Party Time! How to Entertain While Keeping Pets Safe

These 8 tips will help keep your pets safe and happy during events and gatherings. 

It’s fun to have neighbors, friends, and family together for a picnic, holiday celebration or a big sports event. One thing that may be overlooked, though, is keeping pets safe when entertaining large groups. With new people, sights, and sounds – as well as many foods and beverages – there are multiple ways for pets to get into trouble.

Here, IAMS pet specialist Tiffany L Bierer shares eight simple tips to help keep pets safe.

1. Create a chaos-free start to the evening.

If you know your pet gets easily agitated or frightened when you have people over, it may be better to crate them, at least temporarily. Keep them in a safe, controlled space until people have arrived, the doorbell has stopped ringing and the noise level is at a reasonable volume. 

2. We know it’s tempting, but don’t treat pets to people food. 

Many foods can be toxic to pets, including onions, grapes, garlic, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, avocados, diet foods (containing artificial sweeteners) and many nuts. Bones are also a danger because they can cause blockages or perforations if eaten. It’s better to just keep human foods and snacks out of reach! Instead, have pet-appropriate food on hand like IAMS dry dog or cat food. Feed your pet before the party gets started, or simply have some dry kibble on hand for treating. 

3. Have a chat with guests about pet safety.

If friends, neighbors, or party guests will be going in and out of your home, let them know you have pets in case they have allergies or are afraid of animals. This is also a good time to share that you take pet safety seriously! Let them know not to let pets outside and that you don’t want your pets to eat people food or beverages. Check out this other helpful resource about keeping the holidays pet friendly.

4. Be mindful of the noise level. (Your neighbors will thank you, too!) 

Pets can be frightened by loud sounds, so be sure to moderate the noise level at your party. If your pet becomes agitated with loud noises, keep them in a secure room away from the activity. Leaving a radio or TV on at a low level in that room may help to reduce stress and mask noise.

5. No dumpster diving! Keep pets away from party waste. 

Have covered trash cans around for guests. Remind guests to throw paper plates, cups, and napkins away, rather than leaving them on tables or chairs. Have guests bring non-disposable tableware directly to the kitchen sink or counter so pets can’t snag the leftovers. A key part of pet safety when entertaining is periodically walking around the house to gather waste materials that may not have been disposed of properly. It makes you a great host, and it keeps your pet safe. Win-win. 

6. Create a secure, safe space pets can easily access.

Make sure your pet has a place to relax or hide out if they start to get overwhelmed. An easily-accessible pet bed or crate should do the trick. Cats will generally seek out a safe hiding place on their own. Not sure if your dog is unhappy or feeling stressed with all the company? Our Happy Pet Handbook (PDF)(open in new tab) contains pictures of different dog body language and what it means, so you can read your dog and do your part to help keep them comfortable. 

7. Appoint a “pet watcher” to help you keep an eye on pets.

We all have at least one friend who adores our pet. Maybe they want a dog but don’t have one yet. Or maybe they’ve known your cat as long as they’ve known you. Choose an adult you trust and ask that person to help as a pet watcher when you have guests. They can help make sure pets don’t eat what they shouldn’t, get into trouble, or accidently get outside. Any animal lover would be happy to take on this job at the party. 

8. Secure your pet before saying goodbye to guests. 

Even our beloved pets may not want the party to end! To prevent your pet from following partygoers out the door, put your pet back in their crate or in a secure room as you’re saying goodbye to guests. If your friends are pet lovers, have them say their goodbyes and give pets and snuggles before pets are safely secured.

A little planning goes a long way to helping keep pets safe any time you entertain. We hope these tips help. Have a great time!