Use 5 Thanksgiving safety tips to protect your dog
Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. But don’t forget your four-legged family members, and use Thanksgiving safety tips to ensure your pet’s safety.
Nothing would ruin the festivities more than an emergency trip to the vet. Dr. Amber Karwacki, a veterinarian at Heart + Paw, offers Thanksgiving safety tips to protect your dog.
Karwacki urges dog parents to be cautious when decorating with traditional fall plants. Some, like Autumn Crocus, Chrysanthemums (also known as mums), and oak tree acorns, can be toxic for dogs.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog ingests any of these plants.
To be safe, decorate with tiny pumpkins or pine cones and keep them out of your dog’s reach.
Potential Thanksgiving hazards
Thanksgiving can pose several risks for your dog.
Here are some tips to keep them safe:
Food safety
Many holiday foods are unsafe for dogs. Avoid giving them turkey skin, onions, garlic, and anything toxic, such as grapes or chocolate.
Keep human food out of reach and prepare a special dog-friendly meal instead.
Stress management
Thanksgiving gatherings can overwhelm pets. Create a quiet space where your dog can retreat if they feel anxious, and provide toys to keep them occupied.
Prevent injuries
With people moving around, dogs can get tripped over or escape through open doors.
Keep your dog in a safe space, and pay close attention to avoid accidents.
Watch decorations
Holiday decorations can be hazardous. Ensure that items like ribbons and ornaments are stored out of reach to prevent choking or ingestion.
Identification
Ensure your dog wears an ID tag and is microchipped. Keeping a leash handy will help prevent escapes, especially with guests coming and going.
Keep guests and dogs safe
During the pandemic, many people skipped large gatherings, and their dogs may not be used to spending time with strangers.
Or, you adopted a new dog who isn’t used to strangers entering the house.
First, you need to protect your dog. Don’t force a nervous or anxious dog to interact with strangers. Instead, Karwacki recommends keeping your dog in a separate room with their toys, bed, and water bowl.
If your dog is overly anxious, ask your vet if medication like Trazodone or pheromone therapy will help calm your dog.
If your dog is calm and well-behaved, and you decide to let him join the celebration, ensure that guests know your rules and refrain from trying to spoil your dog.
Let insistent guests give your pup safe, approved treats like dried sweet potato slices, banana slices, apple slices, or fresh green beans.
But if your dog is a shameless beggar, don’t let him be in the room during the meal.
Even if your dog is well-behaved, consider crating your dog or putting him in another room while people fill their plates if you’re serving buffet-style.
You wouldn’t want your dog or a guest injured if your pup gets underfoot. You also want to limit your dog’s options to exhibit behavior problems.
Choose safe Thanksgiving foods
While a slice of turkey is safe for your dog to eat, don’t let your pup eat turkey skin, dark meat, or gravy. They are high in fat, which is hard for dogs to digest, Karwacki says. Poultry bones also pose a choking hazard.
Also, remember that garlic, onions, mushrooms, and chives are toxic for dogs. So keep dishes that include them away from your dog.
Other dangerous foods include:
Nuts: Keep pecans, almonds, walnuts, and macadamia nuts out of reach. Eating nuts can cause inflammation of the pancreas and even deadly pancreatitis.
Alcohol: The smell of wine draws some dogs, but ingesting even a small amount can cause alcohol poisoning and be life-threatening.
Raisins or grapes: Can cause kidney failure.
Unbaked dough with yeast: Yeast dough can cause fatal stomach bloat.
Sweets or baked goods: Be especially cautious when purchasing or preparing items containing the artificial sweetener xylitol, also known as birch sugar. Going sugar-free using xylitol can cause liver failure and death.
Chocolate and spices like nutmeg are also dangerous, so don’t give your dog any pumpkin pie. Desserts with high sugar content can be harmful to your dog.
Stick to safe foods for your dog. Give your dog healthy Thanksgiving treats, such as a slice of white meat turkey. Other traditional Thanksgiving foods safe for dogs include baked sweet potatoes (plain, without brown sugar, nuts, or marshmallows) or fresh green beans.
Dog-safe foods that you could give your dog at Thanksgiving include:
- Bananas
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Pumpkin or squash
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Peas
- Mashed potatoes
Remember, even healthy snacks can cause gastrointestinal upset in your dog if consumed in excess. While it might seem like dogs can eat almost anything, it often takes little to throw their systems off balance.
To avoid an upset stomach, or worse, vomiting and diarrhea, limit any extras on Thanksgiving.
Take advantage of leftovers
If you quickly get tired of leftover turkey, consider turning white meat turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, and more into healthy dog food using leftover turkey recipes.
If you have recipes that call for chicken, you can easily substitute turkey. You can even use your slow cooker to make it easy.
Eliminate trash
If eaten, Thanksgiving debris like turkey carcasses, bones, or string can be dangerous. Clear them off your counters and take the trash out or secure garbage cans so your dog can’t get into them.
Karwacki also recommends checking your counters to see if you’ve got food there. Dogs are opportunists who won’t be shy about helping themselves if they can get away with it.
Be especially aware of turkey bones and other choking hazards.
Help your dog manage holiday stress
The holiday season can be exciting but stressful for dogs. Here are some tips to help them cope:
Create a safe space
Set up a quiet area in your home where your dog can retreat during noisy gatherings, complete with their favorite toys and blankets.
Maintain routines
Stick to your dog’s regular feeding, walking, and play schedules to provide stability during the busy season.
Limit stressors
Identify potential stressors, like loud music or large crowds, and consider keeping your dog in their safe space during parties.
Gradual socialization
Introduce your dog to guests slowly, allowing them to approach at their own pace.
Engage in calming activities
Incorporate gentle play, walks, or puzzle toys to help distract and relax your dog.
Use calming aids
Try using calming scents like lavender, and consider playing soft music or white noise to create a soothing environment.
Monitor behavior
Keep an eye on your dog for signs of stress, and consult your vet if you notice concerning changes.
Offer healthy treats
Stick to regular treats and moderate portions to avoid digestive issues from toxic foods during the holidays.
Show patience
Provide love and reassurance, as your calm demeanor can help your dog feel secure.
Make your dog part of the celebration
Include your dog in the Thanksgiving festivities with these helpful tips:
Create a safe space
Designate a quiet area with comfortable bedding and toys for your dog to retreat to if they feel overwhelmed.
Introduce gradually
Allow your dog to approach guests at their own pace and encourage guests to offer treats and gentle pets.
Keep food safe
Avoid sharing harmful foods with your dog. Provide dog-friendly treats or prepare a small meal with safe ingredients.
Involve your dog in traditions
Incorporate your dog into family traditions, such as taking a photo together or sharing what you’re thankful for about them.
Plan for exercise
Schedule a walk or playtime before the festivities to help your dog release energy and stay calm during the gathering.
Monitor interactions
Be mindful of your dog’s comfort level with guests, especially children, and intervene if they appear stressed.
Prepare for clean-up
Keep a close eye on food and decorations to prevent accidents, and have cleaning supplies readily available.
Provide a calm environment
Use calming music or pet-safe essential oils to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Bottom line on Thanksgiving safety tips
Make sure you include your dog in your Thanksgiving plans.
Choose dog-safe decorations, ensure you have plenty of food on hand, and dispose of the trash.
If your dog is nervous around new people, don’t force him to interact. Instead, keep your dog in a safe space, such as his crate or a separate room, during the feast.
If your dog is friendly, you can let him join the celebration, but ensure guests know not to give your dog any unsafe foods.
Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.