Thanksgiving reminds us to be thankful for all the good things in our lives — like our pets. While the holiday is a special time for loved ones and good food, it can also be a time of potential danger for our furry family members.
Because Thanksgiving only comes once a year, your pet might not be used to the festivities and their safety might not be top of mind with all the hustle and bustle of the day. However, before the celebration begins, it’s a good idea to take some pet-friendly precautions.
Be cautious of Thanksgiving food
You might find your Thanksgiving meal to be delicious but some items on your menu can be harmful to your pet. Beware of these popular Thanksgiving foods and keep these well out of your furry friend’s reach when they are around.
- Turkey skin: Fatty foods like turkey skin are difficult for dogs to digest, which can cause pancreatitis.
- Alcohol: Alcohol can cause intoxication, lack of coordination, poor breathing and potentially coma and death.
- Cooked bones: The danger is that cooked bones can easily splinter when chewed by your dog or cat. The splinters can cause serious damage when chewed and/or swallowed.
- Corn on the cob: The cob can get lodged in the small intestine, and if it’s not removed surgically, can prove fatal to your dog.
- Garlic: Garlic is related to onions, which are both toxic for dogs.
- Mushrooms: The wrong mushroom can be fatal to humans as well as your pet.
- Onions and chives: These contain disulfides and sulfoxides (thiosulphate), both of which can cause anemia and damage red blood cells.
- Chocolate: Chocolate is toxic for your furry friend because it contains both caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, two chemicals that neither dogs nor cats can metabolize as well as humans.
- Xylitol: This artificial sweetener, sometimes used in baking, is toxic to pets.
- Yeast dough: This can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.
Additionally, remember to put the trash away where your pets can’t find or get at it. Dispose of garbage immediately, particularly turkey carcasses and bones and anything used to wrap or tie the meat, such as strings or twine, and packaging. A covered, tightly secured trash bag placed in a closed container outdoors is preferable.
Choose your Thanksgiving flowers and décor wisely
It’s important to make sure all your decorations are pet-proof, especially when it comes to popular fall plants and flowers. Some popular ones that are toxic include:
- Autumn crocus
- Chrysanthemum
- Amaryllis
- Sweet William
- Lilies
Additionally, avoid decorations with ribbons or other small parts, like acorns, pine cones and needles, that could be easily swallowed. While these items may look festive, they can cause serious obstructions, as well as pose choking hazards, if your pet chooses to eat them.
Be mindful of guest interactions with your pet
The sights, sounds and new faces of Thanksgiving can be fun for you and your family, but they can also be overwhelming for your pet. Here are some things to keep in mind when guests arrive.
- Have an area where your pet can be alone and enjoy some peace and quiet. Your furry friend might experience anxiety with new people in the home, so make sure they have an alternate space to go to that includes their favourite toys and treats. Also, inform your guests to respect your pet’s privacy, especially if they have little ones who might want to play with your not-so-accommodating pet.
- Be careful of doors. Even if your pets are familiar with your guests, it’s important to still keep a close eye on them, especially when people are entering or leaving your home. In the excitement of everything, your furry friend might make a break for it and become lost.
- Make sure your pet has proper identification. This includes your current contact information on a collar and particularly a microchip with up-to-date information registered with the BC Pet Registry. That way, if they do sneak out, they’re more likely to be returned to you.
By keeping the above tips in mind, both you and your pet can enjoy a fun-filled and safe Thanksgiving.
More like this:
10 plants that are toxic to your pet
Toxic for dogs: What to avoid feeding Fido
Toxic for cats: What to avoid feeding your feline