Every fall, families gather to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. While many enjoy feasting on this day of thanks, a lot of families let the family pet feast as well. While there is nothing wrong with giving a pet a hunk of dry, white meat, there are some holiday precautions that should be taken to avoid sickness and harm.
One of the biggest food safety hazards during Thanksgiving comes in the form of small, cooked turkey bones, or other cooked bones from meat carcasses. Cooked bones are very harmful to animals and they should never be given as a treat. Because they are cooked, the bones are soft and may splinter inside of the animal, which can puncture internal organs. Dogs can have raw, meaty bones with supervision. Another hazard with meats are the ropes that are used to bind roasts. All it takes is leaving the garbage unsupervised or in the wrong place for a dog to smell the leftover feast and swallow the ropes whole, which could lead to a stomach or intestinal blockage, or choking. Always discard unused food parts in a place where pets can?t get to them.
Other foods pose problems during the holidays as well. Sage, which is often used to spice up stuffing and other Thanksgiving dishes, should not be given to pets, as it can cause an upset stomach if ingested in large quantities. Cats should especially avoid this herb. Desserts, especially ones that are made with alcoholic beverages or rich in chocolate, can be toxic to pets. Alcohol can lead to a coma or even death, and chocolate can cause many problems (like hyperactivity or cardiac arrhythmia, outlined here).
If a lot of guests are expected, make sure timid or wandering pets are in a secure area. Many pets go missing when guests who don?t understand this importance or don?t look for it to accidentally let a cat slip out the door, and the absence noticed hours later after guests leave. Pets can be secured easily with crates or by being left in a separate bedroom. Another option is boarding if expecting a full house for days on end. It might hurt to not spend the holiday with family pets, but in the long run, it is better than being lost or hurt. Always make sure pets are wearing the appropriate identification tags as well.
When planning for a family get together during Thanksgiving, don?t forget to ensure that the family pet is safe too!
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This article was written by My Pet Saving?s contributor Melissa. She has a master?s degree in creative writing, owns several pets and runs her own online pet magazine. To learn more about this author check out the contributor profile page.
Related posts:
- The Great Rawhide Debate
- Introducing Your Pet To A New Diet
- The Importance of Dental Health for Dogs and Cats
Source: http://www.mypetsavings.com/2011/11/thanksgiving-safety-for-pets.html
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