Thanksgiving Hazards for Pets

 Thanksgiving is coming up soon.  We all know what that means – indulging in all kinds of traditional foods and desserts as well as enjoying spending the Holiday with family and friends.  As enjoyable as Thanksgiving is for humans, the Holiday offers many dangers for our household pets.  As a responsible pet owner, there are things you should be cautious of with dogs and cats in the house on Thanksgiving.
These foods are hazardous and can injure or poison your dog:
• Turkey which contains L-Tryptophan which is known to induce sleeping.  Because of the size of your pet’s body this can lead to listlessness and lethargy.
• Cooked bones can choke, break, splinter, tear, or get stuck in your dog’s throat, stomach, or intestines
• Onions in holiday stuffing can lead to canine anemia if consumed by your dog.
• Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage or failure
• Alcohol/caffeine – wine, beer, mixed drinks, eggnog, coffee or tea
• Bread dough expands in your dog’s stomach and causes pain and bloat
• Buttery side dishes
• Cake batter, especially if it includes raw eggs
• Candy or chocolate can cause seizures and is especially lethal to small dogs.  Your dog can steal some from a candy dish or your guests may inadvertently drop a piece.
• Gravy
• Nuts, especially macadamia nuts
• Rich, fatty foods
• Turkey fat (especially the skin)
These cooking items can be consumed by your dog and get stuck in the intestinal track causing a blockage or perforation: baking string, napkins, plastic bags or shrink-wrap covering, plastic or paper plates, roasting bags, skewers, tin foil, toothpicks.
Confine Cats and Dogs When Thanksgiving Guests Arrive – Some dogs and cats are very social, while others don’t appreciate visits to the home from strangers.  Many cats and dogs find Thanksgiving Day guests overwhelming and frightening.  Combine this fright with a guest’s attempt to pet the nervous cat or dog and this is a recipe for a dog bite, cat bite or cat scratch.  Be sure your dog or cat is wearing tags just in case he slips out an open door or gate.
Finally, just for peace of mind, be sure you have your vet’s phone number and the name and address of the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
Valencia Veterinary Center is located at 23928 Summerhill Lane in Valencia.  For more information please call 661-263-9000 and visit www.bestvalenciavet.com.