Knowing how to help anxious pets through the Black Friday and Christmas delivery rush can make the whole festive season a lot calmer for everyone at home!
Black Friday lands on 27th November this year, with Cyber Monday hot on its heels on the 30th, and from then on the parcels just keep coming right up to Christmas. That means more doorbells, more knocks and more strangers on the doorstep, sometimes several times a day.
For us, it’s the exciting thud of presents arriving. For a jumpy pooch or a timid kitty, it can feel like a non-stop parade of intruders!
The good news is that a few simple changes can take a lot of the drama out of delivery day, so read on!
Why deliveries can rattle our furry friends
The doorbell, the knock and the stranger who never comes in
Doorbells are made to be heard over a busy household, so to sensitive pet ears they sound like a sudden alarm. Footsteps, voices and a rustling parcel usually follow close behind.
Guests come in, say hello and settle down, which gives your pet time to work out they’re friendly. Couriers hover on the doorstep and vanish again before your pet has had a proper sniff. That’s pretty puzzling, and in peak season it can happen several times before teatime!
Why barking can turn into a habit
From your dog’s point of view, barking at the door works a treat. The courier arrives, your dog barks, and the courier leaves. Job done!
Repeat that every day for a month and your dog becomes more convinced each time that they’re the one seeing off the “intruders”. It’s completely normal behaviour, but it keeps your pooch on high alert.
Why cats hide instead
Cats rarely kick up a fuss at the door. They’re more likely to freeze or bolt for the nearest hiding spot, especially if the doorbell catches them mid-nap or mid-meal. A quiet cat isn’t always a relaxed one!
Signs your pet is feeling the parcel pressure
Some pets wear their worries on their sleeve, while others keep them well hidden.
Signs of stress in dogs
- Pacing, panting or whining
- Trembling or trying to hide
- Ears pinned back or tail tucked low
- Barking that’s hard to interrupt
- Struggling to settle long after the courier has gone
Not every doorbell barker is worried, mind. If your dog races to the door with a full-body wiggle, they’re probably just thrilled to meet someone new! These tips are mainly for pups who seem frightened or wound up.
Signs of stress in cats
- Flattened ears and wide, dilated pupils
- Crouching low or a puffed-up tail
- Disappearing under the bed or behind the sofa
- Skipping meals or staying hidden until the house is quiet again
Simple ways to help anxious pets before the doorbell rings
The easiest wins happen before a parcel even reaches your door.
Ask couriers to knock gently or send a text
Most online shops have a delivery instructions box at checkout, so use it! Ask drivers to knock softly or text when they arrive. Nominating a safe place, porch or parcel box means nobody needs to come to the door at all.
Delivery tracking is your friend here too. A quick glance at the app tells you when a parcel is a few stops away, giving you time to settle your pet first. If you have a video doorbell, try switching the chime to silent on busy delivery days.
Block the view of the front path
If your dog has a favourite lookout spot by the window, every passing van is a reason to sound the alarm. Close the front curtains or blinds, or move the sofa they like to perch on. Fewer sightings means fewer triggers!
Set up a cosy spot away from the front door
Pick a quiet room at the back of the house and kit it out with your pet’s bed, a blanket, fresh water and a favourite toy. Popping the radio or TV on low helps soften any knocks and voices.
For cats, add a litter tray, a cardboard box to hide in and somewhere high to perch.
How to help anxious pets stay calm when parcels arrive
When the doorbell does go, a little practice makes all the difference.
Teach a “go to your bed” routine
Give your dog a job to do when someone comes to the door. Teach them that the doorbell means “head to your bed or mat”, then reward them with a tasty treat once they’re there.
Start by playing a recorded doorbell at a low volume and build up gradually. Keep sessions short and upbeat, and if you can squeeze a few in before Black Friday, even better!
Help anxious pets with tasty distractions
A stuffed food toy, a lick mat or a long-lasting chew gives your dog something lovely to focus on while you answer the door. Licking and chewing are naturally soothing, so it’s a win-win!
For cats, try pairing the doorbell with a treat or a quick game with a wand toy. Over time, that “ding-dong” can start to mean something nice.
Stay calm yourself
Pets are brilliant at reading our moods, so a relaxed voice and an unhurried trip to the door go a long way. Try not to shout over the barking or tell your pet off, as this adds to the noise and can make a worried pet feel even more anxious. Praise the calm moments instead!
Keeping the peace through the festive delivery rush
Black Friday is only the start, so it helps to plan for the whole run-up to Christmas.
Keep daily routines steady
Stick to regular mealtimes, walks and playtime, even when the hallway is filling up with boxes. A well-exercised, contented pooch copes far better with the odd interruption, and predictable days help cats feel secure too.
