There are more holidays celebrated by more people in November and December than at any other time of the year.

It's definitely enough to stress us out, but have you ever wondered if your pets get stressed, too?

The answer is yes, and when you look at the holidays through their eyes, it's easy to see why.

There are a few things that can seem overwhelming to them. Take a look:


Guests

Whether staying for a visit or just dropping in for a party, whether known or unknown to your pet, holiday guests probably raise your pets' anxiety levels.

Holiday goodies

Unusual types or amounts of food can unsettle tummies.

It's hard to resist sharing our holiday treats in a festive atmosphere, but it's important to be aware of the dangers of human food – holidays or not.

Irregular schedules

Lack of exercise can lead to stress in pets as well as people, and some of tend to slack off when our schedules get hectic.

All decked out

Decorations are nothing but foreign objects to pets.

Can you imagine what they think when we rearrange the furniture, drag in that tall green thing and add blinking lights?

Travel plans

Holidays may mean travel for some of us and our pets – not always a welcomed activity for our shyer pets.

If hitting the road this season is in your plans, check out my pet travels tips here.

When the holiday routine gets out of hand for us, and we get grumpier and less relaxed, our pets sense that everything isn't quite as at it should be.

So it's really no wonder they can exhibit signs of stress, too.

What to look for

When you assess your pet's stress level, look for decreased appetite, increased hiding, irritable behaviors such as growling, snapping, hissing and swatting, excessive whining or meowing, house-soiling and destructive behavior.

These types of changes in their normal demeanor can be a signal to you that they are feeling anxious.

The prescription for holiday stress in pets is the same one we should use for ourselves.

First, maintain a normal routine as much as possible.

Regular meals at regular times and proper exercise will make any of us feel better.

I also recommend you take some extra time to relax with your pet quietly.

Do you know that stroking your pet not only lowers their blood pressure, but yours also?

Holidays can be fun for all of us, including our pets, if we remember to take some moments to relax and enjoy!

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Dr. Berry owns and operates the Skillman Animal Clinic which offers medical and surgical services for dogs and cats.

The clinic is located in the Lake Highlands Plaza shopping center at 9661 Audelia Road, Suite 340.

Readers can submit questions to Dr. Berry by commenting on her articles or emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Lead photo © Aneta Blaszczyk