Thanksgiving is right around the corner; and the best way to give thanks for your pets is to keep them safe! Here are some tips to ensure your Thanksgiving is a ‘fulfilling’ occasion for both you and your pets:
No pets in the kitchen!
A hungry pet can get in a lot of trouble wandering around the kitchen, in search of yummy foods! Beware! Flavorful Thanksgiving foods can sometimes cause gastrointestinal upset and more, if eaten in large amounts.
THANKSGIVING FOODS TO AVOID:
• Cooked bones ⎯ they can splinter and lead to severe blockages in your pet’s intestines
• Chocolate ⎯ extremely toxic; often causes vomiting, seizures, and elevated heart rate
• Onions & Garlic ⎯ toxic in all forms (fresh, cooked, dried, powdered); causes damage to red blood cells
• Raisins & Grapes ⎯ even in the smallest amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney failure
• Sage, Nutmeg & Cinnamon ⎯ when ingested can lead to difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, and diarrhea
• Xylitol ⎯ can be found in some peanut butter; be sure to read your ingredients list
• Stuffing & Gravy ⎯ too fatty for your pups; and sometimes contain toxic ingredients such as: mushrooms, sage, onions
• Nuts ⎯ specifically walnuts and macadamia nuts; can cause neurological symptoms
No booze hounds!
Keep all alcoholic beverages or open containers out of paw’s reach. Rum-soaked desserts or unbaked dough containing yeast can also result in alcohol poisoning, which can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature.
Stuff yourself, not the pets!
It is best to keep your Thanksgiving meal separate from your pet; however, if you decide to feed your pet a few nibbles of turkey, make sure it’s free of bones and well-cooked – raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria, which is harmful to pets.
THANKSGIVING FOODS YOUR PETS CAN EAT:
• Small amounts of white turkey or chicken meat ⎯ avoid dark meats
• A scoop of canned or fresh pumpkin ⎯ not pumpkin pie mix or filling
• Plain vegetables ⎯ green beans, spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes are OK!
• Small bits of bread (no butter or raw dough please!)
Take out the trash!
This is one risk that is often forgotten. It may be tempting for your pet to knock the trashcan over and treat themselves to leftovers. Carcass parts should be double-bagged and disposed immediately. Also, be cautious of the different food wrappings. Pieces of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, or strings from the turkey can become dangerous toys for frisky felines.