Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital 2009 / In Need of a Long Winter’s Nap?

In Need of a Long Winter’s Nap?

by Shannon Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

You’ve had your last sip of champagne and cleaned up the last piece of confetti. Kwanzaa, Christmas, Chanukah, the New Year—whatever you celebrate over the winter, the big holiday rush if finally coming to a close. The kids have a couple of days or weeks before they have to go back to school or college, and maybe you were able to take a bit of time off work, too. You want nothing more than to plop down on the sofa and enjoy a mindless movie or a good book.

After all, shopping, party planning, schedule-coordinating, and traveling have left many of us pretty darn frazzled by January 2^nd, and we deserve a relaxing break. Our families have earned it! But don’t forget your family pets—our holiday stress can rub off on them as well. If you’ve had a house full of guests or an unusual vacation schedule, you may notice that Polly Parrot is molting, Tabby won’t come out from under the bed, or Fido has been nervously licking his right front paw. You could find that your pets appear stressed and depressed, and you’ll need to help them wind down, too. Try getting Polly a new interactive toy to keep her busy mind appropriately and calmly stimulated. A cozy new bed and a good snuggle session could renew Tabby’s sense of family security. And why not let Fido cuddle up on the couch with you for some ear scratches and belly rubs to remind him that he is still a loved member of the “pack”?

Unfortunately, feather plucking or foot licking can lead to skin problems or infections that toys and belly rubs can’t cure. Also, if Tabby has been in hiding for too long, she may have skipped too many meals or trips to the water bowl. In some cases, the effects of stress need attention beyond some extra TLC. Look for signs of self-inflicted injury, lethargy, unusual timidity, or changes in eating, drinking, urine, or bowel habits that last longer than a day or so—among other out-of-the-ordinary symptoms. The bottom line is that you know your family pets better than anyone else, so if you are concerned for any reason, play it safe and make an appointment with your vet.

We all want to breathe a little easier once we’ve gotten through the holiday pressures. Just don’t forget your pets when your family gets the chance to decompress. Of course, soon enough it’ll be time to plan the perfect gifts and dates for Valentine’s Day…!