Thanksgiving is a great time to spend time with the ones that mean the most to us, our family. We here at Appleseed Valley and Clearfork Veterinary Hospitals truly feel that our pets are members of our families. I’m sure a lot of you agree.

 There is more to worry about on this special day besides the oven timer and the football game. We need to pay special attention to out four legged (or three, in some cases) family too! They can’t look out for themselves and this particular holiday poses some hidden threats. Keep reading for some good ideas to help keep your special kids safe and healthy this Turkey Day.

A lot of human foods are OK for our pets to consume; however, there are a few ingredients that can cause major issues. Something we enjoy on a regular basis could cause your pet to have severe diarrhea, or even cause organ failure leading to death. Seriously! It’s important to know what foods to avoid, so you can keep your pets healthy… Make sure to tell guests about these “no-no” foods as well. Grandma might think she is giving Fido a special treat by slipping him a bite of her Raisin-Nut Bread. She probably has no idea that raisins are incredibly toxic to pets, causing death in some cases!

This list, compiled by poison control Veterinarians for the ASPCA, is essential to keep your pets out of harm’s way. Foods to avoid…

Alcoholic Beverages

Avacado

Bones

Chocolate

Eggs (raw) or Raw/Undercooked Meat

Grapes/Raisins

Macadamia Nuts

Milk

Onions/Garlic/Chives

Raw Bread Dough

Sage and other Herbs

Salt

Xylitol

Too much of any human food is never good for our pets. Try to avoid table scraps all together this holiday season by putting your pets somewhere else while the meal is being served. A great way to make sure your pet is not left out of the celebration is to give them a special treat too! We sell K&M Barkery treats, Thanksgiving themed of course, to help your dog enjoy the day too. You could also use a food puzzle or Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter to occupy her while the family feasts.  

Always provide a little safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of the day’s events so your pet can choose when to be around everyone. Not all pets deal with the sounds and happenings of the holiday well; some can get very anxious and upset. Make sure to provide food and water away from the guests, so your pet is sure to stay hydrated and reduce the temptation to beg for table scraps.

Another forgotten danger of this holiday is guests! Welcoming family in to our homes means a lot of doors being open and closed. “Is Shady allowed outside?” is being shouted only after your cat has passed through the incoming guests legs. Make sure to put cats in a safe place if they aren’t allowed outside. Dogs and indoor/outdoor cats should always have collars with ID tags on, making a safe return to your home a little easier. 

Make sure to spend a little quality time with your pets this Thanksgiving. They truly provide us with unconditional love and laughter. Be thankful for them just as they are for you!

If your pet does become ill over the holiday, be sure to contact your Veterinarian (or us) as soon as possible. Early detection is key!

 If you think you pet has ingested something toxic, give our emergency number a call… 419-884-1074.