Thanksgiving dinner is a special time to gather with family, friends, and the pets we love. It’s also a time to eat classic dishes and fill up on pie, turkey and special casseroles. While your dog might be excited about the smells coming from the kitchen, it’s important to stay vigilant to protect them from holiday hazards. Unfortunately, many popular Thanksgiving dishes can be downright dangerous for your pet — and many others are simply not good for them.
At Dan’s Pet Care, we take pet safety extremely seriously — and we know how quickly dogs can chew and swallow things when you’re not looking. That’s why we think Thanksgiving Day is a time for pet owners to be extra careful. If you celebrate Thanksgiving Day, keep reading to take a look at a few of the obstacles you should steer clear of. You’ll also learn simple steps to take that can keep your dog safe on the big day.
A Thanksgiving turkey poses choking and metabolic hazards for your dog
More than 46 million turkeys are eaten every year for Thanksgiving, according to the USDA. Most of us love the way a turkey smells when it’s roasting in the oven — and your dog loves that smell, too! But bone-in turkey isn’t worth the risk you take when you decide to share some with your dog.
On its own, plain turkey meat isn’t terrible for dogs. In fact, it’s a relatively lean meat that contains many nutrients your dog needs. Some veterinarians even recommend feeding your dog turkey to supplement their regular meals.
However, Thanksgiving turkeys are prepared for humans. That means rubbing salt, fats, and other seasonings into the skin and meat, and adding gravy or stuffing to boost the flavor profile. These added ingredients can be far too salty or fatty for your dog to consume safely. Onions and garlic can even be toxic for your dog. Of course, turkey bones can present choking hazards for your dog, and the skin contains too much fat for their metabolic organs to process well. While you can safely feed your dog unseasoned, boneless, skinless turkey breast, it’s probably better to keep the holiday bird out of your dog’s reach.
Sugar-free desserts and other products can create a health emergency for your dog
While many artificial sweeteners are safe for humans to consume, your dog’s metabolic system can’t process all of them. This means that your guests’ sugar-free Jello salad, diet cranberry sauce, or Weight Watchers pie recipes could all make your dog seriously ill. Even things you might not expect, like low-calorie salad dressings or marinades, can contain artificial sweeteners.
It’s true that not all artificial sweeteners will cause a health crisis for your dog. The most dangerous one is xylitol, which can cause your dog to have seizures and potentially die without medical intervention. However, most other artificial sweeteners are simply not healthy for dogs — and many of them can cause gastrointestinal upset. Some, like erythritol, are specifically designed to be indigestible, so your body can’t absorb calories from them. No one wants to deal with diarrhea on Thanksgiving, so keep your dog far away from artificially sweetened treats.
Ham can give your dog pancreatitis and digestive problems
Unfortunately, many emergency vets see a rise in visits around Thanksgiving. That’s partly because too many pets get their paws on fatty meats that overwhelm their metabolic organs. Dogs who eat too much fat can experience diarrhea, vomiting, or pancreatitis, which can require IV fluids and round-the-clock monitoring. Ham is one of the most notorious culprits. and even one bite of ham is too much to share with your dog. Some pet owners see ham as a safer alternative to turkey, since it has fewer small bones. But making the same mistake could land you in the ER on Black Friday!
How to keep your dog from sneaking any Thanksgiving morsels
Dogs can be masters of emotional manipulation. If your dog knows you won’t feed them table scraps, they may try to beg a family member who isn’t as familiar with them. It’s important to make sure all your guests are on the same page, and to keep a close eye on your dog during the meal.
After everyone’s finished eating, there might be piles of dirty dishes on the table or in the sink. Make sure your dog doesn’t sneak table scraps while everyone is recovering from that second piece of pie. When in doubt, crate your dog or give them a private room for a little while, complete with plenty of toys and dog-safe snacks. Finally, be sure to thoroughly seal trash cans with food in them, or take trash bags outdoors.
At Dan’s Pet Care, we make your pet’s safety our number one priority. Whether you need pet sitting, doggy daycare, dog walking, or any other pet care service, we’re here to help — contact us today!
