Thanksgiving is a time to gather with your loved ones and celebrate! However, since it only comes once a year, your pet might not be used to the festivities. Check out some tips for a fulfilling Thanksgiving for pets – and for us, too!
1 – Avoid these dangerous foods
There are some Thanksgiving foods that should be absolutely off-limits for any cats and dogs in the house:
- Onions – Stuffing often contains ingredients like onions which are toxic to dogs and cats.
- Turkey cooked bones – Keep those turkey wishbones away from your pets! Cooked bones can cause indigestion, become lodged inside your dog’s digestive tract, or worse… Splinter and tear up your pet’s organs. If you decide to feed your pet a small bite of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and without any condiment.
- Grapes or raisins – If your salads include grapes or raisins, keep them away from your dog’s mouth. They can cause kidney failure.
- Xylitol – Xylitol comes in some sugar-free baked goods, and it can be deadly to pets.
- Chocolate, cookies, pies, and sweets.
- Alcoholic beverages.
2 – Make your kitchen a safe space
Be cautious about where your pets are roaming throughout the cooking process. If you allow them in the kitchen, keep them away from the hot oven door and stovetop!
3 – Think your decorations through…
Be careful leaving pets unattended near potentially dangerous decor, like candles! A low-hanging tablecloth can also attract your pet and provide access to the decorations and food.
4 – …And also mind the trash
The same tip goes for trash cans. Make sure your trash bin is not easy for them to access! A simple tip, but one that will make it much easier to have a wonderful Thanksgiving for pets and owners.
5 – Remind guests not to feed your pets
Be sure to remind everyone not to feed your pets any table scraps, no matter how cute their adorable begging eyes may be.
You can keep a jar of pet treats available and encourage your guests to feed them appropriate pet treats rather than human food.
6 – Keep your buddies calm
Having guests can be stressful for some pets. If your pet is easily stressed around strangers, then move them to a quiet and “safe” room.
7 – Keep an eye on the front door
Pets can possibly escape while one of your guests is leaving or entering your home. Make sure your pet is not near the door when it’s opened, and always keep an eye on them!
Thanksgiving and pets go hand in hand…after all, we’re forever thankful we brought our four-legged friends into our lives. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure your Turkey Day will be as pet-friendly as possible!
Remember, the Findster Care vet team is at your disposal if you need any further help organizing a safe Thanksgiving for pets!
Did you know that keeping your pet’s coat healthy helps them look their best and has many other benefits? Find out more!
