The holidays have a way of sweeping us up in the excitement—glittering décor, extra-special meals, travel plans, houseguests, the works. It’s a joyful kind of chaos…though if you share your home with a four-legged friend, they might experience this chaos a little differently.
Our pets don’t have the context we do. They just know the house smells different, the schedule is off, there are suitcases out, and someone keeps singing Mariah Carey again.
So this guide is less about making your pet’s experience “festive” and more about making them feel safe, comfortable, and included, all while keeping our environmental footprint a little lighter during a season that tends to crank up the waste.
Start With Comfort (Because This Season Can Be Loud)
Imagine, for a second, experiencing the holidays at ankle height.
Doorbells. Timers going off. Suitcases dragging. Kids running. Packages arriving. Someone’s roasting something that smells incredible, but that you are absolutely not allowed to eat.
It’s…a lot.
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That’s why one of the best gifts we can give our pets this time of year is a predictable, cozy space. Something that feels like home even when everything else feels different.
For dogs and cats, that can be as simple as setting up a quiet corner with their bed, a favorite toy, and a soft place to retreat when they’ve had enough mingling. If your pet is sensitive to noise or you’re hosting this year, creating a “calm room” where they can escape the action is a small act of kindness that makes a huge difference.
An organic dog bed and organic dog pillow work especially well here because they’re supportive, breathable, and made with clean materials that won’t off-gas or trap heat. And if you’re looking for a longer-lasting upgrade, this wood dog bed frame keeps everything elevated, sturdy, and beautifully out of the way (the pet equivalent of having a really good guest room).
And if your pet is easily overwhelmed, try giving them a “job”.
A frozen treat to work on in a separate room. A snuffle mat made from old fabric. A DIY lick mat using something you already have (like a silicone baking sheet with a smear of pumpkin or yogurt). These small activities help pets self-soothe while the chaos stays in the other room.
Holiday Travel…But Pet-Friendly
Traveling with pets requires about three times more planning and eight times more snacks. They don’t care about your flight time or your sister’s guest room; they care about routine. Familiar smells. Their spot.
If you’re heading out of town, bring whatever makes “home” feel portable, like their bed or bolster if you’re traveling by car, a blanket from the couch, their regular bowls, and a toy that still smells delightfully like home. Pets rely heavily on scent, so those familiar items help calm their nervous systems in new environments.
When you can, try sticking with reusables instead of last-minute single-use buys. Old towels work great for lining car seats or crates. Stainless steel or silicone travel bowls beat the disposable ones. And a washable travel bag or reusable Tupperware for their food helps cut down on waste.And, most importantly: build in breaks.
A short walk before a long car ride. A few minutes outside after you arrive. A chance to shake off the nerves, sniff the unfamiliar air, and reset. Pets don’t need elaborate plans, just small pockets of normalcy.
Read More: Home for the Holidays: Finding Comfort Wherever You Land
Keep Holiday Meals Safe (and Still Special)
Pets begging for holiday food is practically a tradition. The look. The paw on the knee. The silent performance of “I haven’t eaten in three years.”
You can absolutely make the holidays feel special for them, just in safe, intentional ways.
Even simple foods like plain cooked pumpkin, green beans, or a little unseasoned turkey can feel like a treat. If you’re trying to curb food waste, you can also turn veggie scraps into a simple broth for your dog: simmer carrot ends, celery tops, parsley, and water; strain; freeze into cubes. It’s delicious, hydrating, and saves scraps from the trash.
Just remember to avoid the usual hazards: chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, alcohol, and anything overly salty or fatty. Their bodies process food differently than we do, and the holiday ER vet visit is not on anyone’s wish list.
Sustainable Pet Gifting (That They’ll Actually Like)
Pets don’t care about complicated toys. What they care about is chewing, tugging, sniffing, and destroying something joyfully.
You can absolutely keep things both fun and sustainable:
- Braid an old T-shirt into a rope toy.
- Make homemade treats or freeze a lick mat with delicious and healthy things you already have on hand, like peanut butter, yogurt, and blueberries.
- If buying new toys, look for natural rubber, wool, organic cotton ropes, or upcycled materials.
It’s shockingly easy to avoid plastic-heavy toys that rip in five minutes and end up in the trash. And honestly, most pets love the DIY versions more anyway because they smell like home and feel familiar in their mouths.
Rethink Holiday Décor With Pets in Mind
If you’ve ever shared a home with a cat during December, you already know that a perfectly decorated tree is basically an invitation.
Sparkly ornaments? New toys.
Dangling garlands? Enrichment.
A cardboard box from a recent delivery? Their new address.
And dogs aren’t immune to the holiday curiosity either, especially when decorations suddenly show up at snout level.
The trick isn’t to eliminate the festive feeling (or the fun). It’s to choose décor that’s less fragile, less tempting, and easier on the planet, while setting things up in a way that keeps pets safe.
Try leaning into natural textures and simple materials this season, not because they’re edible (they’re not!) but because they’re sturdier, less breakable, and usually free of glitter, coatings, and the tiny pieces pets love to bat around or chew apart. Think: paper stars, dried orange slices, twine, evergreen clippings, wooden ornaments, or felted wool pieces placed higher up on the tree.
If you have a cat who sees your tree as their personal climbing gym, a few small adjustments go a long way. Placing the most fragile ornaments out of reach, try to avoid tinsel (it’s pretty, but a hazard for both cats and dogs), and secure your tree base so a late-night zoomies session doesn’t turn into a full timber moment.
And skip the heavily scented candles and plug-ins if you can. Strong artificial fragrances can irritate pets’ respiratory systems, especially in winter when windows stay closed. Unscented beeswax candles or a simple stovetop simmer pot with citrus peels, cloves, and cinnamon sticks add warmth without overwhelming sensitive noses. A little thoughtfulness helps you keep the cozy glow of the holidays…without making your living room feel like a tactical operation to keep your pet from eating the décor.
Their Joy Counts, Too
At the heart of all of this is something simple: Our pets are part of the family.
They deserve a holiday season that feels good for them, too…warm, familiar, safe, and full of small joys.
Sometimes that looks like a slow morning walk before the house fills up.
Sometimes it’s giving them a cozy place to hide from the noise.
Sometimes it’s packing their bed so they can curl up safely in someone else’s home.
And sometimes, it’s just making sure they’re not eating half the cheese board.
The holidays are big, bright, and alive. With a little intention (and some sustainable swaps where they fit naturally), we can help our pets navigate the season with ease.
And if that means they end up snoring in their quiet corner while the rest of the house is still playing charades? Well, that sounds about right.
Read More: How to Make a Holiday Simmer Pot
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