Thanksgiving and your pets - keeping them safe
The holiday season is fast approaching. As you prepare for the first family feast of the season, remember your pets in the preparation of these festivities.
1) Avoid feeding your pet table scraps as this may cause, at a minimum, weight gain, and we all want to avoid that this season. Keep turkey bones away from your pets. These dangerous treats can splinter on consumption and cause grave injury.
2) Pets thrive on routine. Please make sure your holiday guests understand your pet's "house rules" when it comes to play time, treats, jumping, getting on counters, table scraps, and the like. Help them to keep your pet mindful of its training and good manners.
3) Chocolate should be kept out of your dog’s reach all the time. It is a toxic substance to animals.
4) Be careful with candles and do not leave them unattended as a wayward tail can knock them down and potentially cause a fire.
5) Close that oven door promptly lest a cat jump inside seeking a warm place.
6) Secure the trash can so dogs cannot tip them over and get into items that could be harmful.
7) If you are having several guests over, put your pets in a separate room with some toys and a soft place to lie. Soft music playing, especially classical, also helps them to relax. Pets that have their own room will feel safer; less stressed and won’t be able to accidentally escape out the front door.
8) Also remember:Keep current identification on your pet at all times. With holiday parties and guests abounding, your pet may have more opportunities to escape. Buy a new ID tag for your pet here. Remember how much your pet values time with you. Make time to spend doing things that you both enjoy.
9) Decorations - keep out of reach of playful pets. Ribbons and sparking lights can be harmful or fatal.
10)Turkey and other holiday food — If you are serving turkey, NEVER give leftovers to your pets, and be especially cautious as cooked bones (and rich holiday foods) can be fatal.
- Baking strings, if ingested, can create trouble if ingested by your pet.
- Onions in holiday stuffing can lead to canine anemia if consumed by your dog.
- Grapes and raisin toxins can cause kidney failure in pets.
- Ingesting chocolate can kill your pet.
- Caffeine and alcohol are also toxic for pets
11) The animal behaviorist suggests that pet households plan on providing appropriate chew toys or food occupation devices for pets during holiday activities. "The Kong Company produces a goodie dispenser that keeps dogs occupied. They also have some cat toys that provide similar activity. Most pet stores carry these products. The investment and preparation can insure that you have a happy and healthy holiday."
12) Even so, it never hurts to keep your emergency vet clinic or veterinary hospital number handy. You never know when you will encounter a disaster due to any of your pet activity.
13) Holiday threats to animals can include seasonal decorations, ornamental lighting, ingestion of inappropriate or toxic items, excessive consumption of rich foods or harmful food, candle flames, and many other hazards."
14) Before you sit down to feast, it is suggested that you take away temptation-from both guests and pets. " If you feed pets before the guests arrive you reduce the temptation for begging and stealing.
15) One of the easiest ways to avoid trouble is to make sure your guests know the pet rules and discourage them from feeding critters scraps from the table. The best approach is to make sure any animal is occupied with a chewy or playmates in another room.
