5 Safety Tips for Holiday Pet Sitting

As pet sitters, we know that hosting pets can be one of the most joyful parts of the holiday season, whether you’re welcoming guest pups into your home, house sitting for pets in theirs, or keeping up with regular walks and drop-ins. But the holidays can also bring a little extra chaos: visitors coming and going, busy schedules, decorations, and seasonal hazards that can be dangerous for pets.

We’re here to help, with a list of tips and troubles to watch out for to keep your holidays safe and stress-free.

Gather Information on Your Rover Pets Ahead of Time

A little detective work before care begins can go a long way toward keeping the holidays relaxing. Check out your Rover pets’ profiles, come prepared with questions for the meet and greet, and send a quick message to the owner about things that might come up during the holidays.

Consider asking ahead of time about:

• Behavior around guests (if you’re hosting)
• Behavior around children (if you’re hosting)
• Escape tendencies
• Past experience with decorations (trees, candles, plants, etc.)
• Counter surfing tendencies
• An extra emergency contact who’s not traveling with your Rover pet’s owner

Even if an owner says their pet hasn’t had issues in the past, that doesn’t guarantee the holidays won’t bring new surprises. But gathering this info can give you a head start on spotting and preparing for potential challenges.

Double Down on Escape-Proofing

The winter holidays see a spike in pet escapes, with doors left open by guests, delivery distractions, and the general hustle and bustle of a busy household.

Consider making your space extra secure with:

• Baby gates. Great for pets who might sneak past open doors. Extra-tall gates are a good fit for cats.
• A sign on the door. Ask delivery people not to knock or ring the bell, if repeat disturbances are proving stressful.
• Windows closed. Even a small opening can tempt a curious or stressed pet to escape.
• Backyard off limits. Unless you’re out there supervising.
• Reflective or light-up collars. Helpful for staying visible on night potty trips.
• Leashes indoors. Your Rover pet may think it’s strange, but a leash during a busy party is a great way to prevent escapes.
• Crates or cozy rooms. A safe retreat is the best option for pets who might be stressed enough by a holiday event to make a break for it.

If a pet does slip out the door unattended, get help quickly. When you call Rover, you get advice on the best techniques for quickly recovering your runaway, and also the assistance of our partner organizations that are experts in dog safety. We’re here 24/7 at 888-727-1140.

Pet-Proof the Decorations

Decorations are another hazard of the season—and a big factor in the holiday spike in emergency vet calls. Wondering what needs pet-proofing? Here’s a common holiday short-list:

• Pet-proof Christmas trees. Consider opting for for an artificial tree, getting a sturdier stand, securing cords with cord covers, placing fragile ornaments higher up, and skipping the tinsel for your cat friends.
• Be careful with edible ornaments. Salt dough decorations and similar treats may look tempting to a pet, but they can cause dangerous sodium toxicity if eaten.
• Keep gifts out of reach. Ribbon, wrapping paper, and treats inside packages are all hazards.
• Beware of wagging tails near candles. Open flames and pets don’t mix—consider switching to electric candles for safety.
• Skip or relocate holiday plants. Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe, pine, and amaryllis can be toxic to dogs and cats.
• Outdoor décor caution. Avoid backyard decorations or supervise pets closely when they’re outside.

If your Rover pet ingests something they shouldn’t have, don’t wait to get help. Call Rover Support to get connected with an emergency vet and learn next steps, whether that’s monitoring at home or heading to the emergency clinic. Rover Support is available 24/7 at 888-727-1140.

Watch Out for Dangerous Holiday Foods

From turkey dinners to cookie trays, the holidays are full of tasty temptations for both people and pets. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most common times for dogs and cats to sneak a bite of something that can send them straight to the emergency vet.

Here are a few holiday food safety tips:

• Know which foods are dangerous. Bones, gravy, mac and cheese, stuffing, fried foods, tamale wrappers, candy, garlic, grapes, raisins, onions, and sour cream are all off-limits holiday foods.
• Ask the pet owner before sharing any food. Even “safe” holiday foods may not be okay if a pet has allergies or health conditions.
• Block kitchen access. Baby gates can keep pets away from the holiday cooking action.
• Manage mealtime. A leash during dinner or a puzzle toy in another room can prevent sneaky table feeding from happening.

Even with your best efforts, pets can sometimes find their way into foods they shouldn’t. It helps to know the warning signs so you can act quickly.

Here are some signs a pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Lethargy or unusual behavior
• Blood in stool
• Excessive drooling

If you think your Rover pet has gotten into unsafe food, don’t wait to see if it passes. Rover Support (888-727-1140) can connect you with an emergency vet to figure out next steps, whether that’s monitoring at home or heading to the clinic.

Have Fun!

Don’t forget the best part of holiday pet sitting: enjoying the season with your Rover pets! With a little creativity, you can keep them safe and make the holidays feel special.

• Try some pet-friendly holiday treats. As long as new snacks are okay for your guest, whip up something festive! Need ideas? Try dog-safe Sweet Potato Casserole, Pumpkin Pie Treats, or Leftover Turkey Meatballs. For cats, there’s Pumpkin No-Spice Latte, “Cheesy” Holiday Cat Treats, or Push Pop Pumpkin Cat Treats.
• Dress them up (safely). A holiday bandana, bowtie, or collar can bring some holiday cheer. Just be sure it’s pet-safe and supervise them carefully while they’re wearing it.
• Snap and share. Send the owner a photo of their pet enjoying the holidays, whether it’s under the tree, curled up by the fire, or happily chewing a holiday treat.
• Include them in the festivities. Let dogs “help” unwrap their own toy or chew in pet-safe wrapping, or hide small treats for a holiday-themed scavenger hunt.
• Take a holiday stroll. Evening walks to admire lights and decorations can be a fun outing, especially with reflective gear for safety.
• Make a cozy retreat. Create a comfy corner with blankets, toys, and maybe a holiday playlist (it’s true—some pets find music calming!).

Happy holidays, and here’s to safe, joyful celebrations!