Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
The most delicious and cozy holiday of the year is just around the corner! Whether you call it Thanksgiving, Turkey Day, or Friendsgiving, it’s a time to gather and give thanks—and your pets are a huge part of your family celebration.
While it’s tempting to include your furry friends in the feast, this holiday brings unique safety hazards that can easily turn a joyful day into an emergency room trip. The good news? With a little preparation, you can keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe throughout the festivities.
The dedicated team at Allure Veterinary Partners wants to ensure your holiday is full of thanks, not worry. To help you prepare for the big day, we’ve put together a list of the most important safety tips regarding food, guests, and stress.
Here is what you need to know to ensure a pet-friendly Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pets
Toxic and Fatty Foods
When the family gathers, it’s terribly tempting to slip your pet a little piece of human food. But an overload of rich, fatty foods can cause serious health issues.
An abundance of fatty foods—like buttery mashed potatoes, gravy, and any skin trimmings—can trigger pancreatitis. This dangerous and painful condition can cause severe vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain, often resulting in an emergency trip to the veterinary hospital.
The Toxic Blacklist
Beyond the fat, many holiday staples contain ingredients that are outright toxic to your pet, including:
- Onions & Garlic (found in many stuffings and seasoned dishes)
- Grapes & Raisins (can lead to kidney failure)
- Chocolate
- Xylitol (a sugar substitute found in many sugar-free baked goods and sweets—check labels carefully!)
Turkey Bones and Skin
As tempting as it is to share your Thanksgiving bird, please avoid giving your pet turkey meat, especially the fatty skin and rich dark meat. The fat can upset their stomach or even cause painful pancreatitis.
More importantly: NEVER give them leftover turkey bones! Cooked bones don’t just pose a choking hazard; they can easily splinter inside your pet’s digestive system, leading to serious internal injuries and an emergency trip to the hospital.
Want to share? A very small amount of plain, unseasoned white meat is generally safe, but keep it minimal.
Decorations and Candels
The fall décor so many of us love—like elaborate centerpieces or pretty string lights—can be dangerous for your pet. Kitties might start chewing on cords. Or knocking over candle-holding decorations. Or eating sparkly, glitzy things they shouldn’t.
Make sure all decorations are out of reach—or opt for safe, natural décor instead. A few real pumpkins and pretty fall leaves can go a long way toward creating a beautiful atmosphere that’s safe for pets.
Provide a Safe Space
The loud noise and rich smells can quickly overwhelm your pet and tempt them to snag unsafe food.
Create a cozy “Quiet Zone” away from the dining room with:
- A comfy bed
- Fresh water
- A fun puzzle toy or long-lasting chew
- A dog gate or closed door for safety
Incase of An Emergency
As Thanksgiving approaches, write down your veterinarian’s phone number and put it somewhere you can easily find it. Jot down the vet’s hours for urgent or emergency care. Next, add the number for your nearest 24/7 emergency care vet.
If you have any issues with toxic Thanksgiving foods, call your regular vet if they’re open or your emergency vet if not.
For pets in the Rancho Cordova area, the team at Allure Veterinary Partners is here for you at Thanksgiving and all year long. Call us at (916) 680-9975 to set up an appointment!