There’s nothing more enjoyable than hosting a party for your friends and family, enjoying their company and simply having a good time. However, for those of us with pets, we often fail to consider the impact that parties can have on them and just how hazardous they can potentially be.

 

What’s wrong with visitors?

For many cats and dogs, having a large group of strangers arriving into their territory is daunting to say the least. Even the friendliest of pets may find the intrusion overwhelming and struggle to keep their anxiety at bay. For those who really stress themselves out, if there is an option to have them out of the house during a party (perhaps with a neighbour or in the local cattery for a few hours), this can be a reasonable solution.

For others, confining them to a room in the house where there should not be much noise or foot traffic, and where they feel comfortable, can be the next best thing. Ensure they have some toys, chews and puzzles around to keep them preoccupied and help them pass the time. Stress levels can be reduced further through the use of plug-in calming adaptors (such as ‘Feliway’ for cats or ‘Adaptil’ for dogs) and/or natural stress-reducing supplements that can be given in their food for a week or two before the big day to take the edge off. Have a chat with our staff to see which products would suit your pet best.

 

So what’s the risk?

Though it may seem obvious, the constant opening and closing of the front door and gate can sometimes be very tempting for an indoor cat or nervous dog that is keen to escape the noise and people within their home. They may decide to make a sudden run for it so try to keep them within a secure place at all times.

 

Are there any physical dangers?

A big issue particularly when it comes to our gluttonous dogs is the sudden availability of party food and drinks. Well-meaning guests may not see the harm in snaffling a cocktail sausage or two for Bailey as he looks on with big brown eyes, but they may fail to realise that he has probably played the same trick on the last ten unsuspecting guests he has seen! As party food tends to be high in fat and sugars, ask party-goers not feed the pets, as tempting as it may be. Ingestion of too much human food can lead to bloating, an upset stomach and even life-threatening health conditions such as pancreatitis.

Grills and barbecues

These add an extra layer of danger (take note, Antipodean friends! – Ed.), particularly if meat with bones, such as pork chops or chicken wings, are served. If a pet gets their paws on these foods, there is a real risk of choking, or of them developing an obstruction further down in their gastrointestinal tract. On top of this, any meat cooked on skewers may be eaten by the party-goers only for the greasy, tempting skewer to be discarded nearby and discovered by a cheeky pooch on the scrounge. As implausible as this may seem, most vets will have had to remove a skewer or two from a dog’s stomach at one time or another.

 

What about playtime?

While cats are unlikely to be willing participants in any shindig, a sociable dog may enjoy playing some outdoor games with any children present and may well relish all of the extra fuss. Be mindful however that they may get over-tired and could even risk developing heat stroke if it is a warm day and they are constantly on the go. Ensure they have fresh water available and force them to take several breaks throughout the day.

 

While there is plenty to consider when planning a party with pets in the home, taking some simple steps can help to make the day pass enjoyably for them and avoid any extra hassle for you.