Top 5 safety tips to avoid a pet emergency this Thanksgiving

    thanksgiving safety

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, giving thanks and, of course, food! But Thanksgiving can also present some hidden dangers for our pets. With a feast of turkey, stuffing and pies filling the house with tempting aromas, it's easy for pets to get into trouble. Here are the top Thanksgiving pet safety tips to ensure a safe holiday and prevent pet emergencies.

 
 


The most common Thanksgiving dangers usually come in one of a few flavors:

  1. Be aware of toxic foods:

    Our culinary masterpieces can sometimes hide ingredients that are poisonous to pets, like chocolate, grapes, raisins, currants, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Keep these toxic foods away from pets and remind guests not to share their plates.

  2. Avoid fatty foods:

    Butter, meat drippings, gravies, dark turkey meat and other fatty foods can cause gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea and vomiting). Worse yet, fatty foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas, a condition known as pancreatitis, which may require hospitalization. If you can’t help but share, provide your pet with plain pumpkin or sweet potatoes with some chopped apple and a sprinkling of white meat—remember, moderation is key!

  3. Prevent choking and obstructions: 

    Bones, corncobs, twine from trussing the turkey and foil to keep dishes warm can all get stuck in the digestive tract, potentially requiring surgical removal. Yeast dough is dangerous because it expands in the stomach and produces alcohol, which can result in alcohol poisoning.

  4. Watch the floral centerpieces: 

    Holiday decorations bring a festive vibe to the dinner table but can pose a risk to pets. Floral arrangements may contain flowers that are toxic to pets—each plant posing a different danger. Lilies may range from non-toxic to dangerous for dogs, while most varieties can be deadly for cats. Even a small amount of the vase water or pollen can result in severe, acute kidney failure in cats. Ensure your flower arrangements are non-toxic.

  5. Opt for pet-safe candles: 

    Candles can result in burns or get accidentally knocked over. Consider using pet-friendly, battery-operated candles at your table.

Thanksgiving Day pet safety tips

Pets can get quite crafty trying to get to the mouthwatering fare, but a few precautions will keep their eager stomachs out of harm’s way. On Thanksgiving Day, take these precautions to ensure your pet’s safety:

  • Keep food and drinks out of reach: 

    Don’t leave dishes unattended or in places where your pet can easily jump to reach them.

  • Block off the kitchen:

    Use baby gates or close doors to prevent your pet from accessing unsupervised food prep areas.

  • Secure garbage cans:

    Pets love getting into the trash, so use a heavy, secure lid to avoid accidental ingestion of harmful foods and take the trash out before heading to bed.

If you believe your pet has eaten something toxic, don’t panic. If possible, figure out what was eaten, then contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away. 

Have questions during Turkey Day? With Live Chat* through the myVCA app, our licensed veterinary professionals are always ready to answer your questions anytime, day or night. Download the myVCA app>>

*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.