Say No to Table Scraps

Too much rich, fatty food, or simply new, unfamiliar foods can upset a pet’s stomach—and even cause pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening. Pet owners and their guests should go easy on the table scraps no matter how your pooch is a master of puppy eyes.

No Bones About It

Poultry bones can break up or splinter in a pet’s stomach and be deadly, so dogs and cats should never be allowed to gnaw on them. Instead, bones should be discarded in a closed trash can immediately. Additionally, food-flavored items like plastic wrap, string, mesh or even a pop-up timer can smell tempting to curious pets and can cause injury to their stomachs if stolen and ingested, so make sure to toss them into the trash as soon as possible.

Treat ‘Em Right

Chocolate desserts often follow a delicious dinner for us humans, but pet parents should remember chocolate is toxic for dogs and should be kept out of reach. Other common food items that can be poisonous to dogs include onions, raisins, and grapes, which may be included in Thanksgiving staples such as stuffing, green bean casserole and more.

Say No to Naughty Guests

It’s a good idea to review your household pet safety rules with any guests, since well-meaning holiday visitors might not know the potential harm caused by slipping treats under the table. Instead, offer them the chance to hand out tasty pet treats or a fun toy.

Can Dogs Eat Cranberries?

Our friends at Spot Pet Insurance say: Yes, in general, cranberries are a safe snack to give dogs, although there are some key factors to consider.

Toxicity. Cranberries are not toxic to dogs. Unlike their highly toxic cousin, the grape, cranberries are safe for dogs except in excess.

If your dog eats a handful of cranberries or less, you should have nothing to worry about. More than that, especially for smaller pooches, an upset stomach or similar issues are likely to occur.

Moderation. With that in mind, the key to feeding cranberries to dogs is moderation. As with almost everything, there is a proper balance. Too many cranberries can be a problem, but abstinence from cranberries isn’t necessarily the optimal solution either, as this fruit does have numerous health and nutritional benefits.

Some of these positive qualities include antioxidants, which help support your dog’s immune system and combat inflammation, as well as vitamin c, fiber, and potassium.

Conclusion

“During this season of gratitude, it’s also important to remember others that aren’t as fortunate, including homeless dogs and cats,” said Julie Castle, CEO at Best Friends Animal Society. “So many shelters are currently at or over capacity, so if you can foster or adopt a pet, the time to do so is now. Not only will you be saving a life, but you’ll also help America’s shelters to become no-kill by 2025.”