Do guests stress out your pets? Here's how to make the next visit easier on them

The familiar ring of a doorbell might seem like a cheerful sound, but it's one that often leads to utter chaos for pet owners. The arrival of a guest can have our furry friends bouncing off the walls with excitement or running to hide. And things can be even trickier when a visitor is over for a while, challenging our pets' sense of safety and comfort for the duration of their stay. 

To figure out how we can help our dogs and cats adjust, we spoke to three experts: Camila Cavalli, a post-doctoral researcher in the University of British Columbia's animal welfare program; Dr. Colleen Fisher, a Manitoba-based veterinarian; and Dr. Shane Bateman, an associate professor in the department of clinical studies at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. 

Here are their tips for setting up an all-round, stress-free experience. 

Practise early for guests' arrival

Before you agree to host anyone, consider if your pet can handle the experience. According to Cavalli, if you have a pet with aggression issues, it may be better to leave them with a trained pet sitter while guests are over — or consider not hosting at all. But if your pet just tends to be a little nervous or overexcited, and you have a month or two before company arrives, the experts agree that some basic training can go a long way toward helping them stay calm. 

One exercise Fisher suggests can help a hyper pet learn to focus their attention on you instead of rushing to the door. Start by holding some treats in a closed fist slightly above or in front of your pet's nose. Wait silently, ignoring any nudging, until your pet pulls back and pauses to take a breath. Once they do, drop the treat into their mouth. As you repeat the exercise, gradually increase the wait time. 

Another exercise Fisher recommends is called "touch targeting," which can be used to make new people seem less threatening to an anxious dog or cat. Begin by holding some treats behind your back in one hand. Next, extend your empty hand toward your pet and wait until they "boop" or touch it with their nose. Reward them with a treat from your other hand. "Over time, [they] can be asked to boop a guest who holds their hand out and return to the pet owner for their reward," said Fisher. 

Gradual exposure exercises can also be helpful if your animal tends to react to strangers with nervousness or fear. Begin by inviting a guest over for 10 minutes and watching how your pet reacts, said Bateman. If their reaction is minimal, increase the exposure time with longer visits to help them prepare for extended stays. 

Just be sure to examine your pet's behaviour as you go through any exercises — and during your guest's visit. Beyond shaking and tucking in their tails, dogs often show subtler signs of discomfort, such as yawning, licking their lips when they haven't eaten and revealing the whites of their eyes — a classic sign of stress known as "whale eye," Cavalli explained. When it comes to cats, Fisher says they'll often retreat to a private space and slowly sway their tail in addition to the usual growling and swatting. 

Owners shouldn't force their animal to interact with people if they're showing signs of wanting to be away. "The idea is not setting [them] up to fail and not putting them in a situation that you know is going to be bad," said Cavalli.

Create a safe space away from guests

Bateman suggests pet owners create a safe space for their animals where they can get away from guests and noise, ideally several weeks before your company arrives so they can get used to it. A comfortable spot in a crate or separate room is particularly crucial for fearful pets and senior animals that may have mobility issues or body pain, said Cavalli.

Bateman recommends creating a "cave-like environment" for dogs and filling it with "lots of toys, blankets — things that are theirs that have their scent on it, that have your scent on it." This will ensure your pup is comfortable and feels as if the space belongs to them. 

When it comes to cats, dark, enclosed spaces are ideal, he says, since their natural instinct is to hide from a threat. You may also want to place their food and litter box nearby, especially if guests are staying overnight.

Consider other aids to keep pets calm

Along with a spot to retreat to, there are a plethora of other aids that may help keep your pet calm when guests are over. Fisher suggests playing soft music, turning on fans or using white noise machines. "[These] can mask some of the 'people sounds' that may stimulate barking in dogs," she explained. 

Bateman suggests reaching out to your vet for advice, since they'll often have valuable insight into how your pet behaves around new people. If your dog or cat tends to get exceptionally anxious, you may also want to speak to them about anti-anxiety supplements or prescription medications. Just be sure to give any medications a test run so you can make sure you're seeing beneficial results and avoiding adverse effects, Fisher advised.

She cautions against using essential oils to help calm your furry friends, since they can be toxic, but mentioned that there are synthetic pheromones made specifically with cats and dogs in mind. "The evidence suggests that some of those [products] can be quite helpful," said Bateman. "Maybe those are things that you invest in if you're going to be having guests for the weekend or a couple of nights over the holidays." 

Stick to their routine 

Sticking to your pet's routine as much as possible will also help them adjust to the situation. Bateman said this is especially important for those with young pets, as puppies and kittens benefit from predictable activities that don't overwhelm them.

So don't forgo your dog's regularly scheduled walks. Cavalli suggests taking your furry friend for a long walk before anyone arrives so they're not full of energy. A tired dog is also less likely to jump on guests or bark, she said. 

Sticking to your animal's schedule also helps maintain their elimination routine. "Fed pets with empty bladders are less likely to have accidents while visitors are present," said Fisher.

Set ground rules with guests

You want to avoid having a guest act or respond to something in a way that triggers a negative behaviour from your pet, so be sure to tell them about your furry friend's unique needs and anxieties. 

For instance, Cavalli recommends telling guests, especially kids, not to touch a pet in ways that could be uncomfortable or painful for them. You may also want to set some limits around loud noises, said Bateman.   

Ground rules can also be helpful when it comes to food. While Cavalli encourages pet owners to pay extra attention so their animal doesn't eat anything harmful — or too much of a good thing — she also suggests telling guests to avoid feeding dogs from their plate. This will help reduce the risk of your pet getting over-excited and mistakenly nipping someone, she said. 

Once you've laid out some expectations, go ahead and enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. Just continue to advocate for your furry family members and, if needed, remind visitors that it's the pet's home, too. After all, "animals are part of the family," said Bateman. "Their needs need to be understood and respected."