‘Tis the season for
friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our
animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked
turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an
unattended alcoholic drink. Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for
a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.
Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little
nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don't offer her raw
or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing
taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins
that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to
pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects
of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving
him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is
ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it
expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating,
which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don't Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be
sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes
raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food
poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked
turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a
problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up
with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition
of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their
regular diets during the holidays.
A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give
your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet
chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of
turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of
gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard
to extract their dinner from the toy.
SOURCE:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/thanksgiving-safety-tips
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