Thanksgiving Safety Reminders

As we approach a day full of food indulgence, remember to keep your pooch away from these common food items:

Turkey Skin:  High food foods can be hazardous to health.  Add that turkey skin will hold marinade, spices, butter and oils that can be hard to digest.  High fat foods can lead to vomiting, abdominal pain or pancreatitis.

Cooked bones:  Cooked turkey and ham bones are NOT safe for a dog.  Once cooked, bones can easily splinter in your dog’s throat or digestive tract.  Be sure to dispose of bones carefully so they are safely away from your very tempted dog.

Onions & Garlic:  Sulfides found in onion and garlic are toxic to dogs and can lead to anemia.

Alcohol:  Any alcohol, but particularly the hops in beer, can be toxic to dogs.

Nuts:  Specifically walnuts and macadamia nuts, which can cause a toxic reaction, gastric problems, or neurological symptoms.

Grapes & Raisins: The grape family can cause serious and sometimes fatal kidney problems for dogs.

Nutmeg:  Used to spice up your sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, nutmeg can cause seizures and central nervous system problems ….Your pooch will prefer just plain sweet potatoes and pumpkin, which ARE safe for dogs.

Chocolate, Dough & Batter:  We all know chocolate is a big NO, but dough can rise in your dog’s stomach, causing bloating and severe pain.  Dough and batter also likely contains raw eggs – like humans, dogs are susceptible to salmonella. 

Should your dog get into something they shouldn’t, be sure that you have an emergency vet’s contact information on-hand.  You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Non-food tips also include making sure your pets are wearing proper identification in case they dart out the door when guests arrive and to have a safe, quiet area in your home set up in case your dog gets a little overwhelmed by the extra activities and guests.

Have a Happy and SAFE Holiday, from your friends at United Doberman Rescue and Canine Castaways of MN!