On Thanksgiving, you and your loved ones get to enjoy a wide variety of delicious foods. Unfortunately, many of those foods pose a threat to your pet’s health. Here are some of the Thanksgiving foods that veterinarians say you should never give your cat or dog.

4 Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous to Pets

1. Stuffing

This Thanksgiving favorite tends to feature onions, garlic, leeks, scallions, shallots, and chives. These ingredients, which all belong to the Allium family, contain N-propyl disulfide, a compound that can cause anemia (a lack of red blood cells) in pets. Store all stuffing and stuffing ingredients up high, out of your pet’s reach, and clean your dining floor as soon as dinner’s over to remove any crumbs. 

2. Ham or Sausage 

These festive foods can trigger pancreatitis in our pets, an extremely painful condition that can be fatal in serious cases. Vomiting, not wanting to eat, and lethargy are the signs of pancreatitis. Some pets will have very painful bellies. Store leftover ham or sausage in a container that’s somewhere inaccessible to your pets, and clean up any spills and remnants immediately.  

3. Fruit Salad

Fruit salad typically contains grapes or raisins, both of which can cause kidney failure in pets. It may also include nuts, which can give your pet diarrhea, nausea, or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) due to their high fat and oil content. If you must include these ingredients in your fruit salad, keep it far away from your pets. 

4. Turkey Bones

Giving your dog a turkey bone may seem harmless, but, when ingested, the bone may splinter and puncture your pet’s internal organs, causing severe damage and infections. This is because poultry bones are brittle, especially after being cooked, so they’re susceptible to breaking and splintering easily. That’s why veterinarians suggest throwing away all turkey bones the moment you’re done eating.

Protect your pets all year long with the help of Montgomery Animal Hospital. Based in Cincinnati, OH, these trusted veterinarians provide comprehensive care to cats, dogs, and exotic animals like birds, reptiles, and rabbits. Accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association, they’ve been keeping pets happy and healthy for 70 years. Learn more about the practice online, and call  (513) 791-7912 to schedule an appointment.