PLEASANTON, CA — What would Thanksgiving be without our beloved furry family members joining the celebration? Just remember that when it comes to the big dinner, you have to draw the line — lest you want a giant vet bill, or worse.
“Overindulging in the family feast can be unhealthy for humans, but even worse for pets: Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest. Poultry bones can damage your pet’s digestive tract. And holiday sweets can contain ingredients that are poisonous to pets,” according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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For cats and dogs, eating turkey or turkey skin — even a small amount — can cause the life-threatening condition known as pancreatitis.
“Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest, and many foods that are healthy for people are poisonous to pets …,” according to the AVMA.
And don’t think that raw turkey giblets are safe for Fido and Felix. Just like humans, our furry babies can get very ill from eating raw meat (and raw eggs for that matter). Salmonella and e. Coli bacteria are potentially deadly to all of us.
Other common Thanksgiving ingredients that can be dangerous for pets include onions, garlic, chives, raisins, grapes, chocolate, the artificial sweetener xylitol, and yeast dough.
Obviously, alcoholic or caffeinated beverages are toxic for all animals, but other holiday treats that can cause potentially life-threatening complications in cats and dogs include nuts, milk and dairy products, and salty snacks (sodium ion poisoning).
So is there anything on the Thanksgiving table that’s really safe for Marmaduke and Sylvester? Besides plain water, the answer is no.
“If you want to share a Thanksgiving treat with your pet, make or buy a treat that is made just for them,” the AVMA advises, but don’t overindulge, and remember that changing out feeding routines could spell trouble.
If the worst does accidentally happen, quick action can save four-legged lives. Sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting or diarrhea are all signs that your pet may have eaten something it shouldn’t have. Contact your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency clinic immediately. In addition to immediate veterinary care, you can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 888-426-4435.