on and promote some calming by letting your dog have a sniffari either as a separate walk or at the end of one to allow them to be calm and settle before heading inside.
Do you give your dogs and other pets Christmas pressies? I do and love wrapping them up in paper with some treats it adds some extra play to the presents and uses their ability for scent and foraging too. Just make sure they are supervised and any labels removed beforehand
Have some great treats to keep them occupied whether a good marrow bone or some chews none of that nasty rawhide but dried fishskins or I like Whimzees or a good old fashioned carrot! Also snuffle mats, lick mats and kongs stuffed with some nice treats are a fave with my guys and encourage some natural and calming behaviours
Create a calm space for your dog where they won’t be disturbed this is really vital for your dog, dogs require more sleep than we do and especially if they are older dogs or anxious ones than too much stimulation from people can cause tension for your dog.
Be mindful of all the decorations and Christmas food, trinkets can be tempting for a dog even one who is blind like my dog Inka who loves anything wood and sniffs out wooden ornaments with alarming skill! Christmas food whilst lovely for us can be toxic for dogs especially things like Christmas pudding and cake and even if not toxic letting your dog over indulge can definitely create problems later and no one wants a dog with D&V on Boxing day!
Kids be very mindful of kids and dogs - whilst it can be fun for both to spend time together this should be under strict supervision. As an emergency medicine doctor who has done a lot of paeds and also studied the dog bites in children for several years I can tell you that the very vast majority of dog bites are not from aggressive dogs they are from family pets where a child has tripped over a dog or a dog has joined in with play to name just 2 such occurrences. Dogs teeth are sharp and a dog going to grab a toy being waved around by a child or a bit of food can result in nasty injuries with no malice intended by the dog.
Keep children with food and dogs separate and if children are playing be supervised and consider popping the dog in their calm space and making sure this calm space is not intruded on by the child.
You may think this is a bit over the top because “my dog would never do anything like that” but unfortunately I’ve seen too often the results of a loving family pet playing or being startled, sad incidents which could have been prevented by management.
Don’t forget your essential oils either - take a diffuser to your relatives and let them enjoy the Christmas smell of On Guard and take advantage of the immune support benefits and utilise Balance blend for calming your dog, cat or bunny if you have a house full of people or for fireworks night too. Also great for horses. The Roam Diffuser is a great one to have as well for a stable as once charged it will last 8 hours on an intermittent setting.
For fireworks night my little calming trio of Balance, Serenity and Vetiver is my recommendation either alone or all together in a blend with 2 drops of each in 10ml of Fractionated Coconut Oil for dogs under 10kg double the FCO to 20mls. Do some self selection and ask your dog what they need. But remember you need to start working on calming and using the oils before the day in question for maximum effectiveness.
For more info see my fireworks webinar and learn more.
Hope these tips help, do get in touch with anything that you would like covered.
Helene x