Thanksgiving pet safety

Overindulging in the family feast can be unhealthy for humans, and even worse for pets. Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest. Poultry bones can damage your pet’s digestive tract. And holiday sweets can contain ingredients that are poisonous to pets.

Keep the feast on the table

Plain, boneless, and skinless turkey is generally safe for pets in small portions, but other table scraps—including gravy, sauces, dressing, and meat or poultry fat or skin—can be hard for pets to digest, and sometimes even a small amount can cause pancreatitis. The bones themselves can cause choking or intestinal blockage. Plus, many foods that are healthy for people are poisonous to pets, including onions, raisins, and grapes. If you want to share a Thanksgiving treat with your pet, make or buy a treat made just for them.

No pie or other desserts for your pets

Although small pieces of pumpkin can be a healthy snack for pets, pumpkin pie can contain ingredients that are toxic to animals, so it’s best to save pumpkin and other pies for human enjoyment. Chocolate can be harmful for pets, even though many dogs find it tempting and will sniff it out and eat it. The artificial sweetener called xylitol—commonly used in gum and sugar-free baked goods—also can be deadly if consumed by dogs or cats. Uncooked, yeast-based bread dough can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.

Put the trash away where pets can’t find it

Dispose of turkey carcasses, bones, and any related trash in a tightly secured trash bag placed in a closed container outdoors or behind a securely closed door.

Watch your pets around festive decorations

Some flowers and festive plants can be toxic to pets. These include amaryllis, baby’s breath, sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas, and more. Plus, festive table decorations like corn cobs, pine cones, or gourds can cause choking or intestinal blockage if swallowed. The ASPCA has lists of plants that are toxic to both dogs and cats, but the safest thing to do is simply to keep your pets away from all plants and table decorations.

If you’re hosting a gathering or overnight visitors, plan ahead to keep your pets safe and make the experience less stressful for everyone.

Remember that visitors can sometimes upset pets

If you know your dog or cat is nervous when people visit your home, put the animal in another room or a crate with a favorite toy. This will reduce the emotional stress on your pet and protect your guests from possible injury. If your pet gets particularly upset by houseguests, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions to this common problem.

Watch the exits

Even if your pet is comfortable around guests, make sure you watch them closely, especially when people are entering or leaving your home. While you’re welcoming hungry guests and collecting coats, your pet may make a break for it and become lost outdoors.

Also, make sure your pet has proper identification with your current contact information—particularly a microchip with up-to-date, registered information. That way, if they do sneak out, they’re far more likely to be returned to you. If your pet isn’t already microchipped, talk to your veterinarian about thebenefits of this simple procedure.

Consider your exotic pets

Remember that some people are uncomfortable around exotic pets and these animals may be more easily stressed by the festivities. For everyone’s safety, keep exotic pets away from your guests.

Whether you take your pets with you or leave them behind, you can take steps to safeguard them when traveling for Thanksgiving or at any other time.

Plan ahead for any travel

Your pet may need a health certificate from a veterinarian if you’re traveling across state lines or international borders, whether by air or land. Learn the requirements for any states or countries you will visit or pass through, and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, who can help ensure your pet gets the needed certificate within the timeframes required by those destinations.

Always safely restrain pets in vehicles

This means using a secure, fitted harness or appropriate-sized carrier, placed in a location clear of airbags. Doing this:

• Protects your pets if you get in an accident
• Prevents them from causing dangerous distractions for the driver
• Can prevent small animals from getting trapped in small spaces

If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup truck, never leave them loose. Use a secured and appropriately sized and ventilated dog kennel.

Talk with your veterinarian if you're traveling by air with your pet

Certain pets, such as short-nosed dogs and cats like Pugs and Persians, may have difficulty with air travel. Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you about your own pet’s ability to travel.

Protect your pet if you’re boarding them somewhere

Talk with your veterinarian to find out how best to protect your pet from contagious diseases, and to make sure your pet is up to date on vaccines.