While we gather around the table giving thanks for our friends and families, our dogs will most likely be waiting under foot for any scraps to be slid their way. According to the ASPCA, some of the foods on your table this year, while delicious, may not be good for your pets. So, before giving into those sad puppy dog eyes, check to make sure the foods you give are pet friendly!


Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine

      Methylxanthines are dangerous substances that are found in cacao seeds! While fine for human consumption, in pets methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Dark chocolate will contain higher concentrations of methylxanthines than milk chocolate, which means that if your dog eats the chocolate you’ll be baking with, the side effects could be much worse than when he ate that Snickers bar out of your purse last week!


Nuts

       First chocolate and now pecan pie?? Nuts like almonds, pecans, and walnuts have lots of oils that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis. Most importantly, NEVER give your pets macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts are especially dangerous because the symptoms, which include weakness, depression, tremors and hyper-freaking-thermia, don’t usually appear until 12 hours after ingestion. The joy your dog will experience munching on macadamia nut cookies is not worth the trip to the veterinarian and the discomfort your pet will experience.


Onions, Garlic, and Chives

         These foods will do more than give your pets bad breath. These foods can cause gastrointestinal irritation and, over time, red blood cell damage. Cats are even more susceptible to these foods than dogs, so paws off!


Grapes and Raisins

       These fruits can cause kidney failure in pets, but don’t worry. They probably didn’t want a piece of fruit cake anyways.


Xylitol

     Xyli-what now? Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that causes insulin release in most pets. First signs of poisoning are loss of coordination, vomiting and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen a few days later. Careful! It can be found in toothpaste, candy, and lots of different baked goods.


       Additional foods to avoid giving your pet include, alcohol, avocado, dairy products, salty foods, citrus and yeast dough. After all that you may be thinking, what can my pet have on thanksgiving? According to the American Kennel Club, the good news is that, when prepared plainly and fully cooked, turkey meat is safe for dogs. Also on the list of things your dog will love this season are apples, eggs, peanut butter, oatmeal, chicken, broccoli, green beans, carrots, salmon, and pumpkin! What dog would turn down any of that? Say thank you to your dog with foods that will keep them happy and healthy. For a full list of foods your dog shouldn’t consume, visit www.aspca.org, and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA poison control center (888) 426-4435 if you think your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t have! 


Happy Thanksgiving!

Woof Y'all,

Cassidy Prewitt