It’s Thanksgiving and the turkey is calling your name. It’s calling your dog’s name too, and remember, they have way better sniffers than we do! It’s a special time of year where we gather and give thanks for all we have. Sometimes that includes travel (or travelers) and most often, it includes some heavy-duty food indulgence. If that’s your house, here are some top tips for Thanksgiving with dogs.
It’s inevitable. Those puppy dog eyes and drool covering the floor are going to get to you and you’re going to want to give him some treats. It’s okay…we’re all pretty much helpless when it comes to their begging. After all, they are our best friends, right?
But we should take a few precautions, because there are some foods that could be dangerous for your dog.
People, people everywhere
If you’re planning a holiday gathering (check out some fun things to do with dogs here), you may want to remember that visitors coming and going can be a big deal to your dog. If they’re not the most fond of crowds, even if it is Great Aunt Bessie with the delicious apple pie, give them some space. Allow them to have a safe space in case the visitors are noisier than normal and the activity going on is way more than they’re used to. You know your dog; if he seems nervous, be sure his crate or another safe area he can feel like he’s denning in is an option for him. And as always, be sure to let guests know what your dog’s temperament is like and what kind of interaction he’s cool with having. Be sure they have safe and comfy items–their favorite toy or a lovie (if they have one) and you can even consider some music for dogs to keep them calm while the festivities are going on.
Also remember your dog may be so nervous he’ll want to escape. Be careful if you’ve not got him set off–be sure he’s wearing his collar and his microchip is up-to-date. It’s sort of like the 4th of July and Halloween when it comes to guest activity.
Keep them out of trouble
Thanksgiving is FULL of tempting situations for your dog! The turkey’s out, the trash is full of great smelling (and fowl-smelling!) garbage and bones seem to be abounding. You can’t blame a dog for being a dog, so do the best you can to keep things your counter-surfers would go nuts for out of their way. Keep trash closed up and remember that poultry bones are NOT good for your dog. If friends or family bring special items with them, keep them where your dog may not be tempted to chow down (nothing tastes as great as Great Aunt Gertude’s fur-trimmed shawl)! They’re likely to be overstimulated, and you can help by being proactive and taking temptations away.
Be careful of indulgence
Yes, dogs can have turkey–they love it, actually. BUT…turkey and turkey skin, even if in small amounts, can sometimes cause pancreatitis. Fatty foods are hard for dogs to digest, so while your dog will be BEGGING for turkey, if you DO indulge their pleas, do so VERY sparingly.
More, be careful with fatty foods. They are also hard for your dog to digest and can cause tummy issues like diarrhea or constipation. [1] Remember, a tiny treat will go a very long way!
And when it comes to deadly foods–realize that there ARE deadly foods for your dog. Raisins, grapes, xylitol…they can be deadly and are often found in foods you wouldn’t even realize. There is nothing scarier than seeing your dog suffer from food poisoning, and it’s worth it to be very careful about what they get on Thanksgiving.
Honestly? A great way to go is to buy a special treat (or make one!) that’s dog safe and let them have it when you’re eating dinner. Then you know there’s no worries about it being unsafe for your best friend!
Keep plants at bay
Remember that there are also plants that are not good for dogs. In fact, they can be toxic! They include amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas and even poinsettia, which is often out at Thanksgiving. Symptoms of toxicity include pain, diarrhea, vomiting, panting or behavior change. If you’re worried about any poisoning, call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435. And it’s always a good idea to contact your vet too!
Travel safely!
If YOU are the ones doing the traveling, whether by air or by car, be sure to have a copy of pet records and vaccination info just in case. You never know, and it’s better to be safe than sorry. A health certificate from the vet is a good idea, and you want to make sure that if you’re in a car, your dog is safely secured in case there’s sudden braking or an accident. Again, make sure your dog is properly identified, and be sure he gets plenty of water when traveling. If you’re taking your flat-faced breed, you may even want to talk to your vet about traveling by air.
Bernie’s Perfect Poop is the perfect thanksgiving side!
At the end of the day, one of the best things to be thankful for is your dog’s good health. And with that, you can know he’s in the best health he can be because you give him Bernie’s Perfect Poop. It’s the perfect ‘side’ for every meal of the year–a 4-in-1 combo that has premium fiber, pre- and probiotics and digestive enzymes to enhance and maintain a healthy gut. Good dog gut health can battle all sorts of common tummy ailments in dogs. Things like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, poor nutrient absorption and more.
And even better, giving your dog Bernie’s Perfect Poop with each meal will also help him have a strong immune system that’s capable of protecting him from suffering the effects of things like allergies, irritable bowel and even poor mental health.
When it comes to tips for your dog, the best one we can give (and do all the time) is to keep his gut as healthy as it can be. Bernie’s Perfect Poop makes that as easy as can be!
