Answers to Everyday Questions : Thanksgiving is coming up. What should you be careful of with your dog?

Thanksgiving is coming up. What should you be careful of with your dog?

9 Responses to “Thanksgiving is coming up. What should you be careful of with your dog?”

1. Vet Tech said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 6:25 am

   I would have to say the three main things are:

   1) Bones: turkey bones splinter really easily and can cause obstruction to the gut if swallowed, so keep them out of the reach of your pet!

   2) Table scraps: can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and some foods can be toxic to our dogs (such as chocolate, alcoholic beverages, salt, raw yeast dough, raisins, grapes, onions, macadamia nuts, coffee, etc.).

   3) Hot containers: if something smells good on the edge of the table/counter it does not matter how hot it is, dogs will try to eat it! Also, be careful not to trip over your dogs with hot items! Easy way to burn them.
2. Mar said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 6:38 am

   NO, bones! Turkey or otherwise.
   Donot let them overeat, as they will get sick. Keep plenty of water by them and let them outdoors whenever they want to go.
3. Cole32 said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 7:21 am

   If your dog isn’t good with a lot of people around put them in another room and visit them frequently. Have plenty of toys and things to keep them entertained.
   I’d be careful with human food. Giving them some human food can cause begging and many more problems.
4. chihuahua mama said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 8:01 am

   Make sure everyone knows NOT to feed them off the table. If you have say 10 people for dinner and all ten are sneaking just a bite or 2 to the dog, that will be way too much. Too much turkey dark meat is extremely bad for dogs, even just a little of the dark meat. It can cause pancreatitis. Have to be careful, extra careful with any bones. When chopping onions for the dressing, whatever, make sure you don’t drop a lot of that as it is very bad for dogs. Really the best thing to do with your pets while you are enjoying your family feast is to put them in another room out of harm’s way. Maybe fix them a little chicken,, rice and some green beans and carrots for their thanksgiving feast.

   We all laugh at the commercials where the dog steals the turkey or ham off the table, but it really could happen with a large breed dog. With all the wonderful aromas coming out of the kitchen, it is just too tempting for the dog. Put them somewhere where they will be safe.

   Also I know most people now start decorating for Christmas around this time of year. I don’t even put up a Christmas tree any more because I am terrifed of my dogs swallowing something off the tree that would end up with them having to have surgery to remove it. Better safe that sorry.
5. Nandina said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 8:51 am

   High-fat food (either given as treats or swiped off the table) like ham or skin-on turkey, which can cause pancreatitis and kill the dog.
6. Cookie On My Mind said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 8:54 am

   With the holiday season beginning, people start giving holiday plants as host gifts – especially poinsettias, which are poisonous to dogs. So please keep these types of plants on a high shelf!
7. Liz said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 9:41 am

   Push your chairs in…you don’t want the dogs to get on the table after you are all napping after the big feast!!!
8. dragon_wolf_999 said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 10:32 am

   If your having a house full of strange people it is best to put the dog in another room. No cooked bones.
9. Shadow's Melon said :
   November 25th, 2010 at 11:00 am

   Bones and people feeding table scraps are two things I am always watching for and preventing.