Some of the foods we love can be toxic to our pets. Emergency animal care on a holiday is the last thing you want, so here are five safety tips for keeping our furry family members safe from Animal Medical Center of Wyoming

 

Keep the Holiday Meal to Yourself

Giving your pet a lot of fatty, butter, or salty table foods will only upset her stomach. Also beware of foods that are poisonous to pets; the list includes grapes, raisins, onions, chives, garlic, avocado, macadamia nuts, and more. If you want to give your pet a Thanksgiving treat, stick to a small bit of fully cooked white meat or a little dab of plain mashed potatoes.

 

Don’t Give Pets Turkey Bones

You might want to slip your dog a turkey bone after dinner for a fun treat, but it’s best to reconsider. Cooked or uncooked bones can splinter apart, creating dangerous sharp points. Bone shards can cut a pet’s mouth or even puncture the intestinal lining when swallowed, so it’s safest to avoid bones entirely. Dispose of them in the garbage instead of giving them to a pet.

 

Keep an Eye on the Garbage Bag

Speaking of garbage: the garbage bag after a Thanksgiving meal is full of pet hazards, so keep your pet far away. Coffee grounds, bones, toxic foods, aluminum foil, and other dangers may tempt pets to rip the bag open. Either put the bag in another room where your pet doesn’t have access, or put it inside a hard plastic container so pets can’t rip it open.

 

Beware of Toxic Treats

Holiday treats like chocolate, candy, baked goods, and alcoholic beverages are other common dangers that pets face this time of year. Chocolate is very poisonous to pets, as you probably know, but were you aware that candy and baked goods can be deadly as well? They might be sweetened with xylitol, an artificial sugar that’s toxic to pets. Of course, alcohol can cause poisoning in pets if they drink too much, so keep adult beverages away from animals.

 

Watch for Pet Anxiety

A holiday hazard you may not have thought of is your pet’s own anxiety. If a bunch of guests are coming to your house, some pets may be overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. Try leading your pet to a quiet back room so she can calm down.

 

Thanks to the dedicated professional vets everywhere for caring for our non-human loved ones, and especially Animal Medical Center of Wyoming for these tips for a pet-safe Thanksgiving.

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