Thanksgiving - a holiday full of family, friends and most importantly, delicious food! Whether you're into the savory goodies like turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing, or have more of a sweet tooth and go for those yummy desserts, there's always something for everyone to look forward to.
Your mouth may already be watering while dreaming of Thanksgiving dinner, but it's important to know what foods to keep away from your dog to keep them safe this holiday. While your dog is a part of your family and should enjoy the festivities with you, there are certain food items you should avoid feeding them.
Here's a list of common Thanksgiving foods you should NOT feed your dog this holiday:
1. Turkey and Turkey Skin
Turkey is not entirely bad for dogs depending on how you cook it. The AKA says that when you cook turkey plain it could be full of nutrients for your dog and a staple part of their diet. However it's Thanksgiving turkeys that can be toxic as we usually lather them in tons of oils and spices, especially the skin. Fatty foods are hard for dogs to digest and even feeding your dog a tiny amount can cause pancreatitis. If your dog is insisting on joining in the meal, feed your dog only small amounts of meat, otherwise, save the turkey for you and your family!
2. Mashed Potatoes
Dairy specifically can cause digestive problems for your dog. Salt can also cause excessive thirst and urination or in larger amounts vomiting and diarrhea. It is probably for the best to keep the creamy goodness on the table.
3. Pies and Desserts
It is commonly known that chocolate is not safe for your dog to eat as it can cause minor symptoms like vomiting or more extreme like seizures and even death. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in most baked goods that can cause serious health problems for your dog including hypoglycemia You might have a sweet tooth, but your dog certainly does not!
4. Yeast Dough
This includes most breads, biscuits and other baked goods that need yeast in order to rise. Yeast dough can cause painful gas and bloating for your dog and in extreme cases cause the stomach to twist, which is life threatening. No biscuits and gravy for your dog!
5. Alcohol
It may be fun to make Thanksgiving cocktails for you and your family, but do not let your dog try your concoction! Even if your dog gets a tiny sip of alcohol, it can lead to serious problems. Serious symptoms include troubled breathing, central nervous system depression, tremors, coma and even death. If you think your dog has accidentally consumed alcohol, call your veterinarian or a poison control hotline.
Get Help
These are just some common Thanksgiving foods that are not recommended for dogs, always check the foods you give your dog are safe before feeding them. If you think your dog has eaten any of these foods or is suddenly sick, you can call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661.