- PET HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS - What NOT to Feed Your Pets at Thanksgiving !
1 . Turkey Skin and Undercooked Meat - Small pieces of lean , white meat are fine , but do not give your dog or cat any turkey skin . Too much skin can cause a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis , and basting ingredients such as onion , sage , and garlic can be very toxic for pets . Also , salmonella is a big threat if you feed your pet a piece of raw or undercooked meat . 2 . Stuffing and Gravy - Many people use onions , sage , garlic , scallions , pepper , and mushrooms to make stuffing for the turkey . Those ingredients can be deadly for dogs and cats ! Don ' t even give them a small " taste " - it isn ' t worth the risk . 3 . Cranberry Sauce - While cranberries themselves are fine for pets and and are often used in commercial dog foods , the problem is the other ingredients used to turn them into a holiday sauce . Huge amounts of sugar or high fructose corn syrup is not good for animals , and ingredients like raisins and certain nuts can be dangerous . 4 . Green Bean or Corn Casserole - Plain green beans are fine . Green Bean Casserole , made with fried onion and mushrooms , is not . Corn can cause intestinal obstruction . 5 . Turkey Bones - People should know this , but it ' s good to remind everyone , anyway . Never feed cooked bones to your pets . At the very least , it can cause vomiting . Worst case scenario - it can cause intestinal obstruction and splinter injure or puncture your pet ' s stomach and intestines . 6 . Bread Dough and Cake Batter - Bread dough rises , which is not something you want to happen inside your dog ' s or cat ' s stomach , as it can cause vomiting and painful abdominal bloating . Bread dough and cake batter also may contain raw eggs , which can carry salmonella . 7 . Mashed Potatoes - If your pet is lactose intolerant , the milk and butter you add to make mashed potatoes can give your pet diarrhea and an upset tummy . Be careful about flavorings . Even powdered garlic or onion is toxic to animals . 8 . Fruit Salads - Walfdorf salads are especially dangerous because they contain grapes , raisins , and / or nuts , which can cause serious and sometimes fatal kidney problems for dogs . 9 . Walnuts and Macadamia Nuts - While some nuts aren ' t a problem for dogs ( in moderation ) walnuts and macadamia nuts definitely are not . Macadamia nut toxicosis can cause neurological symptoms , vomiting , and lethargy . Walnuts can cause gastric problems and may contain mycotoxins that cause seizures and neurological symptoms . 10 . Chocolate - Chocolate contains the chemical theobromine , which is poisonous for pets , and can cause vomiting , diarrhea , seizures , and death . 11 . Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Pie - Pumpkin and sweet potatoes are just fine , even healthy , for pets , especially dogs . But , the holiday pies , casseroles , and yam dishes made with these ingredients are something to be wary of . Most recipes for pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie call for nutmeg and cinnamon . Nutmeg is very dangerous for dogs . It contains a toxin called myristicin , which , in large amounts can cause seizures and problems with the central nervous system . If cinnamon is ingested in large powdered amounts or through an essential oil , it can cause diarrhea , liver disease , vomiting and low blood sugar . Dogs that eat too much can even die , so keep those pies out of reach , and don ' t even give them a forkful to sample ! 12 . Alcohol - It ' s poisonous for dogs and cats , even in small amounts .
If you are intent on sharing your Thanksgiving Feast with your furry friends , safe options include plain pumpkin , sweet potatoes , raw carrots , broccoli , and just a bit of well-cooked white meat . And be sure to keep an eye on Fido or Fifi to make sure they don ' t steal any treats from the countertop or Thanksgiving table ! And keep the phone number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center should you need it - 888-426-4435 . They are available for advice on any animal poison-related emergency , 24 hours a day , 365 days a year . A consultation fee may apply .
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Pawsitively Pets -- November