Thanksgiving Pet Safety: Keeping Your Pets Safe Around Holiday Foods and Gatherings

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate everything we're thankful for—including our pets! Between tempting holiday dishes and a house full of guests, Thanksgiving can introduce unexpected hazards for our furry family members. At Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County (EAHCC), we want to help you keep your pets safe throughout the holiday. Here are a few simple precautions to keep in mind as you prepare for Thanksgiving. 

Keep Thanksgiving Foods Out of Reach 

Sharing a holiday meal with your pet may seem harmless, but many traditional Thanksgiving foods contain ingredients that can cause serious health problems for dogs and cats. Some foods to watch out for include: 

• Stuffing: Often contains onions and garlic, which are toxic to both dogs and cats. 

• Ham and Pork: Fatty meats can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis. 

• Turkey Skin and Seasonings: While small amounts of plain, fully cooked turkey meat may be safe, fatty skin and seasonings can cause digestive problems. 

• Turkey Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, internal injuries, or intestinal blockages. 

• Mashed Potatoes: Butter, milk, and other added ingredients can upset your pet's stomach. Garlic and onions are particularly dangerous. 

• Grapes and Raisins: Found in some salads, side dishes, and desserts, these can cause kidney failure in dogs. 

• Chocolate Desserts: Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats and should always be kept out of reach. 

Pet Safety Tip: Keep food scraps, leftovers, and trash securely stored. Curious pets may be tempted to investigate the kitchen or garbage after the Thanksgiving meal. 

Help Your Pets Feel Comfortable Around Guests 

A busy household can be overwhelming for pets, especially when unfamiliar visitors, loud conversations, and frequent activity disrupt their normal routines. Help your pets feel safe and comfortable by: 

• Providing a quiet retreat: Give your pet a calm space with their favorite bed, toys, and fresh water when they need a break. 

• Watching open doors: With guests coming and going, make sure pets are secured to prevent accidental escapes. 

• Checking identification: Ensure your pet's collar tags and microchip contact information are up to date. 

• Recognizing signs of stress: Watch for pacing, hiding, excessive panting, or other unusual behaviors that may indicate your pet needs some quiet time. 

A little preparation can go a long way toward making the holiday enjoyable for everyone in your home. 

Know When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care 

Even with precautions in place, accidents can happen. If your pet consumes a potentially toxic food, contact a veterinarian immediately rather than waiting for symptoms to develop. Signs that your pet may need emergency veterinary attention include: 

• Repeated vomiting or diarrhea 

• Abdominal pain or bloating 

• Unusual lethargy or weakness 

• Difficulty breathing 

• Choking or suspected ingestion of bones or foreign objects 

If you suspect your pet has eaten something dangerous, do not attempt to induce vomiting unless directed by a veterinary professional. 

Here for Your Pets This Thanksgiving—24/7 

Pet emergencies don't take holidays off, and neither do we! Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County provides emergency veterinary care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—including Thanksgiving and all major holidays. Whether your pet has eaten something harmful or is experiencing an unexpected medical emergency, our veterinary team is ready to help. 

Emergency Animal Hospital of Collin County  10225 Custer Road, Plano, TX 75025 Call: (214) 547-9900

From all of us at EAHCC, we wish you and your furry family members a safe, healthy, and happy Thanksgiving!