The holidays are fast approaching, beginning with Thanksgiving tomorrow. Whether you're traveling, having company over, or just having a quiet dinner at home, don't forget about your furry friends.
Your pets will be happiest and safest away from the crowd. If you travel with your pets or have company over, you should keep your pets separate from the guests and the food. Close off a room just for them (use DAP (Adaptil) or Feliway calming pheromones in the room, especially with cats). Most cats do not like a lot of commotion and are happier in a quiet room away from the crowd. While many dogs enjoy visiting with people, they are safer in a quiet room.
Keeping your pets in a quiet room during holiday gatherings and dinners is safer for several reasons:
- They cannot slip out the door unnoticed
- They cannot get overly anxious and hurt a guest by accident
- Guests cannot slip them bits of table scraps without your knowing about it
- Pets cannot get into the holiday food
It's common around the holidays for pets to accidently slip out the door as people go in and out. It's also common for pets to be offered table scraps, find food dropped on the floor, or to help themselves at the table when nobody's looking. Pets should never be offered table food as it could cause them to become ill. Stomach upset, vomiting/diarrhea, and pancreatitis are all common when pets eat any kind or any amount of table food.
Pets should also never be given turkey or ham bones. These can splinter and cause damage to the esophagus, stomach or intestines. They can also get stuck and cause a blockage, which becomes an emergency and requires surgery.
Be aware of where your pets are and what they are eating. If you want to give your pet a special holiday treat (unless your pet is on a strict diet for medical reasons) you may offer an extra puppy or kitty treat, or maybe even a little wet food with their meal. The best treat you can give them is not feeding them table scraps so nobody ends up at the emergency vet during the holiday!