We just wanted to share a few safety tips regarding some of the potential hazards to your pet
surrounding the Thanksgiving Holidays!
First, be careful with those Thanksgiving dinner table scraps and leftovers. Your pet’s digestive system
may not be used to the richness of some of those foods. So, vomiting, diarrhea, and even more severe
conditions such as pancreatitis can result and make for an unpleasant holiday weekend for everyone!
The bones from turkeys and other meats can be a potential hazard, as well. Some smaller bones
may be digestible, but some of these small pieces can have very sharp or jagged edges, which poses a risk for
perforation of the stomach or intestines. This can be a life-threatening condition and almost always
requires emergency surgery. Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins/grapes, to name a few, are also toxic to pets, so it’s best to keep table scraps and desserts away from your furry friends. Click here to view the ASPCA Pet Insurance list of 101 Household Pet Dangers.
Another danger as families get together for the holidays is the potential for dog bites and other fight-
related injuries. If your pet is not familiar with another family member’s pet, make sure to introduce
them gradually, and keep them separated if there are any signs of hostility. This is especially common
with an older dog who may not want to play as enthusiastically as a younger dog. Resource guarding,
where a pet is protective over a toy or food, can be another cause of altercations.
Stress and anxiety can be common for some pets, as well. Large, noisy gatherings may upset some pets,
especially those with a known anxiety history. Be sure to provide a quiet, safe space for your pet to
retreat to if the activity gets a little too overwhelming. Also, for those pets taking anxiety medications,
make sure to get any prescription refill requests called in in advance.
We wish you all a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday!
