Most of us think of our pets as family members, so we want them to be included in our holiday celebrations. Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving:
- Be sure not to allow your pets to overindulge. Pancreatitis has been associated with eating rich, fatty foods, so keep the turkey and gravy treats to a minimum.
- If you do give your pets small amounts of turkey, make sure it is fully cooked. Raw and under-cooked turkey can harbor several kinds of harmful bacteria (including Salmonella and Campylobacter) that can cause intestinal problems in pets and humans.
- Turkey bones should never be fed to pets. They can easily splinter and cause tears or blockages in the gastrointestinal tract.
- If you will be having a large number of visitors and your pet isn't used to so much company, consider confining your pet to a quiet part of the house. This will also prevent your guests from feeding too many treats to your pets.
