Top 3 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season in Durham

The holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for travel, gatherings, and festive home decorating, making it one of the most critical times to plan for reliable pet care in advance. Of course, Bull City Pet Care is here to ensure your pets stay safe, comfortable, and happy while you’re away. Preparing your home and your holiday décor before your sitter arrives not only helps us care for your pets smoothly, but also keeps your furry family members safe from tempting hazards. Here are our top 3 tips for a stress-free holiday season in Durham.

1) Reserve Pet Care as Soon as Your Travel Plans Are Set

Holiday schedules fill quickly, which is why we encourage families to reserve services as soon as travel dates are confirmed. Early booking ensures:

• Availability during peak holiday demand; the winter holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for pet sitting requests
• Adequate time for our team to review instructions or schedule a meet-and-greet if you’re a new client
• Smoother planning on our end so we can match your household with the best sitter for your location and pets’ needs

By securing your dates early, you help us provide the most seamless, attentive service possible. You also avoid the stress of last-minute scheduling during an already busy season. Or, worse, the stress of having to make alternate arrangement if we’re booked. Schedule here!

2) Prepare Your Pet Supplies for Your Pet Sitter

Before heading out of town, set up your home for a seamless visit. Clear instructions, organized supplies, and a tidy routine help your sitter give consistent, high-quality care. We recommend:

• Complete feeding, medication, and potty routines in your pet profile(s): Consistency reduces stress, especially for senior pets or those with anxiety.
• Stock up on enough food, litter, and medications for your entire trip plus a little extra in case of travel delays: We can run errands for you but because the holidays are so busy, there could be delays, making it best for everyone if you stock up early.
• Verify emergency contacts in your client profile: Include your veterinarian, a local friend or neighbor that can step in if there is a weather event that makes driving unsafe, and a pet guardian who can take over your pet’s care if you are delayed.
• Test door locks, alarms, and keypads and update instructions in your client profile as needed: Ensure your sitter can come and go without issues by troubleshooting any possible issues before departure.

These simple steps give us all the details needed to keep your pets relaxed and happy. If you run into any questions or concerns while preparing, know we’d be happy to work with you to set our team up for success. Contact us as detailed below.

3) Make Holiday Decor Pet-Safe

Holiday decorations add sparkle to the season, but many traditional décor items can pose risks to pets. Before your departure, walk through your home and check for common hazards:

• Secure or block access to Christmas trees: Cats may climb, dogs may tug, and both can tip trees over. A sturdy base and strategic placement can prevent accidents. There is a product called TipNot that adheres to your tree’s base and your floor to keep your tree in place. It works with a variety of tree bases and can be used on several flooring types. I also know people who use a Command hook or screw with taut fishing wire to secure a tree to the wall. While not foolproof, counterweights like this may keep Christmas trees standing while you’re away.
• Avoid tinsel. Veterinarians often warn that “linear foreign bodies,” such as tinsel, can cause dangerous intestinal blockages if swallowed, especially in cats. Your cat may not show any interest in your decor while you’re around, but boredom and loneliness can lead it to engage in risky behaviors to entertain or soothe itself.
• Keep delicate ornaments out of reach. Glass ornaments can shatter and cause injury.
• Avoid scented decor and toxic plants: Scented or food-like ornaments may tempt curious noses; decor and seasonal plants like poinsettias, lilies, mistletoe, and holly berries can cause GI upset or worse if pets nibble on them. Place them high, place outdoors, or opt for pet-safe alternatives.
• Place lights and cords safely. Tape down or conceal electrical cords to prevent chewing or accidental entanglement.

Taking these precautions creates a safer environment for your pets and gives you and your sitter confidence that holiday hazards are minimized.

Why Choose Bull City Pet Care for Your Holiday Travel?

Bull City Pet Care proudly serves families across Durham with dependable in-home pet sitting tailored to each pet’s needs. During the holidays, when routines shift and stress levels rise, our experienced, background-checked sitters provide comfort, supervision, enrichment, and regular updates so you can travel with complete peace of mind.

Whether your pet needs daily walks, medication support, or litter scooping while you’re away, our team is dedicated to providing exceptional, compassionate care!

Top 3 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday Season in Durham

As stated above, holiday schedules are filling quickly! We encourage both new and returning clients to reserve their dates as soon as possible.

Join the Bull City Pet Care family by contacting us via bullcitypetsitting@gmail.com or 919-740-7481. We offer dog walking, cat sitting, and specialty services. You can also get started by clicking this link to schedule your meet and greet.

We proudly serve the following areas of Durham: Downtown, Lakewood, Tuscaloosa, Old West Durham, Old North Durham, Northgate Park, Watts-Hillandale, Trinity Park, Duke Park, Erwin/LaSalle, North Durham, Southside, Croasdaile, Walltown, Braggtown, Historic East Durham, Hope Valley, and Forest Hills.