Thanksgiving food for pets: Know what's good for them and what could kill them
If your pets are anything like mine, you'll be getting puppy dog eyes while you're cooking Thanksgiving dinner. And who can say no to fuzzy faces like that?
Some common Thanksgiving foods are safe for pets, but others can be fatal for them.
The American Kennel Club released a list on which foods pets can and can't have on Turkey Day. Here's what you need to know about the foods and what to do if they eat something unsafe.
What Thanksgiving foods can my dogs eat?
"In general it is safest to stick to pets normal dog food even on holidays," local vet Erik Madison said. "But knowing our tendency to want to spoil our four-egged family members and include them in holiday celebrations here are some general guidelines."
These typical Thanksgiving foods are safe for dogs:
Turkey with no bones or skin.
Pure pumpkin puree, but not pre-spiced or sugary pumpkin mixes.
Sweet potatoes. But don't feed them sweet potatoes with maple syrup, sugar, or butter.
Boiled or baked potatoes. Avoid giving your dog mashed potatoes with butter, cream, or herbs.
Apples, but avoid the core and seeds.
Green beans, but without salt or butter.
Plain peas, don't add butter or salt.
What Thanksgiving foods are toxic for my dog?
"The rich and fatty foods such as dairy products, sweets, poultry skins and dark meat, fat trimmings, and anything fried, buttered, or greasy are very risky for causing gastrointestinal upsets including pancreatitis," Madison said.
Avoid a trip to the emergency pet hospital by keeping your dog away from these foods.
Turkey bones, skin, and gravy.
Ham.
Stuffing.
Casseroles.
Mashed potatoes.
Creamed peas.
Chocolate sweets.
Alcohol.
Onions, scallions, and garlic.
Yeast dough.
Grapes and raisins.
"Bones are another thing to avoid," Madison said. "While canines have been eating bones throughout history, we see plenty that end up sick from them; occasionally critically I’ll or requiring surgery."
What Thanksgiving foods are safe for my cat?
According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, here's the Thanksgiving foods that are safe for your feline friends.
Turkey and chicken, but avoid the skin.
Unseasoned pumpkin and squash.
Steamed or boiled unseasoned broccoli.
Plain white or wheat bread, but no raw yeasted dough.
Apples, but avoid the core, stem, and seeds.
Bananas.
What Thanksgiving foods are unsafe for my cat?
Milk and dairy products.
Onions and garlic.
Raw meat and fish, unless you've discussed the option with your vet.
Chocolate sweets.
Coffee, tea, and other caffeinated drinks.
Alcohol.
Grapes and raisins.
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What do I do if my pet eats something unsafe?
Even if your pet is acting normal, you should call an emergency vet as soon as you realize they've eaten something unsafe.
"If your dog shows illness symptoms including vomiting, abnormal stools, lethargy, discomfort, inappetence, gets in the garbage, or eats something you suspect may be toxic, call your vet clinic or an emergency hospital or urgent care center," Madison said. "For potential toxicities there are also poison control hotlines to call to help determine if medical attention is warranted and to guide treatment if so."
These pet hospitals are open on Thanksgiving in Collier County:
Emergency Pet Hospital of Collier County: Open 24 hours a day until Nov. 27 when they'll close at 8 a.m. - 6530 Dudley Drive- (239) 263-8010
UrgentVet Naples Vet Clinic: Open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on all holidays- 851 Vanderbilt Beach Road- Can register for a time slot online.
Collier Animal Referral and Emergency: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year- 1713 SW Health Parkway, Suite 1- (239) 610-2273
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: What Thanksgiving foods are unsafe for pets, what to do if pets eat toxic food
