The time for tasty holiday meal we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We hope you have a wonderful time with your friends and family and enjoy good food you probably dreamed of for a while in anticipation. But where there’s family dinner, there is a danger for our loved ones! And we’re not talking about the usual criticism that may fly around, but the real problems your pet may face. Here are some tips on what to watch out for this holiday to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Feeding them turkey
Sharing our food during holidays is a nice custom and could be a great treat to our pets. Just make sure you feed them a well-cooked and boneless piece of meat. Consider giving them white and not dark meat, since white is easier to digest. Avoid giving them raw or undercooked meat, because it can make them ill and cause them a tummy ache.
You should avoid feeding them bones altogether because cooked bones are often brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your dog’s intestine. Also, bird bones are hollow and break easily. Another thing that might be hard to digest is turkey skin. Therefore, when giving them a piece of meat, first peel the skin off .
Chocolate and Gravy
Two things that can cause problems to your pet are sweets and fatty things. So make sure you keep the desserts away from reach. Alongside turkey skin, gravy and fatty foods can cause your dog diarrhea, vomiting or even pancreatitis.
One stuffed animal is enough
Let the turkey be the only stuffed animal you have this Thanksgiving. Make sure you and your guests don’t overfeed the dog. Having a few tasty bits of human food is a nice treat, but having too much can cause them stomach problems and discomfort.
A chaos in the kitchen
Hosting people in your home is not an easy task. You need to take care of many things and zoom around the house to make sure everything is going well. In this chaos, it easy to overlook a couple of things that can go wrong.
To avoid any possible accidents, keep your pups away from the kitchen. This way you won’t accidentally step or trip on them. There are also a lot of hot dishes and sharp tools, so it will be way safer for everyone if they are keeping a safe distance.
As you prepare the food and serve it on the table, make sure you dispose of all the aluminum foil and plastic wrap when you’re done with them. Also, pay attention your dog doesn’t get frustrated if you are not feeding it thanksgiving food and doesn’t search for it in the trash can.
Educate your guests
We show we care by feeding those we love. Your guests might mean well, but they might not know what foods your pets should avoid or how much they are allowed to eat. That’s why you should let them know about these DOs and DON’Ts and assure everyone has a good time.
Holiday plants and ornaments
If you are decorating your home for holiday season remember that Poinsettias, Holly berries, Mistletoe, and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs.
Also, you know your dog best, but having glass ornaments and candles can be dangerous, so you might wanna keep them out of reach.
Enjoy
Giving them your food as a tasty treat isn’t a big deal. A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey or a taste of mashed potato shouldn’t pose a problem. Just follow these tips and everyone can enjoy the holidays! Lastly, make sure you show them you are thankful for having them in your life! Give them a nice hug or belly rub, they will appreciate it.
