How safely to celebrate the New Year with four-legged friends

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Most pets (cats, dogs, boas, raccoons, parrots and others) go missing on New Year's Eve. Learn how to keep your pet safe and have fun celebrating the New Year — 5 Tips.

Do you want to know what to do with your pet on New Year's Eve? The New Year's Eve is a time when people cheer, loud music and louder fireworks. Who doesn't like it? Pets. Noisy holidays like Halloween, Christmas and New Year are potentially dangerous for pets: crowds, loud music, as well as firecrackers and fireworks — all this drives our pets crazy. Read on to find out how to keep your beloved dog, raccoon, or cat in peace for the New Year.

Why do pets disappear on holidays?

Some statistics: according to the German animal welfare organization TASSO¹, the night of December 31 to January 1 is the only night of the year in which more pets go missing in Europe than on any other night of the year. In the United States, there is another day that pets go missing, it is the Fourth of July (Thanksgiving Day).

Fireworks, crowd noise and loud music can turn even the most courageous dog into a frightened puppy. When your dog is scared, he has an instinct to run to hide. Pets run away on New Year's Eve for the following reasons:

1. Loud sounds.
2. Large crowds of people.
3. Unfamiliar surroundings.
4. Changing its daily routine.

Under these circumstances, your pet will run away to hide as soon as possible. That is why it is important to follow the tips below so that your pet can happily celebrate the New Year with you.

What to do on New Year's Eve with a four-legged friend?

To calmly spend the Old Year and happily meet the New one, the main thing is to be guided by common sense and the interests of your pet. Keep an eye on your pet in the evening and be especially careful when he starts to show signs of anxiety due to the increasing noise. His nervous demeanor is a sign that it's time to take action.

1) Make sure your pet is physically and emotionally engaged.

One way to make your dog calmer on New Year's night is to tire him out during the day. On the eve of the holiday, walk your dog longer than usual, in general — increase its physical activity and do not allow sleep during the day. When tired during the day, your pet is guaranteed to want to sleep in the evening. Close it in the most soundproof room and have a happy New Year!

2) Equip a pet room.

If you are expecting noisy guests for the New Year, think in advance where your pet will be during the holiday. Choose the farthest room from guests to set up a temporary shelter for your pet. Furnish the room with things and toys that are familiar to your pet, they will give the animal confidence.

But if you are going to visit for New Year yourself, you should find a friend or family member (with a more relaxed New Year's plan than yours) who can look after your pet.

3) Keep your pet away from toxic substances.

Keep in mind that during the holidays, your pet is more likely to eat something unusual, such as broken Christmas decorations, or drink something toxic — alcohol. Therefore, hide the following items, drinks and foods out of the reach of pets:

• Alcohol.
• Fireworks, sparklers, firecrackers.
• Chocolate.
• Cigarettes and drugs.
• Chemicals.
• Toxic indoor plants.
• Salty snacks.
• Meat with bones.

Your dog may be injured or poisoned by eating or drinking any of the above. For example, alcohol entering a dog's stomach causes a drop in blood pressure and an increase in body temperature, as a result, death.

4) Distract your pet.

Pets are very curious creatures. To keep your pet's excitement from playing out on the holiday evening, find alternative ways to entertain it, such as buying a new toy. So, if the dog has something new to play with, he is unlikely to worry about what is happening around.

5) Spend time together.

Try to spend as much time as possible with your pet on New Year's Eve. Since pets can be especially nervous on this day, try to communicate more with them — this will calm them down. As communication, for example, with a dog — play hide-and-seek or "detectives". Treat her to something especially tasty and take a walk in the evening.

Happy New Year, friends!