Thanksgiving is fast-approaching—this signals that special time of the year for hearty meals and merry get-togethers. This is also the time for you to show off your refined cooking skills and whip up some of your family’s favorite dishes.
With that said, it’s not only your loved ones who would love to dig into your Thanksgiving food; don’t forget about your furry friends!
Most of the time (and especially when you’re not looking) your dog tours around tables to satisfy their curiosity for the mouthwatering aroma they’ve been smelling.
While there’s nothing wrong with letting your dog enjoy your Thanksgiving feast with you, you should be careful. It is during these festivities that they’re prone to accidental poisoning.
To help you get through your Thanksgiving dinner safely and merrily, prepare these safe treats for your furry friends:
1. Vegetables
If you want to keep your pet food selection healthy, you’ll never go wrong with leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and celery. You may also let them have a bite of carrots, green beans, and sweet potato.
To make your dog’s snack healthier, make sure that the vegetables aren’t covered in gravy, butter, or anything too fatty. Doing so keeps these snacks low-calorie and high-fiber.
2. Bread
Bread is another great Thanksgiving treat for your dog. You can let your four-legged friend enjoy a small piece, but make sure that it is baked properly.
At the same time, you’ll want to keep your unbaked bread dough out of their reach. This is because the yeast and sugar present in it can trigger the accumulation of carbon dioxide and ethanol in their stomach. Later on, it can lead to hypoglycemia, bloating, and, in the worst cases, alcohol poisoning.
3. Cheese
As you may know by now, dogs can become lactose intolerant over time. Furthermore, consuming milk and dairy products can give them digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
With that said, giving your furry friend a small amount of cheese from your cheese tray will not be a problem. Just remember to do it in moderation!
4. Turkey Breast and Stuffing
If your dog doesn’t have any food allergies, feeding a small amount of turkey breast should be fine. However, there are things you must keep in mind:
Avoid giving your dog trimmings, turkey skin, gravy, and other fatty snacks. These food items can inflame their pancreas and even cause pancreatitis.
Do not give any meat snacks to breeds such as Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs. These breeds are particularly predisposed to pancreatitis.
Keep bones out of reach. When accidentally ingested, bones can upset your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and even cause obstruction.
Finally, while the stuffing does contain some fat, you can let your dog have them in small amounts. However, remember to check what you give them—make sure it doesn’t contain raisins or currants as well as onions or garlic.
Conclusion
Since Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate, bond with loved ones, and enjoy special food, you can go easy on your dog. Allow them to indulge in good food as well. However, as repeatedly mentioned in the items above, make sure to feed them in moderation. Be mindful of what you let your dog eat; doing so keeps their tummy safe—and your celebration truly festive!
Looking for more delightful yet healthy pet food in Ann Arbor, MI? You’ve come to the right place! At Wags to Wiskers, we’ve got various types of foods for pets that have allergies, sensitive stomachs, or are just simply picky. Visit our website today to find the right food for your furry friend.