Your pet’s eyes may widen at the sight of a table full of delicious Thanksgiving dishes. But be careful not to give in to their irresistible begging poses, as many of the foods gracing holiday tables aren’t good for our furry friends and can result in emergency animal hospital visits instead of a cozy day with relatives. Food-related pet illnesses increase every year during Thanksgiving, so make sure your cat or dog has a happy holiday with the rest of the family by learning which foods to keep away from them.

Thanksgiving Table Scraps You Shouldn’t Let Your Pets Have

1. Turkey

While plain, properly cooked turkey is fine for animal friends, dishes including onion and garlic are toxic to pets. Onion, garlic, and other members of the Allium family feature N-propyl disulfide compounds that damage blood hemoglobin, resulting in anemia and many other serious health complications in cats and dogs. Severe cases can be fatal. Uncooked meat and turkey bones are also threats to your pet’s health.

2. Pumpkin Pie

Plain pureed pumpkin from a can provides a delicious holiday treat for your dog or cat that promotes healthy digestion. Give it to your pet instead of a slice of pumpkin pie. The cinnamon and nutmeg often found in this Thanksgiving dessert are toxic to dogs, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures, among other health issues.

3. Stuffing

The onion, garlic, chive, and leek content in stuffing makes it another toxic food to keep out of dog and cat dishes. Other common ingredients in this classic side, such as raisins, peppers, and wild mushrooms, will upset your pet’s stomach.

4. Mashed Potatoes

Pet dairy sensitivities make a variety of holiday dishes off-limits, including mashed potatoes made with large amounts of butter, sour cream, and milk. Those mixed with onion and garlic become toxic to furry friends.

5. Cranberry Sauce

Canned cranberry sauce loaded with sugar or high fructose corn syrup should be avoided by you as well as your pet this holiday. Since homemade sauce is usually sugary as well—or made with pet-unfriendly ingredients such as raisins and nuts—say no when your animal begs.

Book a routine wellness exam for your beloved pet at Robertsdale Animal Clinic before your schedule gets even busier with the holidays. The animal hospital proudly serves Baldwin County, AL, and offers a full suite of services to keep area pets healthy, including emergency care and vaccinations. Call the animal hospital today at (251) 947-7297 to schedule an appointment, or learn more about the veterinarians online. Keep up with the latest news from this respected animal hospital on Facebook.