Did you know that domestic dogs and cats were part of the first Thanksgiving feast? They came over on the Mayflower. Two English Spaniels and a cat named Felix. Felix worked on his passage over, catching mice. The dogs were brought to protect the colonists from wolves.
Now their descendants are begging to take part in your Thanksgiving bounty. But be aware that many of the delicacies you are making can be harmful to them. Here is a list of traditional foods to watch out for:
Turkey Time
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer them raw or under-cooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Wrappings
Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper. While licking up food left on these wrappings, pets can ingest some of the wrapper, leading to intestinal obstructions. Also, look out for tooth picks, skewers, and used silverware.
Hot Food
When carrying hot food from the stove or to the table, be sure your cat or dog isn’t taking that moment to weave through your legs.
Centerpieces and Decorations
As always, be careful with the items you have on your table or around your house. Many common plants like Baby’s Breath and Chrysanthemums are toxic to your pet.
Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eating in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effect of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough
Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animals’ body heat causes the dough to rise in their stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs – they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato, or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea, or even worse – an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best to keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
SOURCE – SCRAPS release, November 2017
