8 Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe After Thankgiving

The turkeys may not enjoy Thanksgiving quite so much, but our forever friends definitely find time for celebration when it comes to the November festivities. Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to give thanks to one another for care, support, and all of the good times. Showing your appreciation for your furry friends is just as important, though, and the best way to do that is to ensure they remain happy and healthy. Staying up to date on pet health and safety concerns will allow you to keep your forever friends at their happiest, which will show them how grateful you are for their company! To help you with this, we have provided a list of common concerns that may rear their ugly heads after Turkey Day:

1. Table Food: Although it’s understandable that your pets may see a few more table scraps than usual due to the increased number of people in your home for the holidays, an over abundance could be problematic. Keeping an eye on the fatty or rich food intake for your pet is an easy way to keep the holidays merry, as the change in diet could cause any number of intestinal upsets.
2. Bones: Sure, dogs survived in the wild eating the meat and bones from animals for a long time before humans started keeping them as pets, but that doesn’t mean that the bones you’ve got left over from your beautiful holiday meal should be their reward! Cooked bones will often splinter and shatter and their sharp edges could cause serious damage.
3. Alcohol: Celebration often calls for a few adult beverages, but remember, adults are exactly who they’re for! Your pets’ bodies are not equipped to handle alcohol intake, and in fact even small amounts could result in seizures, respiratory failure, and even death. Keep empty bottles and containers out of Fido’s reach.
4. Chocolate: An oldie but a goodie, most pet owners are aware of the threat that chocolate consumption could pose to their forever friends. Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Jim, though, and those lovely children that are popping up from seemingly everywhere, may have been blissfully unaware, making it increasingly important to keep a watchful eye during cleanup.
5. Onions: Did you know that onions actually destroy red blood cells, diminishing their overall count in the bloodstream, and that this could cause anemia in your cat or dog? It’s true! Onions, garlic, chives: they all cause negative health concerns for your furry friend.
6. Garbage: Although your pet may be aiming to claim the tiny morsel of juicy dark meat turkey, they may encounter any number of things in the garbage on their way down. Items such as the strings from your turkey legs or Saran wrap from that yummy casserole could all be nabbed by accident and could cause an intestinal blockage in your furry friend.
7. “Quiet Time”: The laughter and merriment of all the family and friends may have been just a little bit too much for your pets. Be sure to keep an eye on their stress level and have a quiet room that they could retire to for some rest and relaxation if they need it. And if you’re worried you will have trouble providing that, you could always have them come camping at the Lodge at Brook Farm!
8. Be Prepared: Emergencies can happen! Being prepared is the best tool you have in your tool belt when it comes to your pet’s health and safety. Know when your nearest veterinary hospital or emergency center is open, and having their numbers easily accessible, could be the step that keeps you ahead of the game. Luckily, Brook Farm’s Urgent Care department offers plenty of late night and weekend hours to help you when you need it most!

Thanksgiving is a family holiday, and pet owners know that family extends to all the creatures in their home. Everyone at Brook Farm likes to consider each and every one of our community members part of our family, and keeping that family safe is our number one priority. Have a safe and happy holiday season!