Animal deceleration instead of stress and hectic pace
Eschborn. The first doors of the Advent calendar are open and it has officially started: the pre-Christmas season, which should actually be the most contemplative time of the year. But due to numerous obligations and tasks, the reality is often different for many people. Stress and hecticness rule everyday life, contemplation falls by the wayside. The animal protection organization TASSO, which runs Europe's largest free pet registry and advocates responsible animal husbandry, would like to set a counter-trend here and recommends: exclusive time and mindfulness instead of hunting for presents and the hustle and bustle of Christmas parties.
Especially in times when we have a lot going on, it can quickly happen that the time we spend with our animals is neglected. It is therefore all the more important to consciously pay attention to them. So that it doesn't become an additional chore, this time can also be characterized by a very relaxed get-together: long walks away from the hustle and bustle with the dog or a regular cuddle routine with the cats in the living room at home. Heike Weber, Head of Animal Welfare at TASSO, points out: “Our animals benefit greatly from routines in everyday life. These are often mixed up due to the many Christmas parties, events and errands during the Christmas season. Then come the holidays, which can be additionally stressful for dogs and cats due to visits, and then immediately afterwards New Year's Eve, which is the worst time of the year for many animals. If the energy storage is already empty, the New Year's Eve stress quickly becomes too much.”
So what to do? Pet owners should think about their plans for the coming weeks in good time. When will they not be there? What will be different? What does this mean for your animal and how can compensation or additional exclusive time be created? “Personally, I like to skip a visit to the Christmas market and prefer to stay at home with my dogs and cats,” reveals Weber.
It is also important to pay particular attention to the safety of your four-legged roommates in the last few weeks of the year. On the one hand, this concerns ensuring that the animal is well secured around New Year's Eve, but a home decorated for Christmas can also pose potential dangers. “The popular poinsettia is highly poisonous,” says Weber. Glass decorations on the Christmas tree and real candles can also be dangerous. In summary: Anyone who offers their animals peace, routine and security during Advent supports their well-being and finds some distance from the stress of the holiday.