Decoration Dangers
As Thanksgiving makes its way around the corner, dangerous and unexpected exposures from festive decorations may leave your furry friend at a health risk. According to the ASPCA, pumpkins and other Thanksgiving decorations generally aren’t toxic to your animal companions, but it is still recommended to keep them out of their reach. Certain hazardous decorations include pet-unfriendly floral arrangements and ornaments. On Thanksgiving, it is not uncommon for there to be floral arrangements or festive plants lying around the house. Dangerous decorative plants, according to the ASPCA, include autumn crocus, chrysanthemum, sweet william, hydrangeas, acorns from oak trees, and many more. Also, if your dog or cat somehow makes its way into a bouquet of lilies, there is a high chance they may experience poisoning. To ensure your pet’s safety, just keep them away from any candles, breakable trinkets, and all plants.
Food Safety
Feeding Thanksgiving table scraps to your pet can possibly lead to a life-threatening emergency, so it is important to watch out for what you feed them. It is recommended to keep any raw food away from your pet such as raw bread dough, raw cake batter, raw sweet potato, and raw turkey. Undercooked turkey contains salmonella bacteria, so if you decide to feed some turkey to your pet, make sure it’s boneless and fully cooked. If you have any leftover turkey carcass, the safest route is to avoid feeding it to your pet. Cooked poultry bones can cause injuries and even puncture their digestive tract. Some of the most popular human foods in holiday feasts are pumpkin pies, cooked turkey, and mashed potatoes. It is generally alright to let them have a little lick of these tasty treats, but make sure they don’t ingest too much, otherwise, it can lead to an inflammatory condition or life-threatening condition.
Poison Risks
During holiday festivities, there are multiple pet poisoning occurrences. If your dog or cat ingests toxic plants, they may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Plant poisoning can lead to long-term effects such as liver or kidney failure and cardiovascular problems. Similarly, food poisoning can also lead to dehydration and nausea. While there are usually no long-term effects, poisonous food can still cause vomiting, seizures, and muscle spasms. Animals with differing immune systems will react differently, so if your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.
Precautions for Parties
If you’re hosting a party, plan ahead to keep your pets safe. Some pets are shy or excitable around new people or crowds, and Thanksgiving often means many visitors in the same place at once with lots of noise and activity. If your pet is prone to getting nervous in these situations, place them in a separate room or in a crate along with their favorite toy and some treats! This will not only reduce the emotional stress on your pet, but also prevent the potential for injury of your pet and guests. Make sure to also watch them closely, especially when people are entering or leaving your home as they may take the chance to dash out of the door. If this happens, make sure your pet has proper identification with your contact information.
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