Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to give thanks while feasting on all kinds of foods and candies. This is also the time of year where our furry feline and canine friends get the chance to nibel on some human treats. However, it is important to follow some basic tips to ensure that both owners and pets can enjoy a safe holiday:
General Rules for Safety:
-Watch out for small pets as you're preparing your Thanksgiving feast to avoid the chance of tripping over them. Keep them safe in a separate room, away from the hustle and bustle.
-Get rid of trash immediately so pets don't have the opportunity to knock the canisters over to get at the juicy turkey bones or food scraps.
-Having lots of guests over may cause anxiety in even the most excitable pets. Take your four-legged friends on a long walk to calm them down or give them their own space away from the commotion.
-To avoid overindulging your pets at the dinner table, feed your pets beforehand or keep your pets occupied with chew toys so that your guests aren't tempted to give in to the pets' stares and whimpers. Make sure your guests know your rules regarding how you want your pets to act.
-Keep an eye on the table. Pets may take the opportunity of a chaotic and festive environment and sneak a bit from the table.
Food Safety Tips:
-Cooked turkey is okay to feed your pets but do not allow your pets to gnaw on bones because they are brittle and can become choking hazards for pets.
-Raw bread dough is dangerous for your pets because your pets' body heat allows for the dough to rise and will cause vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
-Cake and cookie batter contains raw eggs, which, if ingested, could cause salmonella and ultimately food poisoning.
-Everything in moderation—overindulging may lead to stomach upset, diarrhea or pancreatitis.