Let’s make Thanksgiving safe for your dog.
Thanksgiving is a time for our family and friends to gather and give thanks for all the good things in our lives including our dogs. It’s also a time for great food and sharing family favorite dishes that we sometimes are tempted to share with our dogs. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe at Thanksgiving.
Food
Not all human food is good for dogs, so let’s take a look at some Thanksgiving favorite foods to see what is safe and what is not to safe share with our dogs.
Turkey is generally the main dish at many Thanksgiving meals. Sharing a small piece of turkey is ok for your dog as long as it is thoroughly cooked, boneless and has no spices or gravy. Never give your dog turkey on a bone or the leftover carcass as bones can be extremely dangerous to their digestive system.
Some vegetables are fine for your dog including sweet potatoes and green beans, but be sure they are not dressed up with lots of sugar, salt, garlic, onions, leeks or chives.
If you bake fresh bread, never let your dog have uncooked dough. It can cause stomach aches and bloating that could develop into a medical emergency.
Sweets and human treats can cause an upset stomach for your dog and some ingredients may be deadly, so avoid giving your dog any of your desserts. Remember chocolate is toxic to dogs and the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous for your dog, so be sure to check all food labels for this artificial sweetener. Pies and cakes often contain currants and raisins which are also toxic to dogs.
Holiday celebrations tend to generate a lot of food trash, so be sure you keep your trash receptable covered and inaccessible to your dog. You never know what can be lurking in the trash can that could be deadly or make your dog sick.
If at any time you think your dog may have ingested anything poisonous or toxic, call the
ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435.
Around Your Home
During the Thanksgiving holiday, we often have out-of-town guests. Remember that sometimes dogs can get stressed or anxious when new people are in their home, so take precautions to keep them safe and comfortable.
If you dog gets stressed with visitors, giving them a new toy may be a good distraction. A licky mat with peanut butter or yogurt can keep your dog entertained and take their mind off the extra visitors.
With your extra company, be extra careful around entrances and exits into your home. While you welcome your guests through an open door, your doggie may make a run for it and can become lost. Be sure your dog wears a collar with an up-to-date ID tag at all times and is microchipped. A GPS collar is also a great idea and helps locate your dog if they lost.
Be careful to keep your dog away from your guests bags. They may contain food, chocolate, gum with xylitol, and medications.
If your traveling with your dog this Thanksgiving, check out our blog post, “Have Doggie, Will Travel,” for handy tips for traveling in the car with your dog.
With a few extra precautions and a careful eye on your dog, you, your dog and your whole family can have a great, happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Safe & Healthy Foods To Share With Your Dog This Thanksgiving, Plus Foods To Avoid
Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Thanksgiving Pet Safety
Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
Comments