Thanksgiving brings family, food, and celebration. A few precautions can help keep dogs and cats comfortable and safe throughout the holiday.
Keep these foods away from pets
- Cooked bones can splinter or cause obstruction. Turkey skin, gravy, and fatty scraps may cause digestive upset or pancreatitis.
- Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks can damage red blood cells. Grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney injury in dogs.
- Chocolate, xylitol (sometimes labeled birch sugar), alcohol, and raw yeast dough can cause serious poisoning.
A little holiday treat?
For pets without dietary restrictions, offer only a small amount of plain, fully cooked, boneless turkey, plain pumpkin, or unseasoned green beans. Avoid rich, seasoned foods and sudden diet changes.
Make space for calm
Guests and changes in routine may overwhelm pets. Provide a quiet room, fresh water, and a safe resting place. Keep medications, trash, and food platters out of reach, and watch doors as visitors arrive.
A holistic note: gut health matters
Diet, stress, and the intestinal microbiome can influence digestive well-being. For pets with recurring gastrointestinal issues, individualized nutrition guidance and, when appropriate, microbiome evaluation may help inform a care plan.
When to seek help
Contact a veterinarian promptly for repeated vomiting, abdominal pain, significant lethargy, or persistent diarrhea. For suspected toxin ingestion, seek veterinary or pet poison-control advice immediately—even if your pet seems well. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed.
With gratitude
We are thankful for the animals who share our lives and the families who entrust us with their care. Wishing you and your companions a peaceful, healthy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Linda T. Stern, DVM, MS Nutrition, CVA • Healing Creatures Holistic Animal Hospital