Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and although we love to include our pets in this feast-filled, family-oriented holiday, your best bet is to limit celebration to your two-legged loved ones only. This doesn’t mean you have to ban your pet to a kennel once the turkey is in the oven. Here’s what to keep in mind as you prep your Thanksgiving table…
As tempting as it is to let Fido indulge in a tasty turkey bone, choose your treats wisely: a small piece of cooked turkey meat is fine, but a bone could lodge in his intestines. Remember: much of Thanksgiving food is rich and harmful for our four-legged friends. As a general rule of thumb: a small taste of plain turkey meat or roasted potatoes is fine, but limiting your dog’s access to rich table scraps will save you from a potential trip to the vet, or at the very least, a night spent nursing a very sick pup. One tip for the holiday season is to throw all table scraps and kitchen garbage into a disposal with a lid – this way you don’t have to worry about your pet sneaking through the trash while you dine with your guests.
Have a cat? Keep an eye on the table arrangements – many cut flowers such as lilies and iris’ are poisonous and potentially fatal to felines, even in small doses. To be safe, keep cut plants and flowers out of your cat’s reach. This goes for all Thanksgiving decorations, including lights, strings, candles, and potpourri, which may also intrigue a curious furry friend.
If you plan on having guests, take care to ensure your dog or cat isn’t near your entrance during the chaos of arrival, as a kitty or pup may be tempted to slip out and go for a little adventure. And if your pet becomes distressed during the commotion, sequestering him or her to a bedroom will save you and your furry friend the song and dance of juggling an anxious pet while welcoming guests in your home.
Lastly, if staying on top of your pet becomes too much in the midst of the holidays (understandably so), or if you plan to escape the city, Pampered Pets offers both dog and cat overnight stays, where we keep your pet company while you’re away.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
