Thanksgiving Treats (Or Not!)
Thanksgiving for me has always meant a quiet day to enjoy family, food, and football (usually in that order). Our family gathers together at my mother’s house for a Thanksgiving feast with all the “fixins’” followed by some serious couch time! One chore we take great care in, however, is putting away all the leftovers before we sit down. You see, the cats and dog that share my parents’ house would love to sink their teeth into some Thanksgiving goodies as we’re all relaxing. For one thing, the heavy seasoning and high fat content of many dishes can have a tendency to upset pet stomachs. The resulting diarrhea or vomiting would likely put a damper on football time. In addition, leftover bones from the main event can get caught or even splinter in your pet’s digestive system. Onions and garlic should be avoided as well as raisins, grapes, and avocado. Chocolate especially should be avoided! One last thing to keep in mind; remember to put all of the string, foil, plastic, and any other food preparation trash into a secure trashcan with a lid or take it out immediately since these items will smell oh-so-tasty to our four-legged family.1
The best idea for spoiling your pet on Thanksgiving is to give them some of their usual treats and some of your time in playing, walking, or otherwise spending time with them. Save the Thanksgiving specialties for leftovers!
1. CBSNews, http://www.cbsnews.com/, 11/26/2013