It's always so tempting to share juicy Thanksgiving Day table scraps with our dogs. But some foods can pose serious hazards for our loyal companions because their metabolism is different than ours.
I thought I would share a few tips I have come across over the years on keeping your furry friend safe this holiday season. Remember, it's better to give thanks to our pets rather than harmful foods that add to their waistline and upset their systems.
Avoid these harmful items:
1. Turkey Skin - Thanksgiving turkey skin can be especially fatty and hard to digest because of the butter, oils, and spices rubbed into it. Â However, if you must give treats, choose some white meat, peel off the skin, and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces for your dog. It's a little blander and easier for your friend to digest.
2. Cooked Bones - Cooked duck, goose, and chicken bones are often brittle, and break easily. Â Sharp pieces can easily get stuck in or puncture your pet's intestines. Ouch!
3. Gravy/Buttery Side Dishes - Don't pass the gravy! Fatty foods and trimmings may not only cause diarrhea and vomiting, but it can cause inflammation in your dog's pancreas, which is life-threatening.
4. Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap - Throw these things in the trash right away when you're done with them. Your dogs don't need to be licking the various substances off the wrappings, and you wouldn't want them to accidentally choke or swallow these things, which can cause an intestinal obstruction.
5. Chocolate - Okay, we all know chocolate can be toxic to our dogs, right? But during the holidays, we often put chocolate and candies out in bowls. So be very careful and keep these goodies out of your pup's reach.
6. The Garbage Can - Watch the trash can! All those wonderful aromas coming from the trash can be overwhelming, even for the best trained dog. Keep extra trash out of the sniff zone.
7. The Kitchen - It's a good idea to keep your dog out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving. While you\'re busy whisking hot dishes around from one counter to the next, your furry friend may be under foot and could be stepped on, burned or cut if something were to shatter.
8. Holiday Plants - Did you know that poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs?
9. Decorations - Glass ornaments and candles are just begging for trouble. Be careful where you put these.
10. Guests Who Mean Well - Educate your less pet-savvy visitors. Children might accidentally feed your dog some chocolate and your father-in-law might slip your dog some skin under the table. If the people can't behave you may need to consider setting up the dogs in their own party zone away from possible trouble.
This is particularly important if you have a dog with food allergies, digestion problems or even those short snout pooches like Quigley who might choke easily.