Holiday Food Safety for Pets

by connerlana | Nov 29, 2023 | Uncategorized

During the holiday season, hosting or attending holiday parties become commonplace. And we all know these events wouldn’t be complete without tables of festive appetizers and decadent desserts. While bringing your furry companions to holiday celebrations may seem like a great idea, there are several precautions you may need to take so your pet doesn’t obtain any toxic holiday scraps from the dinner table. We have come up with a list of foods that are both safe and dangerous for pets to ensure you have a healthy, stress-free holiday feast.

Safe Foods

There are several foods that are both delicious and nutritious for your furry friend. Dogs and cats enjoy a number of fruits such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, apples, melon, berries, and bananas. Your pet may be less inclined to eat them, but vegetables such as corn, green beans, spinach, carrots, peas, and squash may also be an ideal choice due to their anti-inflammatory and digestion benefits. Foods that are still acceptable, but should be fed in smaller amounts consist of cooked egg, plain yogurt, low fat cheese, peanut butter, and salmon. While these foods are all safe to eat, make sure that none of these options contain seeds, stems, cores, or other elements that act as a choking hazard. It may also be tempting to give flavorful food samples to your pet, but it’s important to refrain from overly seasoning the foods as it can cause upset stomachs, abdominal pain, bloating, and digestive issues. Instead, opt for the naturally flavored foods listed above, or commercial pet treats. Remember, though, that a large amount of non-toxic and “healthy” foods may still present health issues, so make sure to consider moderation when feeding your pet seasonal scraps!

Questionable Foods

Although turkey and chicken are completely non-toxic towards pets, be mindful of any bones or excess amounts of fat left on the meat before feeding it to them. Countless numbers of pets each year are rushed to the emergency room following the ingestion of bones, and eating even small amounts of fatty food or oily food, such as turkey skin, gravy, or bacon, can cause stomach upset or inflammation of the pancreas in your pets. So being mindful in these cases is extremely important! Other popular foods like nut-based butters such as peanut butter can also have artificial sweeteners in them, namely xylitol, which can be incredibly harmful to your pet if ingested. It is therefore best to generally stay away from any sort of sugar free or “lite” sweetened foods.

Unsafe Foods

Many foods that are unharmful to humans should never be fed to your pet and should always be kept a safe distance away from them. Common foods like chocolate (especially baking chocolate), coffee, avocado, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins, garlic, onions, and alcoholic beverages, are all poisonous to dogs. Ensure that all of your guests are aware of these toxic foods so that they are extra mindful not to sneak a piece of it to your pet under the table!

https://www.24petwatch.com/blog/holiday-food-safety-for-pets

https://www.billingsanimalfamilyhospital.com/holiday-food-for-pets/

Pet Anxiety During the Holidays

by connerlana | Nov 25, 2023 | Uncategorized

Signs of Anxiety:

Pets can feel just as much anxiety as humans do, especially around the holidays with large crowds and loud music. It is important to be able to recognize signs of anxiety in your pets so that you can help them destress. Excessive panting, salivation, pacing, hiding, or not eating are just some of the many indicators that your pet is overwhelmed! Below is a list of actions to take in order to comfort them.

What to do:

Safe Space – This should be an area that feels comfortable for your pet, usually somewhere quiet and less chaotic. It should be set up a few weeks before an event to get them accustomed to going to that area. Gradually increasing their exposure to this space will make it natural for them to go when they feel uncomfortable. White noise playing in the background can also comfort them.

New Toys – A set of new puzzles or their favorite old toys can keep your pet occupied and distracted from the anxiety-inducing environment around them. Old toys can also provide them comfort and a sense of consistency, while new toys can invoke excitement and induce a better mood!

Long Lasting Chews – Aside from being tasteful and durable, there are several uniquely shaped special treats, such as candy canes and trees, made specifically for the holiday season. Long lasting chews engage your pet’s jaw muscles, causing the release of endorphins, or feel-good chemicals in the brain. Similar to the stress-relieving effects of fidget toys, chewing on these treats can provide a soothing distraction for dogs, especially when left alone.

Exercise Beforehand – Before the holiday gathering, it may be helpful to provide plenty of exercise for your dog. Common dog-related exercise consists of hiking, running, playing fetch, or even walking around the park. Unlike dogs, cats should get at least 15-20 minutes of play time, such as chasing a ball, felt mice, or fishing pole. Also consider cleaning their litter box!

Consistent Monitoring – During an event, you should consider checking on your pet every 1-2 hours, or 30-60 minutes to ensure they are not having separation anxiety. Every time you visit your pet, consider talking to them, playing with them, or petting them. If they’re open to eating, you can even offer some treats. If your furry friend doesn’t seem too anxious, you can even consider bringing them out of their safe space for a brief visit at the event.

Remote Treat Dispenser – Purchasing a remote treat dispenser may be a suitable option for dogs who enjoy snacking. When alone in their safe space, your canine can press the release button which will prompt the device to release treats into the built-in feeding tray. The device’s engaging interaction and snack production is a great way to relieve your pet’s holiday stress and boredom, and is a great way to prevent stress before they even show signs of anxiety.

https://www.petmd.com/dog/behavior/how-to-keep-pets-safe-during-holiday-gatherings

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/14/health/holiday-dog-anxiety-wellness/index.html