Many pet parents and guests want to share the Thanksgiving excitement with their pets. I mean, they are family after all and being thankful for them is huge on everyone's list. That can be a problem though because sometimes things on the table and home contain ingredients that are harmful to them. So before they GOBBLE anything up that can hurt them- make some ground rules and #SQUASHgoals.

Dog House Rules

Both dogs and cats can become shy, nervous, or overly excited when you have a full house, especially if they have never met your guests before. If your pal seems anxious, try:

• Make a quiet room away from the action with a favorite toys, water and meal.
• Set up baby gates to keep pets from the front door when guests come and go (as well as prevent the chaos of a jumping or barking dog at the door)
• Put a leash on them and assign someone Pup Duty to prevent any door dashing
• Keep your cat in a separate room-door closed so they don’t escape into the great outdoors.
• Consider getting your pet microchipped. Pets getting lost are the most common during the holiday excitement. Smaller then a grain of rice it has a unique code and when a special scanner can be read. This code is on a database that is connected to your name, address and phone number to get your favorite furry turkey back home. This takes just a few minutes at a Veterinary Appointment or Microchip Clinic.
•  Have guests hang their bags on hooks or behind a closed door. Along with houseguests comes everything they carry with them- like personal bags. Things like sugar-free xylitol ( birch sugar) gum, candy bars, and human medication can really MARSH your MELLOW.

Don't FUR-get the Florals! 

 To create that perfect ambiance for the fall, some popular plants are often found in festive decorations that can be toxic.

Be sure to avoid using:

• Autumn crocus
• Lilies
• Chrysanthemum
• Acorns from oak trees

If you suspect your dog or cat has consumed a poisonous plant or substance, act fast. Contact your Veterinarian, an emergency veterinary clinic, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA APCC)*  or Pet Poison Helpline* right away.

*fees will be incurred.

BONE Appetite!

When your guests arrive, politely ask that they do not feed any food from the dinner table or their plate to your dog. Let them know that you have a safe and healthy meal especially prepared for your pup waiting in the fridge.

Want to provide your pet their own Thanksgiving dinner?
Fill a Kong with some watered-down chicken broth, some unseasoned sweet potatoes, and a dab of 100% pumpkin puree.

Things you can also include on fido’s plate:

Turkey breast- no bones-Every balanced meal includes some protein- remove the skin and avoid any major seasoning.

Carrots – Serve fresh or cooked, and are high in fiber and Vitamin A.

Green Beans –Serve fresh or previously frozen green beans with no seasoning- low in calories.

Apple slices – Remove the seeds and skin and serve the fresh or baked with no seasoning.

Pumpkin – Serve teamed, baked, or canned (not the pie filling type, only 100% pumpkin puree). Great for the tummy!

Big No-No Foods for Pets

The ones that usually find their way to the Thanksgiving dinner table are:

• Alcohol
• Nutmeg
• Chocolate
• Onions and garlic
• Mushrooms
• Raisins
• Cooked bones
• Heavy fats like butter and turkey skin

Amber Van Denzen Suarez is the Founder of Atta Boy! Animal Care, dually certified Professional Pet Sitter, retired Veterinary Nurse of 13 years and hold a Bachelors Degree in Animal Sciences. She lives with her 2 dogs, 9 chickens, 3 fish aquariums, 2 hermit crabs with her human family in Lakeland, Florida.