by Debbie Wolfe

Fred, a year before the bean-paste incident. Photo: Debbie Wolfe.

Arriving home one evening, my husband and I found Fred, our husky-Lab mixed breed, struggling to dislodge a sticky mass from her palate. I pulled it out  and reassembled the shreds of its packaging. Fred had pulled a hunk of bean paste from a shopping bag our houseguests had left on the floor. Thankfully, Fred suffered no ill effects.

How could this happen? Our friends knew that Fred would eat anything that wasn’t nailed down!

We pet parents are masters of pet-proofing our homes, and are well aware of the dangers the holidays pose for our pets, from chocolate and poinsettias to tinsel and electrical cords. We wire the tree to the ceiling, hang the breakable ornaments beyond cat swat range, and put wrapped gifts out of the dog’s reach. But how much thought do we give to guest-proofing our pets? Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Keep curious noses out of trouble. Store your guests’ coats, purses and bags in an area that is inaccessible to your pets.

Will guests be letting themselves in and out of your home? A well-placed gate can reduce the risk of your dog bolting and getting lost. Consider securing inside kitties behind a closed door.

Stay in control if you allow guests to give treats to your pets. The rich foods we enjoy during the holidays can cause gastrointestinal upsets or even pancreatitis in our furry companions. Have a limited number of your pet’s regular treats available for your guests to offer instead of table scraps. Adjust the size of your pet’s regular meal if necessary, and break the treats into smaller pieces to help avoid overfeeding.

Stressful situations add up. Even pets that love attention can become overwhelmed by the holiday hustle  and bustle. A sudden noise, a tipsy guest, and a small child pulling an ear can combine to elicit a snap from the mellowest canine. Create a safe zone   to which your pet can retreat, off limits to guests, with comfy bed or blanket, favorite safe toys, and calming music playing.

A little preparation can ensure a happy holiday season for all.

Debbie Wolfe is an avid nature photographer, dog rescue volunteer, and self-employed IT consultant. She lives with her husband and their two rescued English mastiffs in El Granada.