Thanksgiving Safety Tips: Thanksgiving Foods that Pets CAN Have

Thanksgiving is upon us, and if you’re a pet owner, we know you’re grateful for those furry little friends. When those sweet little faces look up at you as you’re preparing the Thanksgiving feast, it may be hard to say no to sharing your food. Fortunately, there are some delicious foods you can safely- in moderation- share with your pets as long as they do have allergies or have dietary restrictions.

• Turkey breast is a tasty option, as long as your pet isn’t allergic. Be careful to only share very small amounts of turkey breast, taking care to remove the skin or any fatty trimmings like gravy. Fatty foods can overwhelm an animal’s pancreas and result in a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis. Some dog breeds, like Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs, are especially prone to pancreatitis, so they should not be given meaty snacks. Research your own dog’s breed before sharing turkey scraps, to make sure it’s not hazardous. And no matter what kind of pet you have, keep the turkey bones and any string wrapped around the turkey out of reach.
• Most vegetables are a healthy treat for dogs. Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, green beans, and sweet potatoes are all great snacks, as long as they aren’t prepared with fatty additives or artificial sweeteners.
• Bread is a safe snack for dogs after it’s baked. Bread dough, on the other hand, is a no-no, because it the yeast and sugar combined can cause dangerous health conditions for dogs.
• Some of your appetizers may be pet-worthy. If you’re serving smoked salmon, you can share a little bit with your pet. The same goes for little bits of cheese from your cheese plate.
• Turkey stuffing is fine, as long as it doesn’t have dangerous ingredients. The things in stuffing that can cause problems for dogs are onions, raisins, and currants.

Now that you know what’s safe to share with your furry family members, let’s talk about a few things to avoid. Don’t share desserts and sweets with cats and dogs or let them indulge in fatty foods. Be mindful of your dog getting into the trash and eating decorative plants, which can pose hazards to animals. Take care that a skittish pet isn’t overwhelmed with new people; you don’t want any pets to bolt and run away.

Even over the holidays, you can trust Reed Animal Hospital to treat your pets as if they were our own. Our goal is to help you and your pet enjoys a healthy, fulfilling life together, and in pursuit of that goal, our extraordinary team offers a wide range of services. We’ve got veterinarians, technicians, assistants, and receptionists, all prepared to help you and your pet, and we even offer referrals to specialty surgeons, many of whom will travel to our office to consult with your pet. For more information or to make an appointment, call us in Campbell at 408-369-1788, or in Saratoga at 408-647-2906, or contact us through our website.