In most homes, our dogs and cats have free reign over their kingdom. Who can blame them when they spend more time there than we do?
Inevitably, you’ll want to invite friends and family over. Groups of unfamiliar people can make pets uncomfortable, and they may act out. So how can you be prepared for this?
One option for overly nervous and jumpy pets is CBD (cannabinoid oil), a plant based, non-THC supplement that is also safe for human use.
If you want to go a different route, here are some easy solutions for preparing your pets and your house guests to live in perfect harmony, whether it’s for an evening or a few days.
How to Ease Tension Between Your Pet and Your House Guests
Here are a few ways that you can help your pet be more comfortable around the guests that visit your home:
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- Exhaust your dog or cat before guests arrive in your home. According to the Chicago Tribune, a good puppy playdate or long walk can help your dog expend tons of energy before meeting new people or being placed in a secluded area of the home for a long time.
- While you should make your home welcome for guests by putting pet toys and beds to a dedicated area of the home, make sure your pet is comfortable with this temporary arrangement. Sticking your dog in an unfamiliar room or basement will only lead to barking or anxiety.
- Consider leaving your fenced-in yard available for your dog’s enjoyment when guests come for short visits. Adding a doghouse or shady shelter in the backyard can ease any overwhelmed pet. You could also plant dog-friendly flowers and place multiple water bowls in the yard to enhance your pet’s enjoyment of the outdoors.
You can also help your guests by doing the following:
- Make sure to eliminate pet hair from your floor and anywhere your guests will be sitting. While vacuuming is a final step, you can work on eliminating the amount of hair your pet sheds by regular bathing, brushing, and feeding your pet a hair-friendly diet. According to House Method, cleaning surfaces with microfiber cloths, regular dusting, and vacuuming are all methods to clean and regulate pet hair. This will help any visiting guests that have pet dander allergies and prevent them from having to lint brush themselves before they leave.
- Some people tense up as soon as a dog comes near them. Calmly let your guests know that your dog (or adventurous cat) just wants to determine that they’re friendly. Your guests can hold out a hand and let the pet sniff or lick them to get used to their scent. Advise your guests to gently pet the back of your pet instead of going directly for the head area. According to Rover, providing your guests with a treat to offer your pet can help this process.
When in doubt, set boundaries for the situation. Consider training your dog to be around people in advance.
Ask your guests how comfortable they are with dogs jumping up for hugs and cats settling in their lap. They may not be as much of a pet person as you think.
This is especially important to know for overnight house guests who may want to keep pets out of their sleeping space. Respect your guest’s wishes and command your pet to follow the house rules.
How do you ease the tension between your pet and your guests?
I’d love for you to leave a comment below, or better yet, stop by my private Facebook group for dog moms and join in the conversation there.
About the Author:
Kay Pascale is a writer and animal lover from Durham, NC. When she isn’t writing or blogging, she enjoys traveling, practicing photography, and exercising with her dog.
The post How to Ease Tension Between Your Pet and Your House Guests appeared first on The Everyday Dog Mom.
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