Enjoy relaxed New Year's Eve celebrations with your dog or cat

December 24, 2024

How to celebrate a relaxed New Year's Eve with your dog or cat: a quiet spot, distraction, toilet breaks, music and how guests should treat your animals.

New Year's Eve is just around the corner and many people are looking forward to a good celebration. But for our pets, the turn of the year often means stress and restlessness. With a few simple tips – from quiet spots to distraction to noise protection – you can make the turn of the year as pleasant as possible for your four-legged friends.

Celebrating with guests – consideration is important

Minimize stress – create a haven of peace

Activities as a distraction

Noise protection during fireworks

Keep calm and stay close by

When inviting guests, inform them in advance that animal-friendly behaviour is requested. Ask your guests not to crowd or pick up the animals, as this can cause additional stress. Also make sure that no leftovers are accessible, as many snacks and dishes can be unhealthy or even dangerous for cats and dogs. Make sure that decorative items such as tinsel, streamers or small decorations remain out of the reach of your animals, as they can be easily swallowed.

 A quiet spot that provides safety and security is essential to minimize stress for your pets. A cosy basket in a separate room is suitable for dogs, while cats prefer hiding places at height, such as cat shelves or scratching posts. Blankets or pillows can help to make the  environment comfortable. We recommend getting your animals used to this place in advance so that they associate it with peace and security. 

 Keep your animals occupied to distract them. For dogs, chews or intelligence toys are suitable, while cats can be entertained with cat dancers or food balls. It is a good idea to take dogs on a long walk before the fireworks so that they can work off their energy. 

The noise of fireworks is one of the greatest sources of stress for animals on New Year's Eve. Close all windows and also close the curtains or shutters to dampen the noise. Soothing music, especially for dogs, can also help. You can easily find such music on platforms such as YouTube or Spotify. 

Your own serenity transfers to your pets. Be calm and relaxed and avoid overreacting to anxious behaviour. This way you signal to your pets that there is no danger. If possible, stay close during the fireworks to give them a sense of security.

With the right preparation, you can spend a relaxed New Year's Eve with your dog or cat. You and your four-legged friend can thus start the new year together relaxed and calmly.