It’s almost Thanksgiving and we all know what that means…time to get out the stretchy pants. All that food and it’s deliciousness. But while it’s delicious for us, it could be harmful (or even DEADLY) for your pet. So, what exactly should you be on the lookout for?
One of the biggest dangers to your pet on Thanksgiving will be bones. Turkey bones, ham bones, any type of bones can be harmful to dogs. From breaking teeth, to splintering and causing ruptured intestines, bones in general are just bad for dogs (and we can’t forget those furry felines either).
Let’s keep talking about that Turkey and ham (or whatever other main dish you like on your table). Most of these dishes are cooked in butter or some other type of fat. Dogs are not used to these kinds of fats and they can cause gastrointestinal (stomach and intestine) upset, and cause diarrhea and vomiting for your furry kiddos. This can lead to colitis and even pancreatitis which is treatable, but very uncomfortable for the dog, and let’s be honest, very messy for you to have to clean up after.
On to the other dishes on the table. Anything cooked with onions or garlic. Onions and garlic can cause blood disorders that can cause anemia or low red blood counts. These can be extremely dangerous, and even deadly.
Nuts and nutmeg can also be harmful to your dog. So yes, that means no pecan or pumpkin pie for them! Speaking of desserts, let’s talk about that fudge, ice cream, or any other goodies you might have that contain chocolate or loads of sugar. Chocolate can be deadly in the right doses to dogs. These can cause Central Nervous System problems, which can lead to seizures and potentially death. So, opt out of these desserts and stick to the dog treats (we’ll look the other way if you want to give a couple of extra, but just this once).
So be sure to keep your pets in mind during this holiday season. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and stick to their normal dog food and dog treats. We love your pets, but we would rather see them for well pet visits than sick pet visits.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your furry family members.