Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we are all looking forward to our Thanksgiving favorites. During this time of thanks, we may want to share our merriment and tasty treats with the furry members of the household. Please keep in mind may not be the best for their well-being so we’ve provided some tips below to keep your furry friends safe and happy this Thanksgiving.
Give them Plenty of Exercise – A tired pooch is a good pooch. Take them for a nice, long walk or play some fetch with Fido to tire out them out before the festivities begin. Not only is it great for your dog, it might burn a few extra calories to afford you a second helping on your favorite Thanksgiving treat. It’s a win/win!
Stuff the Bird, Not the Dog – Dogs have just as difficult a time processing high fat foods as humans. Overindulging in fatty foods can lead to issues like upset stomach, diarrhea or pancreatitis. Avoid giving your pets turkey skin or other high fat foods such as gravy. A few strips of lean turkey (white meat is preferable) or a small spoonful of sweet potato mixed in with their usual kibble is a suitable holiday treat for your favorite four legged friend.
No Bones About It – Turkey bones are extremely dangerous to your pets. They are brittle and can splinter into sharp fragments that can get lodged in the intestines. Be sure to keep discarded bones and turkey carcasses out of reach of your pets. A great list of problem foods associated with Thanksgiving can be found at: PetMD
Don’t go Raw – Unless your pet is already on a raw diet, avoid giving them uncooked turkey bits. A drastic change in your pets diet can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Wagging Tails, Not Cocktails – Dogs and alcohol are a bad combination. Alcohol can make your dog quite sick and in some cases lead to coma or even death. It’s best to keep alcohol out of the reach of our four-legged companions. Remember a wagging tail is a happy tail.
Mom Knows Best –We’ve all know those big, sad, imploring puppy eyes staring up at us while we are eating. It may be tempting to share from our plates during the holidays, but it’s always best to err of the side of caution. Thanksgiving tends to be the time of year we all like to experiment with yummy ingredients to impress our friends and family, but many plants and foods are toxic to dogs. It’s best to keep our furry companions away from any potential toxic foods or herbs. Below is a link to a great graphic to help with knowing what’s shareable or not. Remember, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and keep our furry friends safe if you are not sure. Another good article about Thanksgiving safety can be found at: Dogster Health Safety
Don’t Get Burned – As dinner preparations are being finalized, the kitchen is buzzing. Those yummy smells coming from the kitchen are just as enticing to your pup as they are to you. Find a safe place for your pets so they don’t get underfoot as you are trying to get all those hot dishes transferred from the kitchen to the dining table. If you’ve already given your pup a nice walk or some playtime before the meal is served, we bet they will be just as happy dreaming about those sweet potatoes or chewing on dog approved snack from their beds or crates.
From our family to yours; we wish you a blessed Thanksgiving filled with ones you love.
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