Thanksgiving pet safety tipsThanksgiving is upon us, everyone! A time to be with family and friends and express our thanks for the past year. And of course, let’s not forget the food; turkey with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie – I could go on and on! The delicious smells fill the house all day long and make our stomachs growl in anticipation.

And if just the smells make us hungry, imagine what they’re doing to our pets! But today, we’re here to inform you about the dangers to feeding your pets your Thanksgiving leftovers and also give you some tips on how to safely feed your pets a delicious holiday meal.

  • Turkey is a tradition at the Thanksgiving table. According to the ASPCA, if you want to feed your pets some turkey, please make sure it is boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer raw or uncooked turkey, which may contain salmonella. PetMD says that you may feed your pet small pieces of boneless skinless white meat with excess fat removed.
  • Bones are a big no-no. While it may seem completely natural to hand your dog a bone, it can seriously damage your pet’s digestive tract and is not recommended.
  • No to alliums (i.e. onions, garlic, leeks, scallions) should be eaten by your pet. According to PetMD, while small, well cooked portions of these foods can be safe, if your pet eats them regularly, consuming large quantities of these foods can lead to toxic anemia.
  • Grapes and raisins are toxic to pets and can cause kidney failure in dogs.
  • Nuts that are high in fat can cause obstruction in dogs. This includes almonds, hickory and macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.
  • Table scraps in general can be dangerous in the sense that it can cause your pet to overeat, resulting in bloating and worst case scenario, stomach rupture.

Despite your best efforts, pets may end up getting their little paws on some foods that they shouldn’t. If your pet does, please call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 for advice and help.

Additionally, the veterinary costs associated with healing your pet from some of these conditions can be quite costly. For example, according to an infographic from TheDogTrainingSecret.com, treating food bloat costs between $500 – $1,000. The average cost to treat walnut poisoning is about $315.

Now that you’re in the know on how Thanksgiving scraps can negatively affect your pets (and your wallet!), be sure to let your visiting dinner guests in on the information as well! No doubt your adorable pets like to work their charm on everyone that comes through the door so be sure your guests are aware of the house rules on feeding table scraps.

A Feast Fit for a King

Can’t bear the thought of your pup not getting a special meal while you’re dining on a feast? Pumpkin is not only nutritious but also a great source of fiber. A small helping of pumpkin puree or pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie or pumpkin pie mix) can be a very healthy treat!

Additionally, you can pick up a couple of Thanksgiving treats for your pets online and at local pet stores. Here are a few you can keep your eyes open for!

Merrick Thanksgiving Day Dinner Sausage Dog Treat

Nature’s Variety Homestyle Turkey & Duck Canned Formula for Dogs

Stella & Chewy’s Tummy Ticklin’ Turkey Dinner for Cats

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends and we’ve been able to help you find a way to include your pets in the holiday feast this year!

Special Announcement!!

As we all know, the holidays are a time for giving. Valley Pet Loss is doing our best to give back to those less fortunate and have organized a Holiday Pet Food Drive this year! For the months of November and December, bring any canned pet food or dry pet food to our office during business hours. All donations will benefit the Valley Humane Society. Thank you in advance to any donation, big or small!

1st Annual Holiday Pet Food Drive
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Thanksgiving Safety Tips and our Holiday Food Drive!