Thanksgiving is a time to come together with family and friends to feast and express each others’ gratitude. Sharing this experience with your dog can memorable moments too, but if you are hosting or taking your dog with you to Thanksgiving day dinner, keep reading to learn these Thanksgiving dog safety tips to keep your little furry one out of harm’s way and safe at home this holiday.
Poison Risks
- Keep food out of your dog’s reach. Many foods that we eat for Thanksgiving are difficult for your dog’s body to digest, and can result in gastrointestinal issues and other health complications. Yeast dough in particular can cause painful gas and bloating. Even the smallest amount of table scraps can be fatal if not noticed and dealt with right away.
- Carefully decorate your home. If you are decorating your home with plants and other seasonal decor be careful of where you place them. Ideally, place them in areas where your dog won’t be able reach and chew on them. There are many plants that are poisonous to dogs and should be avoided keeping in your home. You can more about that here.
- Quick actions can save your dog’s life. Signs of distress include: sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you believe your dog is poisoned, or has eaten something poisonous to them, contact your personal veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic immediately. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline (888-426-4435) or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661).
Party Preparations
- Visitors can upset your dog. Some dogs are fearful, anxious, or even aggressive towards people visiting your home. Those feelings can be exacerbated with the noise and activity levels higher than usual in their home. If your dog barks and exhibits any of these behaviors when visitors arrive, keep them separated in another room with their favorite toys to keep them distracted. You can avoid any accidents this way.
- Watch the exits. No one wants their dog to escape home. Even if your dog is comfortable with having people in their home, it’s best to keep an extra eye on them when guests arrive and leave to avoid them from running away.
- ID tags and microchips bring families back together. Make sure that your dog’s ID tag and microchip information are up-to-date. Many families have been reunited thanks to these two factors.
Traveling
- Never leave your dog alone in a vehicle. No exceptions.
- Keep restrained in cars. Secure your dog’s harness to the car seat, or place them in their carrier, always away from airbags. Keeping your dog restrained while driving will make sure that there aren’t any distractions that could lead to accidents on the road.
- Boarding your dog. If you will be boarding your dog while you are away for Thanksgiving, speak with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is up-to-date on all of their vaccinations.
Dog City wishes everyone a happy and healthy holiday! We hope these Thanksgiving safety tips will come in handy.
