With the holidays upon us, many dog owners may feel a tendency to include their furry friend in the festivities – including the food. However, most of the food we enjoy at Thanksgiving is unsafe for dogs.
The best practice for dog owners is to only feed your pup what he eats every day – his regular dog food. Anytime you add food to his diet you run the risk of causing an upset stomach or a more severe reaction. All dog owners know it is very difficult to say no to those sweet puppy eyes but doing so can save their life.
These Thanksgiving foods are particularly concerning and should not be fed to your dog:
Turkey Bones and Skin
Most dog owners have heard that turkey can be dangerous for dogs. This is partially true. Skinless, unseasoned white turkey meat that has been cooked properly, in small portions, is fine for your pup. Many commercial dog foods have turkey as an ingredient as it is rich in nutrients, especially protein.
However, the danger is in other parts of your holiday turkey. It is critical to avoid the skin (due to the seasonings) and turkey bones. Eating a turkey bone can cause indigestion in dogs which may make the pup vomit or obstruct his bowel. In severe cases, the bone can splinter causing damage to the stomach or intestines triggering a fatal infection.
Side Dishes
Most of us prepare our stuffing and mashed potatoes with seasonings and additional ingredients such as onions, garlic, butter and/or milk. These can all cause problems for your pup. Milk and butter can cause diarrhea while onion and garlic are toxic to pets. The best bet is to avoid feeding these side dishes to your pup.
Desserts
Thanksgiving is when we serve delicious desserts that are tempting for your dog. However, many can prove fatal if ingested by your pup. Be sure to keep any dishes with raisins, grapes and chocolate far away from your furry friend. All of these are toxic and can cause irreversible and possible fatal consequences.
It is also important explain the dangers of feeding pups from the table to your visiting friends and family. Ask your holiday guests to refrain from feeding your furry friends from the table.
If you are ever unsure if a food is unsafe for your pup, check with your veterinarian. They know your dog best and can help provide helpful guidance. On holidays, or days when your veterinarian is closed, refrain from feeding your pup from the table – it is better to be safe than sorry.
Lastly, if your pup does eat any of these foods, call your veterinarian immediately. It is a good idea to always know your veterinarian’s holiday/weekend hours and have a plan in place in the case of an emergency. Most areas have pet hospitals that are open every day of the year, 24 hours/day. Take some time now to plan and identify your pet emergency protocol.