Thanksgiving Food Safety for Your Pets
As we approach another food-focused holiday, especially one where friends and family are about, it’s important to make sure everyone knows what is and what is not safe for the furry friends who will inevitably be about the table. While most of the concerns do center around the foods available, there are also concerns of comfort any time there is a major event.
If you do have many people coming and going, it’s a good idea to make sure you have a space set up where your pets feel comfortable relaxing. Preferably, this will be somewhere that will keep them away from the door while people are coming and going, so you don’t need to worry about any escapees. If your pet is anxious with a houseful of friends and family, Canna Companion may help alleviate situational anxieties. And when things move on to the main event, keep in mind the following restrictions, being sure to let your guests know as well.
Prohibited Foods
High fat foods: as many Thanksgiving items are, high fat meals can cause numerous problems for pets, especially pancreatitis and GI upset. Make sure you don’t give them any turkey skin or gravy from the table. If you cook with a lot of butter, keep that in mind when offering tasty treats.
Bones: be sure to keep bones away from your pets as they’re a serious choking hazard and can even perforate intestines, especially when cooked.
Onions: onions can garlic can be problematic as well, so no green bean casserole or stuffing either.
Alcohol: a lot of people go through a fair amount of alcohol in their cooking or on their table, and this all definitely needs to be kept from the four-legged members of the family.
Chocolate: dark chocolate is bad enough on its own, but now with so many people trying low carb diets, it’s even more crucial to keep pets away from all sweets, as many may contain xylitol.
Other hazards: fruit and spices like raisins and nutmeg often appear at the dinner table and are best left for human consumption.
Healthy Foods
If you’d like to include your dog or cat in the tradition, consider making them their own plate. Some will want to dine alone in a quiet spot, while others will think having their own place on the dining room floor is just dandy. (Just don’t let them beg for additional items once their meal is finished.)
The following items are good options (skip the seasoning as its too salty for pets):
- White meat turkey, cooked or raw, deboned, deskinned
- Sweet potatoes, cooked
- Green beans, cooked
- Carrots, cooked or raw
- Pumpkin, cooked
- Gravy made especially for them
Additionally, make sure to be wary of pets moving through the kitchen while cooking as they can serve as fine tripping hazards. With all these things in mind, you can have a very happy Thanksgiving for yourself and all your friends and family, furry or otherwise.
