Thanksgiving Safety Tips For Dogs

Who doesn’t love a holiday centered around food? Certainly not me! Or my dogs. And with Turkey Day just a week away, now is the perfect time to talk Thanksgiving safety tips for dogs!

do as I say, not as i do

I’m going to eat ALL. THE. THINGS. on Thanksgiving Day. I will most definitely put myself in a food coma. But the number one thing to keep your dog safe this Thanksgiving is NOT using the holiday as an excuse to over feed or over indulge your dog. Even dog-safe Thanksgiving foods can cause gastrointestinal upset for your dog if it’s too far off course from their normal diet. Go ahead and give them a special treat! Just don’t over do it.

Feed this

The base of many Thanksgiving favorites are completely heathy for your dog to enjoy in moderation. For example, sweet potatoes are a great choices to share with your dog….BEFORE you add butter, cinnamon, sugar, marshmallows and pecans. Plain pumpkin puree – something I often keep on hand for upset dog tummies – is a dog safe treat, until you’ve turned it into pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving favorites that can be shared with your dog when in their natural state (sans additional flavor enhancers) include:

• Lean turkey without skin, or bones
• Apples slices, without core or seeds
• Unsweetened pumpkin puree
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Green beans
• A small bite of cheese, hold the mac

Remember, moderation is key. If your dog doesn’t normally get table food like this, don’t suddenly give them all these “safe” items, as that can still upset your dog’s belly. Give only a bite, or two, and an extra helping of attention with a belly rub, and call it a feast!

not that

If you’ve not yet gathered it, do not give your dogs foods that are enhanced with butter, sugar, salt, pepper, other seasonings, etc.

Thanksgiving items to avoid giving your dog include:

• Fatty meats, bones, skin, gravy
• Seeds or cores
• Onions, scallions, garlic
• Raisins or grapes
• Butter, or other seasonings
• Any normally healthy vegetable now creamed or mashed or made into a casserole
• Yeast dough
• Sugar, sweets, or anything containing Xylitol
• Alcohol

Other Thanksgiving tips to keep your dog safe

• Keep trash secure and out of reach. This goes not only for those food items that should be off limits, but also for foil or other wrappings that can cause blockages if ingested by your dog.
• Ensure guests’ belongings are out of reach (Xylitol gum or candy, or medications can pose a problem if your dog rifles through a guest’s bag).
• If you suspect a problem with your pup, react quickly. Visit your local veterinary emergency center, or call Animal Poison Control.

Following these common sense Thanksgiving safety tips for dogs will have you, and your dog, feeling thankful this Thanksgiving holiday!