The festive season is a wonderful time for families but it can be a challenging time for our pets’ digestive systems. With guests coming and going, food left within reach, extra treats, and unfamiliar foods appearing, it’s very easy for dogs and cats to end up with an upset tummy. Puppies and kittens, with their still-developing digestive systems, are especially vulnerable.
Understanding how digestive upsets happen, what signs to watch for, and how to reduce risk can help keep your pet comfortable throughout the holiday season.
Why Digestive Upsets Are So Common at This Time of Year
Pets are creatures of habit, and their digestive systems cope best with consistency. During the party season, that routine is often disrupted. Table scraps, rich foods, fatty meats, dairy, leftovers, and sweet treats can overwhelm the gut. Dogs in particular are skilled at “hoovering up” anything that hits the floor, while well-meaning guests may slip them an extra snack.
Sudden changes in diet, eating too much at once, or consuming foods their bodies aren’t designed to handle can irritate the gut lining and upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Stress, excitement, and changes to daily routines can also affect digestion.
Puppies and Kittens: Extra Sensitive Tummies
Young animals have immature digestive systems that are still learning how to process food efficiently. Their gut bacteria are developing, and their ability to tolerate dietary changes is limited. Even small amounts of new foods or treats can trigger loose stools or tummy discomfort.
This means puppies and kittens are particularly prone to digestive upsets during busy periods, especially if multiple people are offering treats or if they gain access to food they shouldn’t.
Signs Your Pet May Have a Digestive Upset
Digestive issues can range from mild to more obvious. Common signs include:
Loose stools or diarrhoea
Constipation or straining
Vomiting or regurgitation
Excessive gas or bloating
Gurgling tummy noises
Reduced appetite
Lethargy or discomfort
Scooting or licking around the rear end
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by pain, dehydration, or blood in the stool, veterinary advice should always be sought.
How to Minimise Digestive Risk During the Holidays
A few simple steps can make a big difference:
Stick to regular meals and avoid sudden diet changes
Limit treats, especially rich or fatty foods
Ask guests not to feed your pet
Keep food out of reach, including rubbish bins
Use pet-safe treats only, and introduce any new treats gradually
Maintain hydration, especially when the room is heated.
For puppies and kittens, consistency is particularly important even one “extra” treat can upset their digestion.
Gentle Support When Tummies Are Upset
If your pet does experience a digestive upset, gentle nutritional support can help soothe the gut and restore balance. Better still, keep these in your cupboard for “just in case”.
Fibiotic Pro is a comprehensive digestive support formula combining fibre, soothing botanicals, binding agents and beneficial bacteria. Ingredients such as psyllium husk and oat bran help regulate bowel movements, while bentonite clay can bind toxins and excess fluid. Pumpkin seed, artichoke and blueberry extract support digestive health, and para-probiotics help maintain a healthy gut environment.
Advanced Probiotics is a highly palatable paste suitable from weaning age through to senior pets. It combines probiotics to help replenish beneficial gut bacteria, prebiotics to nourish them, and bentonite clay to help firm stools and absorb toxins. Delivered via an easy-to-use syringe, it’s especially useful when pets are off their food or need quick support.
Digestive Care for Dogs, Cats, Puppies and Kittens provides simple, effective digestive support using bentonite clay alone. This natural binding agent helps absorb excess fluid and toxins in the gut and can be particularly useful for upsets caused by food indiscretion.
A Calm, Happy Holiday for Everyone
Digestive upsets are common during the festive season, but many can be avoided with a little planning and awareness. By keeping routines steady, limiting treats, and having gentle digestive support on hand, you can help your pet enjoy the celebrations comfortably.
Party Season and Poor Tummies: Supporting Your Pet’s Digestion During the Holidays
The festive season is a wonderful time for families but it can be a challenging time for our pets’ digestive systems. With guests coming and going, food left within reach, extra treats, and unfamiliar foods appearing, it’s very easy for dogs and cats to end up with an upset tummy. Puppies and kittens, with their still-developing digestive systems, are especially vulnerable.
Understanding how digestive upsets happen, what signs to watch for, and how to reduce risk can help keep your pet comfortable throughout the holiday season.
Why Digestive Upsets Are So Common at This Time of Year
Pets are creatures of habit, and their digestive systems cope best with consistency. During the party season, that routine is often disrupted. Table scraps, rich foods, fatty meats, dairy, leftovers, and sweet treats can overwhelm the gut. Dogs in particular are skilled at “hoovering up” anything that hits the floor, while well-meaning guests may slip them an extra snack.
Sudden changes in diet, eating too much at once, or consuming foods their bodies aren’t designed to handle can irritate the gut lining and upset the balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Stress, excitement, and changes to daily routines can also affect digestion.
Puppies and Kittens: Extra Sensitive Tummies
Young animals have immature digestive systems that are still learning how to process food efficiently. Their gut bacteria are developing, and their ability to tolerate dietary changes is limited. Even small amounts of new foods or treats can trigger loose stools or tummy discomfort.
This means puppies and kittens are particularly prone to digestive upsets during busy periods, especially if multiple people are offering treats or if they gain access to food they shouldn’t.
Signs Your Pet May Have a Digestive Upset
Digestive issues can range from mild to more obvious. Common signs include:
If symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by pain, dehydration, or blood in the stool, veterinary advice should always be sought.
How to Minimise Digestive Risk During the Holidays
A few simple steps can make a big difference:
For puppies and kittens, consistency is particularly important even one “extra” treat can upset their digestion.
Gentle Support When Tummies Are Upset
If your pet does experience a digestive upset, gentle nutritional support can help soothe the gut and restore balance. Better still, keep these in your cupboard for “just in case”.
Fibiotic Pro is a comprehensive digestive support formula combining fibre, soothing botanicals, binding agents and beneficial bacteria. Ingredients such as psyllium husk and oat bran help regulate bowel movements, while bentonite clay can bind toxins and excess fluid. Pumpkin seed, artichoke and blueberry extract support digestive health, and para-probiotics help maintain a healthy gut environment.
Advanced Probiotics is a highly palatable paste suitable from weaning age through to senior pets. It combines probiotics to help replenish beneficial gut bacteria, prebiotics to nourish them, and bentonite clay to help firm stools and absorb toxins. Delivered via an easy-to-use syringe, it’s especially useful when pets are off their food or need quick support.
Digestive Care for Dogs, Cats, Puppies and Kittens provides simple, effective digestive support using bentonite clay alone. This natural binding agent helps absorb excess fluid and toxins in the gut and can be particularly useful for upsets caused by food indiscretion.
A Calm, Happy Holiday for Everyone
Digestive upsets are common during the festive season, but many can be avoided with a little planning and awareness. By keeping routines steady, limiting treats, and having gentle digestive support on hand, you can help your pet enjoy the celebrations comfortably.