Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around family, friends & food. While it's tempting to include our furry family members in the festivities, many aspects of the holiday can put your pet's health and safety in danger. This week we're sharing a few tips on how to provide a fulfilling holiday that your pets can enjoy too! 

Foods To Avoid

While we recommend sticking to your pet's normal diet, we understand that even our furry friends can't resist the smell of a savory turkey and other dishes. However, many of these food items may contain potentially toxic ingredients and can cause harm. 

Avoid giving your pet turkey meat, especially fatty dark meat and skin. A small amount of unseasoned white turkey meat is okay, but never give them any leftover bones. Not only are bones a choking hazard, but they can splinter inside your pet’s digestive tract and cause a trip to the emergency vet.

 Be mindful of ingredients and spices in your food as well. Garlic and onions are prevalent in various dishes and can be toxic to pets. Many people use bouillon cubes when making stocks and gravy. These cubes contain a very high amount of sodium, not easily digested by pets, and can cause gastric problems or even seizures. 

 If you're planning to bake rolls or bread, make sure to proof your dough in a safe spot out of a paw's reach. Unbaked yeast dough can pose a serious threat for your pet by causing stomach blockage as the yeast rises and expands. The natural fermentation of yeast in your cat or dog’s stomach can cause alcohol poisoning.

No feast is complete without a sweet treat. While we know that chocolate is toxic for our four-legged friends, some desserts might contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol that are serious hazards for pets. Xylitol, even in small amounts, is toxic and can cause low blood sugar, liver damage, or even death. 

The list of foods to avoid may seem overwhelming, but there are a few pet-friendly Thanksgiving treats they can enjoy. Raw fruits and vegetables like baby carrots, green beans, apples, chunks of sweet potato, or pumpkin (plain, cooked or canned - not the sweetened pie filling) are all great options. Try mixing any of these into their usual dinner to give your pet a small feast of their own.

Holiday decorations such as some flowers and festive plants can be toxic to pets. Consider pet-safe alternatives or take care to place holiday decorations far out of your pet's reach.

Holiday Guests

Hosting holiday guests can be overwhelming for some pets. 
Provide a quiet space for them to retreat to such as a crate or bed with their favorite toy or treat. Let your guests know this area is off limits to ensure you pet has a safe space to relax. This will reduce emotional stress on your pet and protect your guests. Also: you may want to remind your guests to keep their personal items such as medications stored safely away from pets. Ingestion of medications is dangerous, all too common, and can really put a damper on your holiday plans. 

Even if your pet is comfortable around guests, make sure to watch them closely as people are entering or exiting your home: your pet may quickly sneak out and get lost. Take a moment to check that your pet's microchip information is up-to-date. 

Despite our best efforts, accidents can happen. Preparation can make all the difference in an emergency. Keep your vet's contact information easily accessible and know the location of the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic. 

 By practicing these Thanksgiving pet safety tips, you and your pet can enjoy a safe and happy holiday!

Looking for ways to pay it forward this holiday season? 

We've created a Thanksgiving bucket list with a few fun ideas. Share with your friends and family and see how many items you can check off the list!