Give your pet a Merry Xmas

CHRISTMAS CAN BE A TOUGH TIME FOR DOGS AND CATS

- CARL EVE

TWINKLY lights, rich food, parties, booze, and baubles galore are the mainstays of everyone's Christmas, yet while this is something humans revel in, it can actually be a very stressful time for our pets. As such, animal charities are keen to encourage owners to think about how their four or two-legged friends fare over the festive period.

The stress can come from a change in routine. Extra visitors, loud music and bright, shiny decorations can all put them off their stride, and a bit of planning ahead can help minimise that stress for pets.

The RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Cats Protection League all offer advice making sure your favoured pets do not suffer any kind of downside to the arrival of Santa and the wild partying of New Year's Eve, and The Herald has brought together some of their key advice here.

For cats and dogs, stick to their routine - try to keep food, exercise, bed and toilet break routines the same, as consistency can help pets feel more secure. If you have kept to your normal routine, then chances are your dog will be nice and relaxed by the time they arrive. You can also help your dog to stay calm by giving them a distraction when your guests first arrive, like a longlasting food release treat or a chew.