Thanksgiving
The holidays are upon us again and with that it is time to talk pet safety with all the festivities. This blog will focus on Thanksgiving specifically and next month we will visit Christmas.
Thanksgiving brings food, friends, food, families, food, decorations, food, and did we mention food? The obvious hint at food isn’t just a hint; dietary indiscretion (a fun term for eating bad things) is the number one reason why pets go to the emergency room at Thanksgiving time. We’ve talked in previous blogs about the dangers of fatty foods. Turkey skin, ham, dressing, gravy, all the really good foods are high in fats and dogs do not digest them well. While the body is working overtime to process the extra fat it can cause a serious inflammation of the pancreas that can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, not wanting to eat, and can end up with a stay at the clinic for IV fluids and treatment. This is not a fun way to end Thanksgiving. Not only can the food be dangerous but so can the turkey bones, ham bones, corn cobs, or other items they can swallow and become stuck in the intestines. Also, consider the ingredients on some of the dishes. Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, walnuts, or macadamia nuts can cause life threatening problems to organ function or other systems of the body. So, please watch the fur babies. The best policy is to not give in and give them any extra Thanksgiving food love but if you must; please only give a small piece of white turkey meat (no skin), green beans, or plain sweet potato.
With the holidays everyone loves to visit family and friends too (to share food and love). With the coming and going into and out of the house, keep a close eye on escape attempts. Please keep collars with identification on your pets or keep them away from open doors. Microchipping your pet is also a great consideration to further protect against lost pets. Some pets can become scared with all the extra activity and people in the house and try to flee into open space where they become even more scared or panicked and run where they are not familiar; into busy streets, open fields, or just keep running until they are lost. If your pet seems nervous or anxious consider putting them in a quiet place in the house with a TV or radio on and their favorite toys or snuggle blanket.
Lastly, let’s briefly hit on decorations. If it rings, is shiny, or smells good than your pets will probably love it as much as you do. Try to keep decorations up out of the reach of pets or in areas where they cannot get to them. These things can also get stuck in the stomach or intestines causing pain, vomiting, and possibly surgery to remove. Not all pets care about decorations, but you know your baby and if he/she is a trouble maker than it’s best to avoid the possibility.
The holidays are a wonderful time of year to connect with friends, enjoy time with family, and gain ten pounds in the process. Just take some extra time to consider the four legged friends and family members in your planning and celebrating.
We hope you have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!!!