Thanksgiving is coming, and that means big meals and delicious food for your guests. But for your pets, that means upset stomachs and anxiousness. Here’s what you need to know to keep your pets safe and healthy this Thanksgiving!
Avoid Sharing Table Scraps
One of the most common things people do during this time of year is give their leftovers to their pets! Of course your pet will thank you in the moment but passing off Thanksgiving food can cause great harm to your pet’s internal systems.
Dogs and cats don’t do well digesting new foods, or even a lot of meat and bones. A lot of pets end up visiting us after Thanksgiving with upset stomachs, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Just like humans, animals can feel the effects of overeating! It can be really hard not to want to share from the table with your pets, but consumption of these foods can even lead to surgery.
Just because your pet might not be getting any table scraps this Thanksgiving, doesn’t mean you can’t show them love in other ways!
Know What Food is Toxic
While we don’t recommend giving your pets any food from the table, these are some of the most toxic Thanksgiving foods you’ll definitely want to avoid. If your pet stumbles upon these by accident or if a well intentioned relative slips them a snack (you know who we are talking about!), keep an especially close eye on them if these foods are consumed.
- Turkey bones, skin, and gravy
- Stuffing
- Casseroles
- Mashed potatoes
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Ham
- Fatty foods
- Foods with lots of spices
We know food falls off the counter and kids drop their plate, so it is best to keep your pets out of the kitchen entirely.
How to Show Your Pet Love (Safely) This Thanksgiving
Instead of ‘treating’ your pet to food off the table, give them a treat you know they love and will keep them healthy. Here are some ideas:
- Gift them a new chew toy you have been eying
- Take them for a extra long walk
- Give them some extra snuggles or time in the back yard with their favorite ball
To go above and beyond for your pet this Thanksgiving, make some extra time for them. There’s no better way to express your love for your pet than by taking them for extra walks or spending more time at the dog park than normal. Keep in mind that for many pets, attention is their love language!
