Thanksgiving day is a time for families and friends to come together for a holiday celebration. With all of the inviting aromas and delicious foods on the table, your canine pal may want a taste. Unfortunately, some of those foods are unhealthy and even potentially dangerous for your pet to ingest. The guide below shares pet wellness tips to consider before giving your dog holiday goodies.

A Guide to Pet Wellness During Thanksgiving

Know Which Foods are Unhealthy

Your dog should always eat high quality, age-appropriate kibble that contains all of the nutrients your pet needs to maintain good health. You can also make doggie treats specifically for your pet. If you’re tempted to slip table scraps their way, make sure you know which foods are good for them. Fatty foods are difficult for dogs to digest, so avoid giving your pet turkey skin or other fatty meat skins. In rare cases, eating turkey meat and skin may cause pancreatitis which is a serious condition, so avoid sharing turkey meat with them.

Turkey bones, as with any type of poultry bones, are unsafe because the sharp edges can damage your dog’s digestive tract. Additionally, raisins, onions, and grapes are poisonous to pets, as well as chocolate and artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. Another food to be aware of is yeast dough, found in breads or cakes, which can cause painful bloating.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe

Remember to keep the trash out of reach, so your pet can’t get to the turkey bones and other refuse inside. Secure the trash bin lid, so it can’t be pushed open. Decorative plants and flowers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, and baby’s breath can be toxic to dogs. Place your plants and flowers high out of reach on the mantle or countertop. You should also be careful where you place candles to avoid creating a fire hazard.

If you’re entertaining a large number of guests in your home, the noise and crowds may affect your dog’s behavior. Place your furry pal in a comfortable room alone with their food and a few toys, if your pet gets stressed during the festivities.

Pet wellness is an essential part of raising a healthy and happy dog. Trust the animal care professionals at TLC Pet Care Centers in Cincinnati, OH, to provide exceptional veterinary and pet wellness services. They offer pet boarding and two vet hospital locations for your convenience. To schedule an appointment, call (513) 683-2300 for the East office or (513) 825-4011 for their West office. You can find them online to learn more about the small animal hospital.