Thanksgiving 2017: Keeping Your Pets Safe During The Holidays

There is always so much going on around the Thanksgiving holidays that it’s easy to lose sight of keeping your pets safe. Whether you are staying at home or traveling, the veterinarians at the American Veterinary Medical Foundation have some tips to keep your pets healthy and safe during the holidays.

Le’s face it, Thanksgiving dinner can be on the fatty side. That’s not great for humans, but it's especially not good for pets.

Fatty foods are difficult for animals to digest, and we all know about giving poultry bones to your pet. Don’t do it; they can damage the digestive tract.

So the best thing is to keep the feast on the table and not under it, the AVMA said.

Eating turkey or turkey skin can cause pancreatitis in pets, and it’s a life-threatening condition. Remember that onions, raisins and grapes are poisonous for pets.

Pie or other desserts are a no-no for pets, and yeast dough can cause gas and potentially dangerous bloating in animals, according to veterinarians.

While you are cooking and after dinner, make certain that the trash is where your pets cannot get to it. Yes, the carcass of that 20-pound bird is tempting to pets, so make sure it is well out of their reach.

If you think your pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have or has been poisoned, call your veterinarian or local animal emergency clinic immediately.

The AVMA said signs of pet distress include sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting or diarrhea.

There are many more tips about keeping your pet safe during the holidays, especially while you are entertaining or traveling. To read more, go the AVMA’s website here.

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