Small Pets and Christmas Festivities
Helping Your Small Pets Through the Festive Season
The festive season is full of fun, family time and cosy moments — but for our small pets, it can also bring lots of change. Extra visitors, louder homes, new decorations and different routines can all feel overwhelming. Rabbits and guinea pigs are prey animals, and even though they live safely with us, their instincts still tell them that unfamiliar things might be dangerous.
At Supreme Petfoods, we know just how much you love your little companions. In fact, 82% of rabbit owners say their pet helps support their mental wellbeing, and over half feel they benefit physically too.¹ But even the most caring owners can sometimes feel unsure about spotting or easing stress. The good news? A few simple steps can make a big difference.
Why Small Pets Hide Stress
Rabbits and guinea pigs are amazingly good at pretending everything is fine, even when it isn’t. In the wild, showing weakness can attract predators, so they’ve evolved to mask stress until it becomes too much. A rabbit sitting quietly or a guinea pig becoming unusually still might actually be feeling anxious.
And stress doesn’t just affect mood — it can affect physical health too. In rabbits, for example, stress is a major factor in gastric stasis, a serious condition that needs urgent care.
With more pets living indoors — 55% of rabbit owners say their rabbits live mainly inside —³ they’re increasingly exposed to the hustle and bustle of family life. At Christmas, this can be magnified.
Signs Your Pet Might Be Feeling Stressed
• Hiding more than usual
• Not wanting to be picked up
• Eating or drinking less
• Smaller or fewer poos
• Sudden grumpiness or aggression
• Sitting still with wide eyes, tense ears or a stiff posture
If you notice unusual behaviours, always chat to your vet for advice.
Helping Your Pets Feel Calm During Christmas
A few thoughtful tweaks can make your home feel more peaceful for your small pets:
• Keep bonded companions together
• Stick to your usual feeding and cleaning routine as closely as possible
• Place hutches or enclosures away from busy hallways
• Add deep bedding and cosy hideaways so pets can retreat when things get busy
Simple options like cardboard tunnels, fleece hides or covered beds can offer a safe space when guests arrive.
Many pet parents also look for natural, gentle ways to support calmness. Ingredients such as chamomile and lemon balm are popular choices. Chamomile contains apigenin, which interacts with calming receptors in the brain,⁴ while lemon balm influences chemicals linked to relaxation.⁵ These ingredients are non-sedating, offering a sense of gentle ease without making pets drowsy.
Our Science Selective Calm & Relax Care Supplements blend these calming botanicals into a tasty, species-appropriate treat — ideal for helping your pet navigate Christmas gatherings, travel or New Year celebrations.
Quick Calm Checklist
• Keep pets with their bonded friend
• Maintain normal routines
• Provide hideouts and deep bedding
• Offer unlimited good-quality hay
• Encourage foraging and enrichment
• Try natural calming treats
• Contact your vet if you’re worried
Enrichment: A Wonderful Winter Boredom-Buster
Rabbits and guinea pigs love to explore and forage, and enrichment is one of the best gifts you can give them. Unlimited, good-quality hay is essential — it keeps their digestive system healthy and encourages natural grazing behaviour. Our Science Selective Timothy Hay is a great choice and is exclusive to specialist retailers.
Chew toys, edible tunnels, hay feeders and forage mixes all help keep curious minds active. Even simple DIY ideas such as stuffing hay into toilet rolls or hiding nuggets around the enclosure can bring hours of entertainment.
A Happier, Calmer Festive Season
Christmas and New Year can be exciting — and a little chaotic — for small pets, but with a few gentle changes, you can help them feel secure and relaxed. At Supreme, we’re here to support you every step of the way with high-fibre diets, tasty treats and calming, plant-based supplements designed specially for the species you love.
Here’s to a peaceful, pet-friendly festive season for the whole family.
