Things to Remember for the Holiday
Thanksgiving is a fun holiday, bringing together family and friends you may not see very often. However, with the fun often comes a little chaos, which can mean hazards for your furry family members.
In an effort to make sure you and your pets have a happy and safe holiday, we wanted to share a few Thanksgiving pet safety reminders.
- Keep the feast on the table! It’s hard to say “no” when Fido busts out the puppy dog eyes, but stay strong, friends. Many of the delicious (and oftentimes fatty) foods are not good for animals. Keep bones, onions, garlic, raisins, chocolate, yeast, and alcohol away from begging canines and felines.
- There are some food that are considered better for animals. You can find a list of approved Thanksgiving foods here. Just be mindful to not overdo it. There is such thing as “too much of a good thing.”
- Secure the trash! Pets will follow their nose … right to the trash bin. Make sure your trash can and lid are secure, so pets can’t get into any dangerous leftovers.
- Mind the gap! Holidays mean visitors. Be mindful of pets when welcoming guests into your home. An open door can be tempting for some animals.
- May I see your ID? Whether you’re traveling or staying home, make sure your pet has an up-to-date ID tag and microchip. A pet with both of these is more likely to be reunited with his or her guardian quicker.
- Set up a safe spot! Because the arrival of so many people can be overstimulating for pets, make sure your animals have a safe, quiet spot where they can go to relax away from guests.
- Sleepover paw-ty? Out-of-town family or friends may bring their own animals into the mix and your home. Remember, Thanksgiving is likely already overstimulating for your pet — with all the new people, smells, and things around the house — so your pet may not respond to other animals like you anticipate. Introducing your animals to new furry houseguests should be done with complete supervision. Safe, quiet spaces should be available for all the animals in the home.
- Decor danger! Festive decorations really set the mood, but they come with a little worry. Special holiday displays and candles can be attractive to pets, so never leave pets unattended with a lit candle or other decor that could be a choking hazard.
We hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving!