Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
Thanksgiving is almost here! While it’s a time for friends, family, and delicious food, the holiday hustle can be a bit overwhelming for our furry family members. With so many tempting smells and busy activities, curious noses might find their way into trouble, so don’t forget to keep your pets in mind when giving thanks this year.
We want you and your pets to have the best Thanksgiving ever, so we’ve rounded up a few simple tips to keep the holiday safe and stress-free. Check them out below:
Just a Taste: It’s best to stick to your pet’s regular diet on Thanksgiving, but we understand that those puppy-dog eyes can be hard to resist! If you’d like to share a little turkey or other meat, make sure it’s boneless and fully cooked. Raw or undercooked turkey can contain Salmonella, and bones can splinter, creating serious choking or injury risks.
Keep It Simple: Be mindful of ingredients and seasonings in your dishes. Onions and garlic, common in stuffing, sides, and gravy, are toxic to pets. Bouillon cubes are packed with sodium, which can cause gastrointestinal distress and even seizures. Raw yeast dough can expand inside your pet’s stomach and release ethanol, leading to bloating, drunkenness, and dangerous side effects.
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake: Keep curious pets out of the dessert zone! Batter made with raw eggs may contain Salmonella, and sweets with xylitol (an artificial sweetener) can cause low blood sugar, liver damage, or even death. Chocolate is another major hazard and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or worse. For a safe alternative, check out our pet-friendly treat recipe!
A Feast Fit for a King (or Queen!): While your family enjoys their feast, make your pet’s dinner special too! Try mixing small amounts of turkey, sweet potatoes, and green beans into their regular meal. You can even drizzle a little gravy on top or stuff their treats into a puzzle toy to keep them entertained during your meal.
Holiday Décor and Guests: If you’re hosting, remember that extra people and noise can be stressful for pets. Set up a quiet, cozy space with blankets or an open room where they can retreat and relax. Ask guests to keep personal items like purses or medicine bags out of paws’ reach. Holiday décor can also pose risks, some plants and floral arrangements are toxic to animals. Check out the APCC’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants before decorating.
Don’t Forget the Trash: Thanksgiving leftovers often include bones, chocolate, onions, and other hazards. Empty your trash regularly or keep it securely out of reach to prevent curious pets from digging in.
If you think your pet may have eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888.426.4435.
Need any post-holiday care? The Bredel Clinic will be open the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 28. Call the HART Animal Center at 301.387.7729 to schedule an appointment for your furry family member.