Thanksgiving is all about enjoying time with friends and family, feasting, and having a great time. But all the tempting food can be a bit tricky for our furry friends. Here are some tips to have a Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy too:
- The most common problem veterinarians report during the holidays is pets eating food they shouldn’t. We may think that a small piece of turkey skin here and some stuffing there won’t hurt our pets, but it’s very easy to overdo it. Keep a supply of healthy pet treats on hand at Thanksgiving and give these to your cat or dog instead of human food.
- Some traditional Thanksgiving foods that can be dangerous for your cat or dog to eat. Cooked poultry bones, including turkey, can splinter and should never be given to pets.
- Thanksgiving table scraps can often be too rich and fatty for pets and can make them sick. Overindulgence could lead to issues such as stomach upset, diarrhea, or, in more severe cases, the development of pancreatitis—an inflammatory condition affecting the pancreas
- Always avoid giving pets anything with chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, and alcohol – which can all cause serious health problems. Also be sure to make sure your garbage can is covered to keep curious pets out.
Instead of offering your pet human food from the Thanksgiving meal, it’s best to maintain your pets’ regular diets during the holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!