We have officially entered the holiday season (even though it’s still kind of warm out in Los Angeles, per usual). You might be considering treating your pets over Thanksgiving with some morsels of people food. After all, it’s the holidays! Not so fast, though—not all of the day’s festivities are appropriate for your furry friends. Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe and content this Thanksgiving.
Limit table scraps
While it’s typically best to forgo feeding table scraps to your dog or cat, many pet owners have a tough time resisting those sweet, begging, puppy-dog eyes. If you’re one of them, remember this:
- Unless your turkey is boneless, skinless, and cooked in nothing but water, avoid feeding it to your pets from the table. Turkey and turkey skin can cause pancreatitis in pets, which can be life-threatening.
- Potatoes are a healthy and nutritious vegetable for humans and pets alike. But, when mashed with butter, sour cream, cheese, onions, garlic, or gravy, they’re not a safe option for your pet (and you should probably enjoy in moderation, too). Similarly, most veggies that are healthy on their own (think green beans, carrots, and more) can be enjoyed without all the extra ingredients often found in their holiday casseroles.
- Your pet should never consume alcohol. And, be aware of unexpected dishes that might contain it, like fruitcake.
- Say “no” to artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to pets.
- Chocolate and other desserts are for you and your human buddies only.
- Stay away from grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Limit visitors
At least be aware of your pet’s stress levels when visitors come ringing your doorbell. Some pets become anxious or stressed when unfamiliar people seemingly invade their space. Others might even try to flee out the front door when unsuspecting visitors open it. Keep these tips in mind:
- Be sure all your pets are microchipped and wearing identification collars. Ensure your microchips are registered and up to date.
- Put pets that don’t like visitors or unfamiliar sights and sounds in a closed bedroom or basement, away from the holiday shenanigans, with a plug-in pheromone diffuser and calming music.
We hope you have a safe and festive Thanksgiving celebration. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.