Thanksgiving Safety Guide: Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather with family and friends, but the holiday brings unique hazards for our pets. From tempting foods on the dinner table to increased household activity, there are many potential dangers lurking in your home this week. As your trusted 24/7 emergency veterinary partner, we want to help you keep your pets safe while still enjoying your celebrations.

Common Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous for Pets

While it's tempting to share your feast with your furry family members, many traditional Thanksgiving foods can be toxic or dangerous for dogs and cats. Here are the most common culprits we see in our emergency room during the holiday:

The Most Dangerous Foods

• Turkey Bones: Cooked turkey bones can splinter and cause serious internal injuries, blockages, or perforations in the digestive tract. Never give your pet bones from your Thanksgiving turkey.
• Onions and Garlic: These ingredients, often found in stuffing, gravy, and side dishes, contain compounds that can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats, leading to anemia.
• Grapes and Raisins: Found in salads and desserts, grapes and raisins can cause severe kidney failure in dogs. Even small amounts can be deadly.
• Chocolate Desserts: Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to pets. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are especially dangerous.
• Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener): This sugar substitute, found in sugar-free pies, cookies, and some pumpkin pie recipes, can cause rapid insulin release, leading to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and liver failure.
• Fatty Foods: Rich, fatty foods like turkey skin, gravy, and buttery sides can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.

Kitchen Safety During the Cooking Chaos

Thanksgiving dinner preparation can be hectic, and that chaos creates additional risks for curious pets:

1. Trash Can Security: Secure your trash cans with lids or place them in a closed pantry. Turkey carcasses, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and food scraps are all tempting but dangerous.
2. Hot Surfaces and Spills: Keep pets out of the kitchen while cooking. Hot ovens, stovetops, and spilled foods can cause burns or ingestion of dangerous items.
3. Electrical Cords and Appliances: Extra appliances mean extra cords that curious pets might chew on.
4. Rising Bread Dough: If you're baking fresh rolls, keep uncooked dough away from pets. When ingested, the warm environment of a pet's stomach can cause the dough to rise, leading to bloat and alcohol toxicity from fermentation.

Managing Anxious Pets with Holiday Guests

The influx of visitors can be stressful for pets, especially those who aren't used to crowds. Here's how to help:

• Create a Safe Space: Set up a quiet room with your pet's bed, water, and favorite toys where they can retreat from the festivities.
• Inform Your Guests: Ask visitors not to feed your pets table scraps, no matter how much those puppy eyes plead.
• Watch the Doors: With guests coming and going, pets can easily slip outside. Consider using a baby gate or keeping pets in a secure area during arrivals and departures.
• ID Tags and Microchips: Ensure your pet's identification is current in case they do escape during the commotion.

When to Call Peak Paws Immediately

Time is critical in many pet emergencies. Contact us right away if your pet:

• Has eaten any amount of chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, or xylitol
• Has swallowed turkey bones, aluminum foil, or other foreign objects
• Shows signs of pancreatitis (vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite)
• Displays any unusual behavior or appears unwell after eating
• Is having difficulty breathing or appears weak

Don't wait to see if symptoms develop. Many toxic substances work quickly, and early intervention significantly improves outcomes. Our experienced veterinary team is available 24/7/365 to help guide you and provide immediate care when needed.

What to Do If Your Pet Ingests Something Dangerous

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic or dangerous:

1. Stay Calm: Your pet can sense your stress, which can make them more anxious.
2. Identify What Was Eaten: If possible, determine what your pet consumed and approximately how much.
3. Call Us Immediately: Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Call (919) 605-6300 for guidance.
4. Don't Induce Vomiting: Unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian, do not try to make your pet vomit. This can sometimes cause more harm.
5. Bring the Package: If your pet ate something from a package, bring it with you to help us identify all ingredients.

Enjoy the Holiday with Peace of Mind

Thanksgiving should be a joyful time for the entire family — including your pets. By being aware of potential hazards and taking simple precautions, you can keep your furry friends safe while still enjoying all the traditional festivities.

Remember, Peak Paws Advanced Veterinary Hospital is here for you 24/7/365. We never close, not even on Thanksgiving Day. Whether you need emergency care or just have a question about whether something your pet ate is dangerous, don't hesitate to call. We'd rather answer a precautionary question than treat a preventable emergency.

From all of us at Peak Paws, we wish you and your pets a safe and happy Thanksgiving!