Post by trinitydobes on Nov 23, 2011 21:47:18 GMT -5
The Top 5 Most Dangerous Holiday Pet Hazards
#1 Keep the holiday decorations out of reach – center pieces, Flowers, gourds etc.
#2 Beware of Cold Weather Hazards, never allow your pets near antifreeze it is instant death. Do not leave your pet outside for any length of time when the weather is wet and cold. Also be sure and wash your dogs paws and tummy if your walks take you where salt and chemicals have been applied – you need to wash their paws – not let them lick their paws and tummy clean.
#3 Keep the Thanksgiving Feast on the table – they are not for your pet – also be sure and dispose of bones and other high fat – tempting dinner discards properly – your dogs nose will be more tempted to check out the left overs thrown away in the trash can than any other time. Cooked Turkey bones can cause choking and obstruction problems
#4 Keep Holiday plants up high and out of reach. Holly, Mistletoe, Poinsettia, Lilies and Christmas tree water can all be highly TOXIC if ingested
#5 Make sure that your pet has a permanent ID (microchip), ID tags on his collar or tattoo – The holidays present a high risk for your pet to slip out the front door as guests come and go. Make sure your guests know you have pets and make them aware of the need to be careful as they come and go through the front door.
Tips for Navagating the Thanksgiving Holiday Safely
Thanksgiving is the first of several holidays coming up in the next month or so. We are all anticipating that golden roasted bird with all the trimmings!! The smell coming from the kitchen on these feast days will have not only you and your human family drooling,you’re your pets too.
If you think your kids are horrible about sneaking a bite here a piece there, they are nothing compared to your pets. Those cute little furry members of your family have to be watched just a closely as your family. Thanksgiving is a holiday all about sharing and there is quite a lot of this feasts offerings that you can share with your pets.
You might be wondering if you can safely share the Thanksgiving feast your pets? And the answer is yes…. But with some conservative consideration.
If we’re talking raw turkey, your pet can eat any part of it, including the packet of giblets (not the paper package), and even the bones and necks. Dogs and cats are carnivores and in the wild, eat anything they forage. And yes, it’s always raw. The splintering of bones you read about only occurs if you feed your pet cooked turkey bones. So any part of the turkey can be fed to them if it’s raw. This includes the wings and the neck.
Please be careful about all the tools and the packaging that the food comes in – skewers, string, plastic, styrofoam – all these things will be soaked in good smelling and good tasing liquids – please remember to keep all these things away from your pet, and pay particular attention to the trash can before, and after dinner – it should not be left unattened at this time of year, unless its one of the ones you can firmly lock the lid
The situation TOTALLY changes if we’re talking about cooked turkey. You want avoid cooked bones, and just give them meat. Only the smallest amounts of cooked turkey fat and skin should be given; the fat content is so high it can give your pet diarrhea and, if enough is taken in, even cause pancreatitis.
Dogs and cats can also have cooked vegetables in small amounts, too that has not been seasoned with butter and spices. You should avoid onions, and some dogs don’t tolerate garlic, but green beans, a small amount of potatoes, and even a smidge of gravy will give your pet a Thanksgiving feast he will enjoy!
I usually take the broth from the bottom of the turkey pan, and dilute it well with water, then I poor that into ice trays and freeze – these make great treats for your dog, and can be microwaved to thaw all during the year – one melted ice cube is just the right amount to put over your dogs dry kibble as a treat.
After dinner, the same tryptophans that make you sleepy can affect your pet, so don’t be surprised when you doze off to find your pet right besides you!
Also if this is the first holiday gathering for your puppy – be aware that even the most well socialized pup can be over whelmed with all the activity, new people and change of routine. Some pups may enjoy the day better spent in another room or their crate – some may be just fine in the “thick” of the activity. Please be sure and advise your company of what your HOUSE RULES are for your new puppy, so they don’t get him in trouble! And no feeding the puppy from the table!
The schedule for Thanksgiving day will be much different than usual, remember though that to your pup its just another day, but with a lot of distractions and wonderful smells. Along with all the other tasks of the day – remember your pup still needs to be let outside, get exercise and have quiet time for naps – an overely tired puppy is a cranky puppy.
If you are going to visit family and taking your pup with you, be sure to take a crate or xpen so that you can respect the household you are visiting and your pup will be kept safe and out of trouble as well. That way he and you will be welcome next year!
May you all have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving
