Thanksgiving safety tips for your pets

BY KIM BRADLEY, Paws 4 Safety

What a wonderful time of year! The leaves are falling and with the warm colors of the festivities to come.  For many, homes are decorated and toasty warm awaiting the arrival of friends and relatives or the kids home on a break from school to add to the hustle and bustle of this Thanksgiving holiday. 

But what about our pets? And even more challenging, the visiting pets.

Veterinarian offices consistently report a spike in emergency visits during Thanksgiving week. Some studies show one in six dog owners will require an emergency visit to the vet during the Thanksgiving holiday week alone.  Talk about putting a damper on the festivities!

These visits will be predominately due to food toxicity or choking on a bone. I know it sure seems like the thing to do, sharing a little turkey and all the trimmings, especially while cleaning up. We’ve all heard the stories about how pets, especially dogs, were given scraps; sometimes that’s all people had to give them. Have you ever noticed, somehow the subject of how many pets choked, got gravely ill or even worse, was always left out of the conversation? Turkey bones in particular are especially dangerous because they splinter easily after cooking, making them easier to lodge in the pet’s throat or digestive tract. And remember, fatty foods can lead to pancreatitis.  Even the ASPCA animal poison control center reports a significant increase in calls mostly due to food-related issues during this time of year. 

So, what can we do to ensure our pets have as enjoyable holiday along with us?  Here are some tips for keeping our pets and visiting pets safe from holiday mishaps. 

·       Don’t give your pets the table scraps from the wonderful feast!  Even if you give your pets bones occasionally, this is NOT the time to do so. With so much going on it’s a challenge to keep up with everything else, with no good time left to monitor a pet with a bone! 

·       Keep the trash in the trash! Pets have a way of “sneaking” bits and pieces when we’re not looking.  Make sure the trash is in its proper place AWAY from your pets. 

·       Remind your visitors/guests to PLEASE NOT FEED SCRAPS to your pets! Go ahead, your pets can’t speak for themselves and don’t know any better, so you must do it for them. Even better, designate a safe, quiet place for your pets to rest and relax, away from guests and the temptations that can come from the smell of all of that yummy food.

·       Don’t forget the open doors. I know for myself, if I have a visitor that doesn’t have pets themselves, they will often stand with the door open, not meaning to but totally unaware that pets will take advantage of that open door and sometimes even go unnoticed right out. It’s really hard to have a happy, enjoyable day when you notice your pet is missing. 

·       Beware of holiday decorations. They can be very enticing to a pet especially since they may not be used to them, and the decorations will often have your scent on them. This is also the time people will begin to give holiday plants as decoration. Many plants are harmful and/or toxic to pets. Do your research and be sure the plants you give or get are safe for pets. Be especially careful with candles, electrical cords etc. 

With just a little bit of preparation and caution you can help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for both you and your pets! 

Wishing you a truly blessed and happy holiday from Paws 4 Safety!