Having the Best Thanksgiving Feast for All the Family

Thanksgiving is growing near and with that comes planning. Plans and grocery lists shall be in the works soon. It is time to take into consideration the four-legged member(s) of the family, for THEY SHALL NOT FEAST FROM YOUR TABLE! 

​They shall have a feast of their own that you have made or 'made' for them, in their very own food bowl! So, what are your options?

Buy a can of dog food with ‘Thanksgiving Day Feast’ on it, possibly. Or you could arrange a special feast made specifically for them, and they would be incredibly appreciative!!!
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IMAGE COURTESY OF PETSMART

Speak with your vet first about portions appropriate for your dog. A little goes a long way.  Too much can cause gastrointestinal issues and other health problems. There are recipes for dog-friendly stuffing, cookies, etc., and you can be as elaborate as you want, just be sure to run it through your vet! 

​Here is a brief overview of what they can have:

• Plain turkey (no seasoning, no skin) with fresh or frozen (fun!)
• Green Beans, fresh
• Peas,  fresh
• Carrots, fresh 
• Blueberries, fresh
• Raspberries, fresh
• Apple Slices, fresh

The rule here is to keep it fresh or frozen with no seasonings.

We touched base about gastrointestinal issues, but it is more than mere tummy issues. Pancreatitis is an awful stomachache. It is so bad that it requires a vet’s attention and it is the reason.

DID YOU KNOW? Thanksgiving Day and the day afterward are the busiest days of the YEAR for emergency veterinarian clinics.

It's easy to forget our pets have a very different digestive system than we do, especially when we sit down to the table to celebrate. During the holidays you can avoid going to or having to find an ER clinic, the long wait, and the Thank-you tab they give you before you can leave (the bill) by eliminating the table food. 

What is so wrong with table food you might ask: Two words: Poison & Problems. 

• Allium Family (onions, garlic, scallions, leeks, and chives).
• Grapes of any sort.
• Fats such as oil and butter.
• Turkey skins and bones.
• Sour cream
• Gravy
• Turkey drippings
• Cocoa
• Corn cobs
• Dressing or stuffing
• Pies​
• Green bean casserole
• Potatoes with toppings​
• Marshmallows​

• ​Carrots with glaze 
  
• Pork (yes, ham)
• Yeast dough
• Milk
• Citrus
• Avocado
• Nuts especially Macadamia nuts and almonds 
• Spices: nutmeg, mace, bay leaves, cloves, chives, garlic salt or powder, onion, onion powder, vanilla, chili powder, curry powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, flaxseed, pumpkin spice, and allspice.
• Anything Sugar free, Xylitol is poisonous!

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If there is any considered error here it is on the side of caution. Don’t forget the turkey bones or the carcass (splinters) and the cooking bag can be dragged from the garbage can. Store carefully. Lastly, a sugar substitute found in over 700 products humans consume from gum to toothpaste and peanut butter is Xylitol. It is deadly for our pets and quick-acting. Faster than many other poisons with less recourse. ​

If your pet is displaying out of the norm behaviors after they may have gotten a hold of people food call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435, there may there may be a fee.

REFERENCES:
“Merrick® Grain Free Adult Wet Dog Food - 12.7 Oz., Gluten Free, Grain Free.” PetSmart, www.petsmart.com/dog/food/canned-food/merrick-grain-free-adult-wet-dog-food---12.7-oz.-gluten-free-grain-free-5287727.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=CjwKCAjwx_eiBhBGEiwA15gLN_C_TdsKp9WRngXZEqRxluCIdWgG7bTd7lbBCk2dTbnoRHIgofBEWhoCSfQQAvD_BwE. ​​

Happy Thanksgiving from Our 2 Cute Havanese Families to Yours