The holidays aren’t just a stressful time for humans—they can wreak havoc on our dogs, too. Whether it is a crowd of people in the house or tempting turkey bones, the holidays can be hard on your dog and present unique challenges.
As a responsible pet owner, you should work to keep your dog safe from these obstacles this Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving Food
While it’s tempting to share the delicious foods of the holidays with your dog, you should avoid giving Fido any of the following items:
- Turkey bones or skin
- Undercooked or raw turkey
- Raw dough or batter
- Dessert—especially if it contains chocolate or xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
All these foods, in addition to fatty foods, can hurt your dog’s digestion and even put him/her at risk of life-threatening conditions. Encourage your guests to refrain from giving your dog table scraps, and be sure while you cook that you put all foods and trash out of your dog’s reach.
Instead of feeding your dog table scraps, you can always find delicious Thanksgiving-themed treats at your local pet store. Many treat brands have come out with seasonal pumpkin and turkey themed treats that will have your dog’s tail wagging.
Unexpected Guests
Even if your dog loves people, a house full of them can cause stress that leads to misbehavior. Supervise your dog’s interaction with children and help your dog stay calm by keeping him/her in a separate room when guests enter the house. Make sure your dog has somewhere to go to be alone during the holidays.
Travel Safely
If you are heading out of town and taking your favorite canine with you, be sure the microchip information is up-to-date and that your dog always wears the collar with identification tags on it. If you are taking a road trip, be sure to stop every few hours to let your dog use the restroom and get some water.
If your dog is being boarded, be sure all vaccines are up-to-date, including the Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine. Vaccines can keep dogs safe when boarding with other dogs.
If your dog eats something he/she shouldn’t, gets sick or faces other holiday problems, you can call Animal Medical Center of Charlottesville in Pantops Shopping Center at 434-295-8757. Our expert veterinarians can help your dog get back to better health.
