Are your pets ready for Thanksgiving? Prepare with these food safety tips!
The holiday season is here, and that includes Thanksgiving Day! Thanksgiving is a great time to spend with family and friends, eat scrumptious food, and be thankful for all the good things we’ve experienced this year. Pets can get in on the celebration, too, but keep these Thanksgiving food safety tips for pets in mind!
Top Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips for Pets
Know What Foods Are Toxic for Your Pets
The first step is to know what foods are off-limits for your pets. Some foods that people eat are poisonous and life-threatening to dogs and cats. Find our lists of toxic dog foods and toxic cat foods here.
Do Not Feed Your Pets Bones or Table Scraps
It might be tempting to give your pet a little extra from the table, especially if they beg or you don’t like the food (although hopefully that won’t happen!) Do not do it, as you might risk your pet’s health. Also, do away with the notion of giving your dogs scrap bones for chewing; they could injure your pet’s mouth or cause choking.
Supervise Your Pet at All Times
Keep an eye on your pet at all times. Do not let your pet go into any dangerous zone or start rummaging in or chewing on things it shouldn’t. Stop your pet from chewing on poisonous plants, holiday decorations, and electrical cords. If you cannot supervise your pet at the gathering, be sure to know where your pet is.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
Be prepared for the worst. Have your vet’s emergency number and the poison control center’s number written down in an easy-to-find place, like on the fridge. If your pet is choking, know how to relieve your pet (it is similar to the Heimlich maneuver.) Also, know how to perform CPR on your pet.
Manage Your Pet’s Energy and Stress Level
Your pet is less likely to get into something it shouldn’t if you have given it enough attention and exercise. Play with your pet early enough before the dinner; make it a part of games on Thanksgiving Day. Give it plenty of love and attention. Also, if your pet is anxious in crowds, let it have a quiet room to escape to.
Make Your Pet a Special Thanksgiving Dish
Your dog or cat is also less likely to eat something it shouldn’t if you give it a satisfying treat of its own. Create a special Thanksgiving dish for your pet to celebrate safely along with you!
Trust the Care of Your Pet to the Professionals at Everhart Veterinary Medicine!
At Everhart Veterinary Medicine, our veterinary professionals strive to provide your pet with the very best of veterinary care. We believe that the best care for your pet should be provided by experienced, compassionate, and knowledgeable veterinary professionals. With three Maryland locations in Baltimore, Pasadena, and Cross Keys, we are always ready to welcome your pet as a new patient! Give us a call today at 410-355-3131, 410-793-7670, or 443-470-6790! For more information, as well as updates on veterinary news and topics, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!