THANKSGIVING AND OUR PETS: FOODS TO AVOID GIVING DOGS AND CATS

We are all thankful for our pets and consider them to be part of our family. It may be tempting to share a bit of the Thanksgiving meal with them; however, a number of the favorite dishes are not safe for pets.

The team of Veterinarians at Cumberland Animal Hospital would like to offer some Thanksgiving food safety tips so pet lovers can enjoy their holiday and keep their animals safe.

POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OR TOXIC FOOD TO AVOID

Below are Thanksgiving foods that may cause harm to cats and dogs if ingested. It is important to keep these away from your pets to make sure they remain healthy this holiday.

• Turkey Bones – Cooked bones are not safe for pets.  They can cause severe indigestion in dogs and cats, potentially causing vomiting and obstruction.
• Stuffing – Stuffing is often made with onions and garlic. These ingredients are very toxic to dogs and cats and can cause life-threatening anemia.
• Ham – Ham and other pork items can cause pancreatitis, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Pork is also high in fat, which can lead to obesity in pets.
• Mashed Potatoes – While potatoes are safe for pets to eat, mashed potatoes usually contain butter and milk, which can cause diarrhea in some pets. Additionally, some holiday recipes include onion or garlic, both of which are toxic to pets.
• Desserts With Chocolate – Most often there is a chocolate dessert as an addition to Thanksgiving. Chocolate is toxic to both dogs and cats. It is important to keep all chocolate out of the reach of pets to prevent an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

If your pets ingest any of these foods this Thanksgiving, be sure to call the veterinarians at Cumberland Animal Hospital immediately. Early action is most important and may prevent more costly and serious complications.

PET SAFE THANKSGIVING FOOD

If you really want to share a little of the meal with your pets, there are a few items that are safe in small quantities. You can stuff it into a KONG for your dog or mix it into their food.

•   steamed green beans
•   carrots
•   pumpkin
•   mashed sweet potato

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING

The Cumberland Animal Hospital in Fayetteville, North Carolina understands how important it is to keep our pets safe for the holidays.  Follow these tips, and your pet will be just as thankful as you this holiday! If your pet has any holiday issues, please contact us at 910-822-3337.  Cumberland Animal Hospital’s veterinarians in Fayetteville, NC are always available to assist you. Call us to schedule an appointment or ask any questions.