When celebrating Thanksgiving, it's important to take your pet's well-being into account as well. Here are our 5 tips to make sure that your Thanksgiving celebration is both pet-friendly and fun!
1. Give your pet some peace and calm on Thanksgiving
While you probably want your pet to join in on the Thanksgiving fun, some pets get stressed or anxious around strangers. If it looks like your pet needs time on their own, don't force them to interact with your guests. Instead, make sure they have a calm area away from everyone to retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed. In addition, let them take the time they need to feel comfortable. If they decide to come out at some point, they will do so when they are ready.
Even if your pet is familiar with your guests, they should still be given the time they need to adapt to the change in their environment. Let your guests know that they should not bother your pet while they are in their safe and calm zone. They should wait until your pet comes out to them on their own. This will ensure that your pet has a pleasant experience and doesn’t feel stressed.
2. Make sure your Thanksgiving decorations are pet-friendly
When buying decorations and setting them up around the house, make sure that you keep your pet's safety in mind. For example, it’s important to make sure that the decorations cannot be accidentally ingested. Do not use any decorations that your pet can choke on. The decorations shouldn't be sharp, toxic, or dangerous.
3. Don't share your Thanksgiving feast with your furry friend
Many of the types of food that we eat on Thanksgiving are toxic or dangerous for cats and dogs. For example, chocolate is not safe for pets. For this reason, it’s important to be very careful when you eat desserts such as pie with your pet around. Some other foods that you should keep away from your pet include fatty foods, sugary foods, grapes, and onions.
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In case your pet accidentally ingests something that is not safe for them, make sure you can easily find your vet’s contact information and poison control numbers. This will ensure that you can get into contact with people that can help you as quickly as possible.
It’s also imperative to keep an eye on the food and how you store it. If you leave food out throughout the day, bacteria can start to grow. There could be a risk of salmonella, for example. Not only is this dangerous for you, but for your pet as well.
When throwing a Thanksgiving celebration, make sure to keep all drinks out of reach of your pets. This is especially important for alcohol. These types of drinks can be toxic for pets.
However, there are a few Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs in small quantities. For example, it’s possible for a dog to eat unseasoned green beans, pumpkin, and turkey meat without bones or skin.
4. Make sure your pet cannot access your trash
It's important to verify that your pet cannot access the trash. This is because there are many dangerous things that can be found in there. For instance, your pet could be interested in what you threw away and try to find their way in there. They may accidentally eat turkey bones that can be dangerous when ingested.
5. Prevent your pet from running away
To protect your pet and make sure that they do not run away, keep an eye on and protect all exits. Ensure that they cannot get out through an open window, door, or sliding door. In addition, make sure that your guests are aware that they need to keep all doors and windows closed. Making sure that your pet is microchipped is also good way to keep them safe and make sure that people can help your pet find their way back to you. If possible, it is also useful to have your pet wear an ID tag so that if they do get away, people can easily contact you easily and make sure that your pet finds their way back home.
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Source: AVMA FamilyAmerican Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), DoveLewis, The American Kennel Club, Inc., Max’s Corner
