[Pet] Food for Thought this Thanksgiving
Believe it or not, Thanksgiving is only two short weeks away! Many pet owners, including some our team members, like to include their pets in the holiday celebrations and traditions.
We 100% understand that pets are a member of the family, but what many pet owners may believe to be a heartfelt gesture to “treat” their pet on this food-filled day could potentially lead to an emergency vet visit.
Here are a few tips to keep your pet (and your family) safe during the upcoming festivities and holiday fun.
Toss the Turkey Bones
Offering your dog a bone from either a turkey or ham could easily become a life threatening choking hazard, or it could eventually cause a blockage in their intestines requiring emergency surgery. Be sure to keep any bones in a safe place, far away from your pets can get them.
Skip the Table Scraps
Table scraps can also pose a real threat to some pets. Many Thanksgiving dishes are cooked with butter, high in fat and grease, or contain various foods that are toxic to pets. A small piece of cooked, lean turkey should be safe for the majority of pets, but greasy foods and foods high in fat can easily cause vomiting, diarrhea, or severe illness such as pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.
Keep Your Kitchen Pet-Free
Keeping your pets, both cats and dogs, out of the kitchen during busy food prep and cooking times in the kitchen could prevent people, as well as pets, from getting injured. Pets are often curious with all the smells and sounds coming from the kitchen. Pets being in the kitchen can lead to tripping up a person carrying a boiling pan or hot grease. Putting up a baby gate or blocking the entrance to the kitchen can ensure the pet will not harm itself or accidentally the owner by getting caught up underneath their feet.
If Playing Host, Provide a Calm Space for Pets
Celebrating the holidays often means having a lot of people in the house. For some pets this may cause extra anxiety and stress. Rather than forcing your pet to partake in the hustle and bustle of friends and family gatherings, offer them a quiet secluded space in the house where they can relax.
Final Thoughts
Remember, every pet is different in how they handle and adapt to events with several guests or children. Make sure to keep harmful food out of sight and paws reach this holiday season. Download our Hazards in the Home handout for a complete list of foods and everyday items that are harmful to pets.
If you believe your pet has ingested something it shouldn’t, please contact one of our dapoxetine online clinics or an emergency clinic immediately for further instructions. See our list of recommended after-hour emergency clinics below.
IndyVet Emergency & Specialty Hospital
5425 Victory Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46203
317-782-4484
indyvet.com
Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Care South
4625 East Stop 11 Road
Indianapolis, IN 46237
317-534-6000
vsecindy.com/south
VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center
7712 Crosspoint Commons
Fishers, IN, 46038
317-578-4100
vcahospitals.com/advanced-veterinary-care-center