Harmful Thanksgiving Foods
Thanksgiving is a warm, fuzzy time of year for many of us. The air outside is crisp, our homes are cozy, and it’s the perfect day to eat great food and snuggle on the couch with our pets. But it’s also a time to be cautious about what our pets might get into—or what we feed them from the Thanksgiving table.
Unfortunately, several of our favorite Thanksgiving treats are harmful to pets. The team at PetSmart Veterinary Services – Troy would like to share some of the most dangerous foods to keep away from your furry companions.
Toxic Foods to Avoid
Let’s start with some of the most toxic foods for pets. Many common ingredients found in holiday dishes can be dangerous or even life-threatening if ingested by your pet. These include:
- Onions, garlic, and chives – These fragrant plants are a key ingredient in stuffing, gravy, and seasoning, but they can damage your pet’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.
- Grapes and raisins – Found in certain desserts or stuffing, these can cause kidney failure in pets—even in small amounts.
- Chocolate – Chocolate is highly toxic to both dogs and cats and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even heart problems.
You don’t have to avoid using these ingredients in your cooking, but do make sure your pet doesn’t have access to them. Use a baby gate or pet gate to close off the kitchen and dining area, for example. Or, keep your pets in another room during busy cooking and eating times.
Be Careful with Fatty Foods
During Thanksgiving, fatty foods like turkey skin, buttered dishes, and rich gravies are common (and delicious!). And yes, your dog or cat would probably gobble up any of these dishes in a heartbeat.
But these foods are all high in fat. If your pet ingests an excess of high-fat foods, she can develop gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
So keep the turkey skin away from Fido’s curious nose, and offer him a fully cooked, boneless, skinless, and unseasoned piece of turkey instead.
Beware the Bones
While giving your pet a leftover turkey bone might seem natural, doing so is a serious risk. Cooked bones can splinter easily, which can cause choking and damage your pet’s digestive system. Your pet may even require emergency surgery as a result!
It’s best to avoid giving your pet any bones from the Thanksgiving meal, no matter how tempting it might be.
Stay Away From Sweets
For your pets, that is. You can eat all the pie you want!
Along with chocolate and raisins—common culprits in desserts—Thanksgiving feasts may include foods made with xylitol, a sugar substitute. Xylitol can be incredibly toxic to pets and cause seizures or even liver failure.
But guess what is safe for your pet?
Pumpkin! Not pumpkin pie filling or pumpkin pie, but cooked pumpkin chunks or small amounts of canned pumpkin. This sweet treat is a perfect Thanksgiving dessert for pets!
Have a Pet-Safe Thanksgiving
Along with small amounts of skinless, boneless, unseasoned cooked turkey and cooked, unseasoned pumpkin, pets can enjoy unseasoned:
- Cooked sweet potatoes
- Fresh, frozen, or canned green beans
- Apple slices
- Carrots
Make sure to include these treats on the menu for a happy Thanksgiving with your pet. If you need to schedule an appointment before, during, or Thanksgiving-time, the welcoming team at PetSmart Veterinary Services – Troy is here for you. Call us at (947) 225-0071 for all your veterinary needs.