Thanksgiving with Pets

Thanksgiving. Time to gather with family or friends for a festive meal and maybe some football. We tend to eat too much and may get an upset stomach. But if your pets eat the wrong food, you may find yourself making an unexpected trip the the emergency vet. And we all know that can be stressful and expensive. These tips can help your holiday be safe for your pets.

Turkey and pumpkin is good for dogs, right? Well, yes and no. Plain canned pumpkin is good for tummy issues because it is full of fiber. It can help with constipation, diarrhea and hairballs. Pumpkin pie on the other hand is a no-no. If you want to give your pet a treat, a few piece of lean, skinless, plain turkey (no bones, skin or gravy!) is OK.

Here’s list of foods to avoid:

  • Turkey bones and skin
  • Ham
  • Sage
  • Alcohol
  • Stuffing/Dressing
  • Pumpkin Pie
  • Salty snacks and nuts
  • Garlic and onions
  • Chocolate and most desserts

These foods are OK in moderations:

  • Plain, lean turkey
  • Raw, canned or cooked pumpkin (not pie filling)
  • Plain vegetables – some dogs love green beans and carrots

Keep pets out the kitchen and safely secure in another room while cooking and serving. All those yummy smells are tempting, but pets can get underfoot, causing you to trip and spill or drop hot food. Cats can get on the counter or stove and hurt themselves. Dogs might grab food or even the whole turkey off the counter.

Keeping pets secure in another part of the house is smart if you are having guests over. Well meaning guests may slip your pooch a treat, but when multiple guest do it multiple times, you and your dog may pay the consequences later. Plus a scared pet might slip out an open door with out anyone knowing.

But there are ways you can share the holiday with your pets. Take a walk after your big meal and take the pups with you. Prepare a special meal for your pet following these guidelines or serve them pet food made with turkey. Here are “7 Homemade Dog Foods and Treat Recipies” you can try.


Sources:

How to Make Thanksgiving Dog Friendly

https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/five-thanksgiving-tips-for-the-dog-owner

https://www.pethub.com/article/how-make-yummy-safe-thanksgiving-feast-your-pets

7 Homemade Thanksgiving Dog Food And Treat Recipes [VIDEOS]

https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/lhuston/2013/nov/thanksgiving-safety-and-your-cat-31085