Our pets are a part of our family, and we want to include them in our holiday festivities and keep them safe and healthy. Unfortunately, many of our holiday favorites can be harmful to pets, and sharing ou Thanksgiving meal with them can cause potentially serious health issues. Here are some things to avoid and helpful tips on how to keep your pet included in the fun.
Foods to Avoid:
- Turkey bones and skin:
Poultry bones are fragile and can easily break or splinter into fragments, causing choking hazards or further issues. The fatty skin can also cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause serious illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain.
- Fatty foods:
Dishes with large amounts of butter, ham, casseroles, etc., can be high in fat and cause GI issues or pancreatitis.
- Salty foods:
Excessive salt can cause GI upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
- Caffeine:
Caffeine can cause elevated heart rates, vomiting, dehydration, kidney failure, and seizures.
- Bread dough:
Uncooked yeast produces alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning, bloating, and disorientation
Foods toxic to most pets:
Onion, garlic, uncooked potatoes, grapes/raisins, fruit pits (could also cause possible obstructions), chocolate, and baked goods containing xylitol are poisonous to dogs and could cause organ failure or other long-term effects in pets.
Keeping your pet in a separate area or feeding before your family’s meal can help prevent begging for scrapes and possible ingestion. If you believe your pet ate something they shouldn’t have, please call the ASPCA Poison Control Center
at (888)-426-4435 to speak with a toxicologist. They are open 24 hours for poison-related emergencies.
How to Keep Pets Safe During Festivities
Other risks for pets can still exist outside of the kitchen. Hosting family can become stressful and hectic, with many things happening in your home at once. Here are some things to remember when setting up a party while keeping your pet comfortable.
- Keep Trash Bins Secured:
Make sure trash bins are secured and any trash bags are put away to help prevent your pet from digging in and helping themselves to scraps or other potentially harmful items they should not ingest.
- Decorations:
Festive décors, such as candles, essential oils, potpourri, or certain houseplants, can be toxic to pets and risk intestinal obstructions.
- Educate your guests:
Inform your visitors, who might not be familiar with your pet or their routine, about the house rules. If you have a shy or high-arousal pet, ensure your guests know how to approach the pet and make them aware of your pet’s comfort levels. Be mindful of the exits if you have much foot traffic coming in and out of your home. Ensure your pet has a collar with identification tags and a microchip to be prepared in case your pet does get out.
Including Your Pet in the Fun
Keeping our beloved pets safe while trying to create a memorable celebration for the whole family can be relatively simple. Here are some ways to include your furry friend:
- Baking Special Treats:
Having a puzzle or food-stuffed toy can also be a nice treat for them that also engages their mind. Making homemade treats using pumpkin or other pet-safe foods can be an alternative to allowing pets to eat table scraps. It can also be a fun activity for the whole family!
- Pet-friendly traditions:
Creating traditions that include your pet, like a memorable walk or hike or time in the backyard with the family or other interactive play, can be a fun way to spend time with your pet on the holiday while creating enrichment for them throughout the day.
Spending Thanksgiving surrounded by your loved ones should be fulfilling. Introducing these smallsteps and traditions into your holiday allows the whole family to relax and reflect on the past year withgratitude and less anxiety, knowing your four-legged friends are happy and safe alongside you.