Thanksgiving Safety: Foods to Avoid Giving Your Pets
For a season that hinges on giving, caring, and sharing, it’s also a time that signals a need for extreme scrutiny and restrictions. We only mean this as it applies to Thanksgiving pet safety. In order to achieve safety this time of year, we have to get really comfortable saying “no” or “off” or “get down.” It’s not all about imposing strict limits, though. When Thanksgiving pet safety is placed at the top of the heap, you can involve your pet in little ways that go far with them (and keep them out of the ER).
What’s Off-Limits?
There are specific Thanksgiving pet hazards that must be stored and displayed with your pet’s abilities in mind. For example, it may not be enough to simply keep toxic foods on the countertops; if you have an athletic or motivated pet, they likely will not see this as a deterrent. A possible alternative to installing super high shelves might be baby gates. This way your pet can still observe the food preparation, but the temptation to jump up is greatly reduced.
The Thanksgiving foods that cause the most problems in pets are:
- Bones
- Turkey skin
- Gravy
- Butter
- Sage, garlic, onion, or leeks
- Raw bread dough
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Xylitol
- Grapes/raisins
- Nuts
Any rich, fatty foods raise the potential for pancreatitis, a painful and even life-threatening condition requiring emergency veterinary care. Bones are also highly dangerous as they lead to choking incidents or GI obstruction.
Any of the above foods or ingredients can lead to serious symptoms that must be treated right away. If you ever notice any behavioral changes, such as hiding/withdrawal, pain, or vomiting and/or diarrhea, please contact us.
Creating a Pet-Friendly Thanksgiving
A great way to mitigate any excess pet energy is exercise. Be sure to thoroughly play with your pet before dinner to reduce any stress or anxiety associated with party guests or routine disruption..
Create a plate just for them that highlights some of the season’s flavorful abundance. Steamed, unsweetened pumpkin or sweet potato can complement apple bites, small cubes of cooked turkey (only white breast meat), steamed green beans, or carrots.
Provide them with this bountiful meal before your guests sit down or during your main course to limit begging eyes or opportunistic swipes at the table top. Be sure to advise any guests not to offer any table scraps to your pet, regardless of how cute your pet looks when they beg.
Thanksgiving Pet Safety
Keep your pet safe by encouraging them to stay in a cozy room away from the action. Install their favorite bedding, toys, white noise, snacks and plenty of water. Check on them every frequently.
If you have additional questions about Thanksgiving pet safety, please reach out to us at (916) 349-2755. All of us at Cherry Creek Veterinary Hospital wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving!