Have a Happy Thanksgiving with Your Furry Friends!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving with Your Furry Friends!

               Where did this year go? It’s Thanksgiving already and that means our annual PSA on safety tips for pets.  Whether you’re cooking the feast or traveling, make sure pets are happy and healthy on Turkey Day.

               If you’re traveling with your pets, make sure that you take vaccine information, any medications they may need, and, if possible, have your pets microchipped.  Microchips have reunited many lost pets with their owners.  If you are flying with your pet, make sure to contact the airline well ahead of time to see what is required. Most airlines require a health certificate within ten days of travel.  If pets are anxious during travel or don’t enjoy Uncle Bob’s company any more than you do, talk to your vet about supplements or anti-anxiety medication for the big day. 

               The Thanksgiving feast is usually a sight to behold—golden roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, that green bean casserole that everyone makes—it’s tempting to want to share the bounty with our four-legged friends.  But the foods we all enjoy can wreak havoc on pets’ digestive systems and no one wants to clean up vomit or diarrhea on the holidays.  Consider giving your pet a special dog or cat treat instead of table food.  If you cannot resist giving your pet some of your dinner, limit it to a few bites of turkey meat (no skin or fat!) and vegetables.  Plain pumpkin or sweet potatoes are OK but do not feed pumpkin pie or other desserts.  Most of the other foods we eat on Thanksgiving have loads of butter, onions and seasonings that are not good for pets.  

               Make extra sure that pets cannot access the turkey carcass once the festivities are over.  Turkey bones can cause serious problems. If you truss your turkey with twine, make sure cats (and dogs) can’t get ahold of the string and eat it. Linear foreign bodies like strings can get stuck in the intestines and can even cut through the intestine.

               Be mindful of fire safety as well if you are lighting candles or using a fireplace or wood burning stove and make sure cats (or curious dogs) do not chew on flowers or centerpieces which could contain toxic plants or present a risk for a foreign body.

               If your pet does eat a turkey bone, has GI upset or experiences some other health issue or emergency, make sure you have contact information for a local vet and an emergency clinic, especially if you’re traveling out of town.  Patton Vet will be closed Thursday (the Animal Emergency and Referral Center of York is open 24/7  AERC Phone: (717) 767-5355 Address: 1640 S Queen St, York, PA 17403) but, we’re open 8AM to 8PM on Friday if you need us!

               Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving York, Red Lion and the surrounding communities.

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/thanksgiving-pet-safety.aspx