Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pets

The aroma of tasty food and delicious treats cooking, waft through our homes making our mouths water, as they emanate from our kitchens. But as we begin our preparations for a festive Thanksgiving, making sure to include Uncle John's favorite dessert or how we can improve on Cousin Annie's beloved family recipe for pumpkin pie, we must make special preparations for our family pets. In our house, we have initiated a safe pet Holiday routine which is a priority. Making sure that our two cats are safe and sound as we make our food preparations and check our guest list is tops on our check-off items. While our kitties are not overjoyed being confined in our bedroom, strangers can cause them to become anxious and over stimulated. As guests arrive, the open door may become a tempting invitation to explore the great outdoors. This unwanted event would certainly put a damper on anyone’s holiday joy. Don't let your pets get this close to the turkey! Even the most well behaved pet can forget training quickly as the Thanksgiving fare adorns the dinner table. I even heard an amazing story about a cat absconding with a full sized turkey in its jaws when no one was around to supervise. At the table, our pets can often manipulate well meaning guests with their “charming” begging behavior. We don't want to take that chance with our kitties so that extra ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While we always save a small amount of yummy turkey as a treat for our cats after company leaves, we do not want to overcome them with unfamiliar foods. It is wise to refrain from any treats with gravy or fatty skins as these two “goodies” can cause gastric disturbances for both cats and dogs. Since Thanksgiving fare is very rich only feeding a taste is prudent. Purrhaps substituting turkey based pet food for a meal for the holiday includes them appropriately in the holiday spirit. Make no bones about it . . . cooked poultry bones are extremely dangerous. They splinter when cooked and if ingested can stick in a pet's throat or even possibly perforate an intestine. Please be extra careful when clearing leftovers that no bones are within the reach of a highly motivated pet. Dispose of bones safely, and of course, never leave any around for your pets to steal. Chocolate contains the chemical, theobromine, which is highly toxic to both cats and dogs. Keep all chocolate treats in a safe container, away from your pets. Contact your veterinarian or an Emergency veterinary clinic immediately if you suspect that your pet has ingested chocolate. Raisins are another toxic item to both cats and dogs. Take a few minutes ahead of time to learn more about holiday dangers for your pets. It really takes so little effort and time to ensure the safety of our beloved pets, which will make your holiday time a lot brighter. Our kitties send their holiday wishes to you and your family, both the human and furry variety. For more information about Thanksgiving safety and your pets, visit http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2007/10/30/petscol.DTL For a complete list of substances toxic to pets, and for additional help, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pro_apcc What kind of safety precautions are you planning for your pets at Thanksgiving? Exchange holiday suggestions by leaving a comment.