Thanksgiving...the food, visiting relatives, the food, Black Friday shopping...did I mention the food?
Thanksgiving is often celebrated with family and friends, gathering around a table filled with food. It also marks the official start to the holiday shopping season. While we're feasting, visiting, and shopping, it's important to remember our pets and how we can keep them safe.
1) No Table Food for the Pets! It's tough to resist those big brown eyes begging for that bite of turkey or whatnot, but for the health of your pet, you need to resist. Do not feed pets scraps from the table. Watch for children dropping food from the table, and advise your guests not to feed your pets. Eating people food can cause an upset stomach (vomiting and/or diarrhea) as well as a more serious pancreatitis.
2) No Bones! Breaking the wishbone is fun, but do not give any bones to your pets. Bones, especially poultry bones, are soft and can splinter easily, possible causing injury to the esophagus on the way down, or even getting stuck and choking the pet. Bones can also cause fractured teeth and intestinal blockages. It's just not worth the risk.
3) Watch for Escapees! With everyone in and out for dinner or to shop, it's very easy for a pet to slip outside unnoticed. Always know where your pets are when people are coming and going.
So, how can you keep your pets safe?
The best thing you can do is keep your pets secured in their own room. This will prevent escapes out the door as well as allow your pets to feel safe away from the hustle and bustle. Some pets, cats especially, do not do well with a lot of commotion and extra people in the house, so having their own room can make them feel better.
Keeping your pets in a secure room also protects them from being slipped table scraps or from picking up food from the floor. As long as your pet is healthy and not on a special diet, you can give your pet an extra treat (milkbone, wet food, etc).
Make sure everything from dinner is cleaned up, furniture moved back, etc, before letting your pets out of the room.
If you travel for the holiday, make sure to secure pet care as early as possible. Kennels fill fast and pet sitters are claimed quickly. If you chose to travel with your pet, be sure to take plenty of your pet's own food, bedding and toys from home so they feel more comfortable. Also make sure there will be a quiet area away from the commotion for your pet to stay so they are safe.
One final thing-don't forget that flea prevention! Whether you are going visiting, or having visitors to your home, fleas can and will hitch a ride and decide to set up housekeeping in your house. Fleas can survive the winter inside, and we often see an increase in fleas on pets this time of year. So don't take the chance. Keep your pets current on their flea prevention.
Suburban's Holiday Hours are as follows:
Wednesday Nov 26: 7:00am-4:00pm
Thursday Nov 27: CLOSED
Friday Nov 28: 7:00am-6:00pm
Saturday Nov 29 7:00am-12:00pm
In case of emergency, call:
MedVet Hilliard: 614-870-0480
MedVet
OSU
The Doctors and Staff of Suburban Animal Clinic wish everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
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