Ask a Vet: Thanksgiving Dinner: A Potential Hazard

We all know our pets are no fools. They recognize when good food is being cooked and served. They notice when family members are busy and distracted. Some can even pick out a "softie" sitting at the table (often a family guest) who will become weak looking at the pet's pleading face and decide to share their meal. To pets, Thanksgiving is an opportunity.

However, what your pet doesn't know is that this opportunity puts them at risk for serious problems, like intestinal blockage, choking from a swallowed bone, pancreatitis or gastroenteritis from too much or too rich food or even toxicity from something like raisins or onions eaten in the stuffing. 

For their safety, it's a good idea to keep pets out of any area where food is being prepared or served until everything is cleaned up. This will prevent their opportunity to beg and keep them from getting into food they shouldn't. Also, watch the garbage closely. Garbage lids should be secure and when taking walks, be alert as you pass neighborhood garbage cans the following week. These precautions will lessen the chance you'll spend Black Friday cleaning undesirable things off your carpet-- or worse yet, visit the emergency vet with your pet.

If you want to share a little of your meal with your pet, make sure it's small (from their perspective, not necessarily yours).  Also be sure there's no fat, bones, or seasonings on the food you offer.  All of these things can make your pet very ill.  Keep in mind some foods can actually be toxic to dogs and cats, including (but not limited to) grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions, and chocolate.

Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!  If you have any question or topic you'd like discussed in this blog, please e-mail it to dr.amy@woodridgeanimalhospital.com.