AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- If you’re hosting this Thanksgiving holiday, or bringing your pet along, there are some things to keep in mind.
I think we’re all anticipating the food that will be at our holiday dinners and our pets are no different.
Plenty of holiday-related food is toxic or deadly to our pets. So, no matter how much they beg, vets are saying you should hold off.
Turkey is the iconic dish of Thanksgiving, but it presents multiple health concerns. The twine, fat, skin, bones, and how we prepare the bird could be unhealthy or dangerous if consumed by pets.
Food like onion, garlic, leeks, raw dough, and grapes are all toxic for our dogs. Most prepared dishes will be generally unhealthy for our pets. Dr. Courtney O’Neill with Austintown Veterinary Clinic says this can lead to costly emergency vet bills and it’s best to be prepared.
“Have our phone number available not just now but throughout the year. So, locally we do have a couple of emergency clinics. So, you need to find which one is closest to you and what there hours are. Some of them do have limited hours and maybe on the holidays they’re most limited,” O’Neil said.
Even if you’re not sharing holiday food this season, you will still need to keep an eye out. Some pets are counter surfers or can go through the trash, making it much more likely for them to get a hold of dangerous items like cans, string, or bones.
I think we’re all anticipating the food that will be at our holiday dinners and our pets are no different. However, plenty of holiday-related food is toxic or deadly to our pets.
So, no matter how much they beg, vets are saying you should hold off.
But it’s not just food we should look out for, but general holiday activity.
“It can be a lot of the food. There’s a lot going on. There’s people over, there’s decorations, there’s noises, there’s so much going on. Or the ornaments on a Christmas Tree, I’ve seen those ingested,” O’Neill said.
Dr. O’Neill suggests keeping an eye on decorations and lights. If you are looking to share some food, raw vegetables like carrots and green beans are good options.
If you are hosting this season and have pets, it could be a good idea to have a dedicated quiet space with their food and water, lowering their anxiety and keeping them safe.
