Although Thanksgiving may seem harmless, it’s important to keep a few things in mind when celebrating around pets.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it’s highly important to remember these things to keep your pet as safe as possible, and avoid high vet bills. Not only are there foods to avoid, but it’s also crucial to watch pets around festive decorations and people they aren’t quite used to.
What foods should I avoid feeding my pets?
Something that you may not think twice about giving to your pup is a bone, but it could actually be incredibly dangerous. Bones from your Thanksgiving ham or turkey have the potential to splinter and end up lodged in places like your dog’s gums and their gastrointestinal tract. Other common Thanksgiving foods that should be avoided include onions, garlic, scallions, chives, chocolate, uncooked bread dough, alcohol, grapes / raisins, and macadamia nuts. You should also avoid anything with xylitol in it. This is a sugar substitute in many candies or baked goods, and could lead to severe illness and even death. If you think your pet may have ingested any of these things, monitor them for signs of being ill, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and any other behavior that you wouldn’t consider normal for your animal.
What should I do in case of accidental pet poisoning?
Luckily, there is a pet poison hotline you can call if you think your pet is in serious danger from eating something they shouldn’t have. The number for the 24/7 animal poison control hotline is (855)-764-7661. All you have to do is call, explain what your pet got into, and they will tell you what the best action plan is. Please know that a $59 incident fee is charged by this hotline, which includes initial help as well as follow-up consultations. Never try to induce vomiting, or give any home antidotes, both things could make the situation even worse. Follow any instructions the hotline provides, and get emergency vet attention if required. Remember that some foods that are healthy for humans could literally mean life or death for our pets.
What are the do’s and don’ts of decorations?
If you’re like most, you probably have at least a few festive decorations out. Common decorations may include candles, pine cones, and pine needles, all of which pose a major threat to animals. Both cats and dogs love to chew, so it’s important to make sure to keep anything they might chew on completely out of reach. If things are ingested that shouldn’t, it can cause gastrointestinal issues. Another thing to watch out for is candles. You may decide to light a candle to add a bit of extra decor to a room, but you should never leave a lit candle and a curious animal in the same room. We all know that cats are notorious for being naughty and pushing things over.
Staying safe while traveling during the holidays
Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel holidays. Everyone is eager to travel back home, eat a good meal, and maybe even catch a football game or two. But it’s important to make travel plans for your pets too. If you decide to leave your pet behind while you travel, make sure you do your research and leave them with someone trusted, like Pampered Pups! If you decide to take your pets with you, make sure you have everything you’re going to need to keep them safe. Always have your pet in a travel carrier or or look into seat belt harnesses. It will keep them from distracting you from your driving, and in case of an accident your pet won’t get lost in all of the chaos. Remember to never travel anywhere with your animal outside of your vehicle, such as truck beds or an external cargo holder. Consult your vet if you decide to travel by air, as it may be a health risk for certain breeds of animals.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving with these tips
Remembering these tips could save your pets lives this Thanksgiving. Of course there are still things you can feed your furry friends, just make sure you know for a fact that they’re safe. Never leave animals around decorations that you wouldn’t leave a small child around. And always do your research when getting ready to travel with pets.
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Pampered Pups!
We provide a FREE, no obligation consultation so you can meet the sitter and make sure the sitter bonds with your dog. We trust you will find your sitter to be caring, responsible, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and of course, have a great love of dogs.
Your Pampered Pups Dog Sitter is insured, bonded, and a member of PSI, Pet Sitters International – the largest organization of its kind.
References available upon request, please contact us at 972-897-8464
Or, by email at: wendycraigpayne@gmail.com
If you’re interested in working with us, please fill out an application here!