Toxic Thanksgiving Foods For Pets & Safety Tips

Keep Your Pets Safe This Thanksgiving!

Pass the PUP-kin pie, it’s almost Thanksgiving! With the holidays just around the corner, the Arizona Humane Society wants to remind pet owners about the dangers of many popular turkey day dishes and other important safety tips so our furry friends can have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving Meal Tips:

• Gobble, Gobble: Many main dishes, such as turkey and ham, often present dangers to our pets because of the butter, garlic and seasonings used during the cooking process. Additionally, the high fat content and bones present dangers such as vomiting, diarrhea, choking hazards and more. It’s best to save the wishbone for two-legged attendees.
• Don’t Forget the Stuffing: This popular side dish should be kept away from pets at all times, especially if onions, raisins/grapes or mushrooms are in the stuffing, as they are extremely toxic to our pets.
• Dough Not Break Bread: Raw dough with yeast in it can cause major bloating, painful gas and other harmful side effects if our furry friends decide they want some carbs this holiday season. If leaving your bread out to rise, ensure it is in a safe space where your pets cannot get to it.
• Pets are Sweet Enough: While many people struggle to save room for dessert, it’s best that pets stay far away from all sweet treats. This is especially true for chocolate and xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in many goods, which can cause serious illness and even death.
• Miscellaneous: The following should also be kept away from your pets this holiday: alcohol, moldy cheeses, macadamia nuts and marijuana (in any form, including edibles).

Additional Safety Tips:

• Decorate Safely: Keep an eye on holiday decorations, as our pets may become interested in them and decide to chow down on items can cause blockages or internal damage.
• Provide a Safe Space: If your pet is anxious and nervous around new people, or tends to be a flight risk when visitors come and go, set them up with a nice, quiet and secure area with plenty of food, water and toys.
• Prepare for Emergencies: No matter how much we try to avoid them, accidents can still happen. Make sure you know your veterinarian’s holiday hours and the closest emergency animal clinic near you should the need arise.

AHS' 2020 Holiday Hours