Helping Clients Keep Their Pets Safe This Holiday Season: A Guide for Pet Professionals
The holidays bring excitement, togetherness, and plenty of opportunities for furry family members to get into trouble. As a pet professional—whether you’re a trainer, groomer, sitter, vet, or retail business owner—your guidance is key to ensuring pets stay safe, comfortable, and healthy through all the festivities. Here’s how you can help your clients and customers navigate the seasonal hazards with peace of mind.
1. Be Proactive About Common Holiday Hazards
Educate pet owners on the top dangers:
- Decorations: Remind clients that tinsel, ribbon, garlands, batteries, and ornaments can be tempting and dangerous if chewed or swallowed. Suggest ways to pet-proof décor—keeping items well out of reach and using barriers for Christmas trees.
- Toxic Holiday Plants: Alert clients to seasonal plants like poinsettia, mistletoe, holly, and lilies, which can cause illness if ingested by pets.
- Electrical Cords & Lighting: Advise hiding or taping down cords and choosing flameless candles to prevent burns and shocks.
2. Address Holiday-Specific Foods
Offer a simple go-to list for foods to avoid and safe treats to share:
- No-go foods: Chocolate, grapes/raisins, onions, garlic, fatty meats, bones, alcohol, and xylitol (often in candies and baked goods).
- Safe alternatives: Share recipes for pet-safe holiday treats, or offer samples at your business.
- Remind everyone to clear trash promptly and keep leftovers out of reach.
3. Encourage a Calm Environment
Celebrations can disrupt routines and stress pets—especially shy or anxious animals:
- Recommend setting up a quiet space, complete with familiar beds and toys.
- Suggest using white-noise machines, calming music, or enrichment puzzles if gatherings get loud.
- Educate clients on recognizing signs of stress, including pacing, whining, hiding, or accidents.
- Remember that your pet may not be used to children; make sure the pet can escape to the calm area.
4. Practice Doorway & Guest Safety
Guests and delivery folks mean more open doors—a major escape risk:
- Advise clients to update pet tags and microchips before the holidays.
- Suggest keeping leashes by the door or using gates to keep pets from darting out.
- Train pets with “wait” or “stay” commands for safer comings and goings.
5. Guide Safe Travel and Boarding Strategies
Help clients prep pets for travel or boarding:
- Share travel safety tips: secure carriers, harnesses, and packing familiar items.
- Remind owners to book professional sitters or kennels early—holiday slots fill fast!
- Emphasize keeping emergency contacts and medical info handy.
- Always carry a copy of the pet’s shot records, especially a rabies certificate.
- If the family is leaving the United States, they will need a valid health certificate and a copy of their rabies certificate to get their pet back in the United States.
6. Provide Education Resources
Boost your business authority with handouts, blog links, or social posts:
- Build infographics on pet-safe holiday decor.
- Use printable checklists for holiday-proofing homes.
- Host a safety Q&A session at your clinic, shop, or online.
Conclusion
Your informed advice is invaluable. Sharing clear, actionable tips not only keeps pets safe but strengthens relationships with clients—earning their trust during a stressful, busy season. Championing holiday pet safety helps create happier holidays for every household you serve.
Hit the New Year running: Book a free discovery call to discuss your pet business’s communication strategy or custom blogging resources!
