Thanksgiving Pet Safety

It is the season to give thanks, especially for friends and family. While you are busy making your festive plans for Thanksgiving, please don’t forget to include your furry friends. This holiday season is a time for giving, but there are some things you should not share with your pets. Once you know the hazards, a little precaution and prevention will make holidays a happy time for everyone.

Here are some pet hazards to think about:

Bones:

The holiday turkey or chicken will leave a lot of tantalizing bones, but don’t feed them to your pet. Beware of steak bones, too. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in the throat, stomach, and intestinal tract. This bone fragments can be sharp which could cause serious trauma to the GI tract.

Table Food:

Be very cautious about giving pets raw meat during meal preparation. This can not only cause vomiting, diarrhea, and significant discomfort for your pet, but also can be a health risk to people who come in contact with the pet. It is common for them to get major belly aches from too much people food, or even dangerously sick if they ingest something like chocolate. The day after Thanksgiving, I always get a call that a sick pet ate the whole turkey or pie that was put on the counter to cool.

Candles:

Lighted candles should never be left unattended and that is even more important if left at kitty’s eye level or within puppy’s chewing zone. An exuberant tail or a swat of a paw can turn candles and hot wax into an instant disaster. Anchor candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.

Stress and company:

With everyone coming and going, watch out for open doors and sneaky pets. Make sure your pets have updated collars and tags. Microchipping your furry friend is an ideal way identify your pet if they escape. All pets should have at least two forms of ID on them at all times. Ask guests to keep an eye out for pets under foot, it is easy to trip or step on small pets with a house full of people. Remind them that sometimes your normally friendly dog or cat may be less than willing to deal with enthusiastic children and rooms full of unfamiliar people. Provide a special quiet place with a blanket and fresh water for your pets to retreat to when the festivities get too stressful.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 315-696-6699 or DrAris@TullyVet.com with any questions or concerns. I can recommend appropriate treats to keep your furry friends busy and happy during this season. If your pet does exhibit symptoms of illness during or after any festivities, seek veterinary care promptly. Early medical intervention is key to your furry friend’s recovery. Also, Like us on Facebook, Southern Hills Veterinary Hospital, for other useful information

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving,
Dr. Lydia Aris