Mokena Animal Clinic – Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pet Owners
As your trusted local veterinarian, our team at Mokena Animal Hospital wants to help make sure you and your pets are ready for a fantastic Thanksgiving celebration this year. Whether you’re cooking at home or you’re headed out to visit friends and family, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure that Fido and Fluffy will be safe and comfortable during the holidays. Follow our expert tips to make sure that this Thanksgiving is a relaxing and care-free time for everyone in your family.
Holiday Safety Tips: Keep Your Pets Happy and Safe This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a special time of year that is meant to be shared with friends and family. But this can also be a stressful time of the year for family pets. Unfortunately, they won’t be very thankful if they catch a stray bone or happen upon a potentially poisonous floral arrangement, so be sure to follow our helpful safety tips this Thanksgiving.
Avoid Feeding Pets Table Scraps
The temptation to give your pets a taste of your fantastic Thanksgiving meal can be hard to deny but table scraps can cause health problems if not monitored closely. If you do decide to give them some turkey or other treats, make sure their portion is free from bones and well-cooked. Never offer pets raw or undercooked turkey and keep them away from the carcass when you’re finished, as the cooked bones can splinter.
Say No to Yeasty Dough
Additionally, pets may be interested in any bread dough or other pastry that you use over the holidays but they should stay clear. If dogs or cats eat raw yeast dough they can become bloated. While the bloat may seem harmless at first, in some cases your pet may need emergency veterinarian care to recover.
No Sweets
Pets can be nosy companions in the kitchen while you and your family bake up a storm but they should be kept away from raw ingredients. If you are baking cakes, pies, and other holiday sweets, keep pets from ingesting raw eggs and other ingredients that could contain salmonella and lead to food poisoning.
Additionally, chocolate and other sweets can be poisonous to dogs and cause major health issues, including death. So be sure that they are not allowed access to your sweet treats.
Offer Pet-Friendly Alternatives
You don’t have to exclude your pets from enjoying a special holiday feast that is fit for a king. In fact, with a little careful planning, they can enjoy a safe and pet-friendly meal of their own. Keep them from begging at the table and provide them with a few chew bones or other treats that will keep them happy. Alternatively, you can place a few cooked veggies (sweet potato is always a hit) and bits of turkey inside a food puzzle toy to keep them happily distracted while you and your guests enjoy your meal.
Give Pets a Safe Place to Rest
All of the hustle and bustle of a holiday celebration can be overwhelming for the most seasoned host, let alone the family pets. Keep in mind that even sociable pets may need a calm and quiet space to rest and relax from the festivities during your Thanksgiving celebration. So be sure to find a comfortable room in the home that is far away from the action where they can hang out if they are having a little too much fun.
Contact Mokena Animal Hospital in Case of an Emergency
With a few precautionary steps and little extra TLC, you and your pets can have a blast this holiday season. At Mokena Animal Hospital, we want our patients and their families to enjoy a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving. Call 708-479-2811 or visit our friendly staff online today for more pet safety tips and to schedule an appointment with our veterinarian.
