Parties are great fun but can be unsettling for pets. They can interrupt their daily routine and bring new stressful events in their home. There are important things to consider while you are planning your event which’ll help your pet to remain as calm as possible. Younger and older pets tend to cope less well with stressful situations, so they require extra care and consideration.

• Guests - will there be unfamiliar people or larger than normal amounts of people within the house? Will there be children present? Unfamiliar people may be scary for your pets. The expectations of their behaviour become unclear. Noise will increase with guest numbers and children may bring added chaos as they play. If your pet will be home, make sure they have somewhere familiar, quiet and secure they can escape to if they feel overwhelmed. This should be a place they are not followed to by inquisitive guests
• Noise - loud noises can be distressing for pets. In nature, they are often a sign of danger. Give your pet a quiet place to escape to if they appear to be anxious
• Resources - parties often involve furniture being moved to make room for more guests. Make sure you keep your pet's resources in the same places as far as possible. There must always be water to drink.  If your pet uses a litter tray, remember that moving it may result in accidents
• Food - politely ask your guests not to feed your pets. Too many treats can lead to tummy troubles. There is also a risk they could be fed something that is toxic to them
• Costumes - these can be frightening for your pet as they may not recognise the familiar faces of your guests. They can also be hazardous if you dress your pets in them for an event. Always consider your pets comfort when dressing them in items. Consider restricting the fancy dress fun to humans
• Decorations - these can make the party environment exciting and inviting for your guests. They may, however, be quite scary for your pets. The light may reflect off them and they will certainly change the look and feel of their normally quiet environment. Balloons are known for unpredictable noise if they pop. Smaller decorations could be chewed or swallowed with their own issue

With a few minor changes and considerations, we’re sure you and your pets will have a wonderful time celebrating.

• Fatty/greasy foods – these are likely to cause digestive upsets and can contribute to more serious conditions such as pancreatitis 
• Hot foods - keep a close eye on your pet in case they get tempted to snatch hot foods. They can cause burns and scalds 
• Leftovers - keep rubbish bags out of reach to prevent pets from eating scraps or unsuitable food 
• Cooked chicken bones – these can cause catastrophic internal injuries if they are eaten 
• Kebab skewers / cocktail sticks – these are dangerous if ingested as they can pierce the gastrointestinal tract and cause severe problems very quickly.   
• Toxic ingredients – many foods that are harmless to humans are toxic to our pets. Ensure your pet does not eat/drink: 
• Alcohol  
• Avocados  
• Bones  
• Caffeinated beverages (including tea) 
• Chocolate  
• Garlic 
• Grapes 
• Onions  
• Diet foods (containing artificial sweeteners)  

If you are not sure if a food is safe, ask your vet team. 

Pets can become anxious for many reasons. Noise, extra guests, rearranged furniture all contribute to a change in normal routine. If your pet appears stressed, give them a safe and calm space to retreat to away from the party. This could be a bedroom with a water bowl placed in it (and a litter tray for cats). If your pet is used to it, you could leave a radio or TV on at low volume to mask the noise of the party too. Ensure your pet has a comfy bed they can rest in and consider where you place it so they can hide if they wish to.  

For more anxious pets, it may be a better option for them to stay with a trusted friend away from home for the time of the party. If this is going to occur, make several short trips to acclimatise them in the chosen environment before you leave them alone.  

Firstly, make sure your guests are aware pets are present. Ask them to be careful around doors and windows to prevent your pets from escaping. It is also an excellent idea to ask guests not to feed your pets. This stops them from overindulging and prevents accidents with toxic or hazardous foods. 

Some guests may have allergies to animals so ensuring they are aware of their presence can avoid problems later.  

Consider removing your pets to another room while guests arrive and depart. This will prevent accidental escapes.  

• Check your house thoroughly for dropped food or napkins that could be eaten or chewed  
• Make sure all waste is removed before pets are left alone. Leftovers may become tempting to them when unsupervised 
• Ensure the waste bags are stored securely as they are no deterrent for the more determined pet