Unbox parcels safely
Tidy away tape, plastic wrap, packing peanuts and ribbon as soon as the box is open, as these can tempt curious teeth. Keep unopened parcels out of reach too, since some festive gifts contain food that isn’t safe for pets.
Do save one empty cardboard box, though. Your cat may well decide it’s the best present of the lot!
Know when to speak to your vet
Most pets settle with a little time and patience. If yours seems very distressed, hurts themselves trying to reach the door, or isn’t improving despite your best efforts, have a chat with your vet about the next steps.
Help anxious pets feel calmer this festive season with VETIQ
A cosy, safe space, a few clever delivery tweaks and plenty of praise will do most of the heavy lifting. For a little extra help when the doorbell won’t stop ringing, our Serene Calming range is here to lend a paw.
Try these for fast-acting support for busy delivery days:
- Serene Calming Ointment: Simply apply a thin layer to your dog’s nose, where it releases a calming pheromone that gets to work within 20 minutes. The effect typically lasts several hours, and there’s no limit on usage, so it’s ideal for when the tracking app says your parcel is a few stops away. Suitable for all dogs, all breeds and all ages.
- Serene Calming Portable Diffuser: This plug-free, battery-free diffuser releases a pheromone into the air to help cats relax naturally, without the sedative effect. It covers 65m² and lasts 30 days, so setting it up in your hallway or your cat’s safe room the week of Black Friday sees them right through to Christmas.
- Serene Calming Drops: An easy daily helper for dogs and cats, packed with essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals to combat tension and stress. Add them to your pet’s food or water through the busiest delivery weeks; they won’t leave your pet drowsy and are safe for long-term use.
For steady, everyday support, the rest of our range has you covered:
- Serene Calming Tablets: Made with natural ingredients to help nervous cats and dogs stay calm, without a sedative effect.
- Serene Calming +Plus Tablets: Formulated for larger or hyperactive dogs, with essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals to combat tension and stress.
- Serene Calming Supplement Chews: Tasty roasted meat flavour chews with L-Tryptophan, chamomile and lemon balm to support relaxation without drowsiness.
- Healthy Treats Serene Calming for Small Dogs & Puppies: Calming treats with chamomile and lemon balm at just 3 calories each, ideal for rewarding a quick trip to bed when the doorbell rings!
- Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Cats: Crispy, cream-filled treats with chamomile, lemon balm and ginger oil, at only 2kcal per treat.
- Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Small Animals: Chamomile, lemon balm and ginger oil help rabbits and guinea pigs relax, at only 4½ calories per bite.
So with a quieter doorbell, a cosy hideaway and a helping paw from Serene Calming, delivery day can be just another happy part of the festive season. Happy (and calm) unboxing!
How to help anxious pets cope with Black Friday & Christmas deliveries FAQs
Q: Why does my dog bark at delivery drivers?
A: From your dog’s point of view, barking works, because the courier leaves every time! We find that teaching a “go to your bed” routine with tasty rewards helps break the habit.
Q: How can I tell if my pet is anxious about deliveries?
A: In dogs, look out for pacing, panting, trembling, ears pinned back and struggling to settle afterwards. Cats tend to hide, flatten their ears or skip meals until the house is quiet again.
Q: How can I stop couriers ringing the doorbell?
A: Use the delivery instructions box at checkout to ask drivers to knock gently or send a text. Nominating a safe place or parcel box means nobody needs to come to the door at all.
Q: Where should my pet be when a parcel arrives?
A: Set up a cosy spot at the back of the house, with their bed, fresh water and a favourite toy. Popping the radio or TV on low helps soften any knocks and voices.
Q: Is parcel packaging safe for pets?
A: Tape, plastic wrap, packing peanuts and ribbon can tempt curious teeth, so tidy them away as soon as a box is open. Also keep unopened parcels out of reach, as some festive gifts contain food that isn’t safe for pets.
Q: When should I speak to my vet about delivery anxiety?
A: Call your vet if your pet seems very distressed, hurts themselves trying to reach the door, or isn’t improving with training. They can talk you through the next steps.
Q: How quickly does Serene Calming Ointment work?
A: It gets to work within 20 minutes, and the effect typically lasts several hours. We suggest applying it to your dog’s nose when the tracking app says a parcel is a few stops away.
Q: When should I set up the Serene Calming Portable Diffuser?
A: We recommend placing it in your hallway or your cat’s safe room the week of Black Friday. It covers 65m² and lasts 30 days, so it will see your cat right through to Christmas.
Q: Can I give my pet Serene Calming Drops every day?
A: Yes! They’re safe for long-term use and won’t leave your pet drowsy, making them an easy daily helper through the busiest delivery weeks.
Q: Can I use more than one Serene Calming product at a time?
A: Absolutely. Serene Calming Ointment can be used alongside the rest of the range, so our pet parents often pair it with daily Drops for extra support on busy delivery days.
