Thanksgiving Pet Safety

11/20/2017 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) has some great pet safety tips for you and your family to use during this joyous holiday.

Poison Risks:

• Keep the feast on the table- Eating turkey or turkey skin sometimes even a small amount can cause a threatening condition in pets known as pancreatitis. Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest, and many foods that are healthy for people are poisonous to pets like onions, raisins and grapes.
• No pie or other desserts for your pooch- Chocolate can be harmful for pets, even though many dogs find it tempting and will sniff it out and eat it. The artificial sweetener called xylitol (commonly used in gum and sugar-free baked goods) also can be deadly if consumed by dogs or cats. 
• Yeast dough can cause problems for pets- Including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.
• Put the trash away where your pets can't find it- A turkey carcass sitting out on the carving table, or left in a trash container that is open or easily opened, could be deadly to your family pet. Dispose of turkey carcasses and bones in a covered, tightly secured trash bag placed in a closed trash container outdoors. 
• Be careful with decorative plants- Don't forget that some flowers and festive plants can be toxic to pets. These include Amaryllis, Baby's breath, Sweet William, some ferns, Hydrangeas and more. The ASPCA offers lists of plants that are toxic to both dogs and cats, nut the safest route is simply to keep your pets away from all plants and table decorations.

For more essential information you can visit the AVMA and ASPCA website.