Despite our best merry-making intentions, the holidays can be stressful for the whole family, pets included. The holidays are a dangerous time for pets. The holiday spike in pet accidents are largely due to changes in routine, amplified stress, more household traffic, and an increase in food as well as in unexpected situations. Thanksgiving is all about sharing, and you might be tempted to invite your cat or dog to join you as you indulge in a mountain of goodies. While this seems innocent enough—after all, you love your pet and it is a part of the family—the truth is that it’s much more loving for you not to share your holiday meal. A large percentage of cats and dogs end up sick on Thanksgiving Day, or on the days that follow, and instead of celebrating with the family they end up in the hospital on medication. Why must you resist the temptation of giving even a few giblets of turkey to your pet? Because there is a good chance you will end up in the vet’s office or, worse, the emergency room with a $1,000 bill and a suffering pet. The majority of emergency room visits during Thanksgiving revolve around the turkey. And don’t even think about adding a ladle of gravy to your pets’ kibble. Owners must abstain from feeding any table foods to their pets. Even a small piece of butter-coated vegetable can cause a life-threatening pancreatitis in certain pets. Don’t risk it. Strange foods and diet changes are hazardous to your pets’ digestive system and can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and a very sick animal.
If you can’t say no to those big brown eyes staring up at you while you savor your incredible meal, simply put your pets in another room with some of their favorite toys and their regular food and water. That way, you will resist the urge to share your holiday feast.
Toxic turkey
Refrain from giving any part of that beautiful bird to your cat or dog. While it may seem like just a little piece of turkey skin couldn’t hurt your pet, it can actually cause a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis. The pancreas is a vital organ, which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: to produce hormones, such as insulin and to produce enzymes that help in digestion of food. The production of enzymes helps break down food to allow the absorption of nutrients. But when pets eat high-fat foods, it triggers the pancreas to produce and release a large amount of enzymes. Subsequently, the pancreas malfunctions and the enzymes end up digesting the pancreas itself. Clinical signs of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. Pancreatitis may occur as a single episode or a recurring event. Most cases need immediate medical attention as pets can quickly develop potentially fatal side effects such as dehydration, shock, blood clotting disorders, heart arrhythmia, and liver or kidney damage. If you suspect your pet has pancreatitis, take them to the vet immediately. Overweight dogs are even more at risk.
The carcass can create dangers as it may harbor salmonella, an organism that lives in the turkey’s intestinal tract. The cooking process usually kills all of the bacteria, but occasionally the center of the turkey may be undercooked, especially if it’s large or full of stuffing. If the carcass sits out at room temperature for too long, the bacteria will multiply, and pets can become violently ill from eating it. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, listlessness, fever, and loss of appetite. Make sure you either freeze the carcass or tie it up in a plastic bag and throw it out in a secure dumpster where no pets can get to it.
Mind the Trash
Sure, you probably know whether your cat or dog is a garbage forager by now, and are normally very vigilant about keeping it out of your pet's reach, but during this busy time of year when unaware company can throw off family routines, a pet is more likely to get in the trash during this time of year. There they'll find foods and other objects they shouldn't -- but will want to -- eat.
The following are some common hazards that could pose a threat to household animals during the Thanksgiving holiday:
If you can’t say no to those big brown eyes staring up at you while you savor your incredible meal, simply put your pets in another room with some of their favorite toys and their regular food and water. That way, you will resist the urge to share your holiday feast.
Toxic turkey
Refrain from giving any part of that beautiful bird to your cat or dog. While it may seem like just a little piece of turkey skin couldn’t hurt your pet, it can actually cause a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis. The pancreas is a vital organ, which lies on the right side of the abdomen. It has two functions: to produce hormones, such as insulin and to produce enzymes that help in digestion of food. The production of enzymes helps break down food to allow the absorption of nutrients. But when pets eat high-fat foods, it triggers the pancreas to produce and release a large amount of enzymes. Subsequently, the pancreas malfunctions and the enzymes end up digesting the pancreas itself. Clinical signs of pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. Pancreatitis may occur as a single episode or a recurring event. Most cases need immediate medical attention as pets can quickly develop potentially fatal side effects such as dehydration, shock, blood clotting disorders, heart arrhythmia, and liver or kidney damage. If you suspect your pet has pancreatitis, take them to the vet immediately. Overweight dogs are even more at risk.
The carcass can create dangers as it may harbor salmonella, an organism that lives in the turkey’s intestinal tract. The cooking process usually kills all of the bacteria, but occasionally the center of the turkey may be undercooked, especially if it’s large or full of stuffing. If the carcass sits out at room temperature for too long, the bacteria will multiply, and pets can become violently ill from eating it. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, listlessness, fever, and loss of appetite. Make sure you either freeze the carcass or tie it up in a plastic bag and throw it out in a secure dumpster where no pets can get to it.
Mind the Trash
Sure, you probably know whether your cat or dog is a garbage forager by now, and are normally very vigilant about keeping it out of your pet's reach, but during this busy time of year when unaware company can throw off family routines, a pet is more likely to get in the trash during this time of year. There they'll find foods and other objects they shouldn't -- but will want to -- eat.
The following are some common hazards that could pose a threat to household animals during the Thanksgiving holiday:
Too many fatty, rich, or even just new types of foods can give your pet inflammation of the pancreas, stomach or intestines. Inflammation of these organs can be very painful and can lead to serious, even life-threatening, disease or illness.
Bones can irritate, tear or obstruct your pet's digestive tract. Turkey bones are especially harmful because they are hollow and can easily splinter in your pet's mouth.
The tasty string often used to tie up the turkey during roasting can tie up your pets' gastrointestinal tract, as can the bag your turkey came in or the little red "popper".
Onions, garlic, and chives often abundantly found in stuffing, are toxic to dogs and especially to cats. Ingestion of these common foods can cause destruction of the red blood cells, leading to anemia.
Too much chocolate, especially baking chocolate, can actually kill your dog, so keep it out of reach.
Raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats.
So just follow these simple rules and you will ensure this really is the most wonderful time of the year for your cat or dog? Happy Thanksgiving to All from Paws-itive Experience
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