Austin is welcoming the fall and its cooler temperatures—and the holiday season. Many families excitedly anticipate Thanksgiving, which offers a chance to gather together and eat delicious food until you have to unbutton your pants and nap in the recliner. 

Fall is also a great time to remind pet owners that holidays are prime opportunities for pet mischief. While you’re relaxing after the meal, you may find your pet has found trouble. The Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital team offers dos and don’ts to keep your pets safe and keep the peace this Thanksgiving.

Don’t: Share Thanksgiving foods with your pet

The best part about Thanksgiving—the food—is also the most dangerous aspect for pets because of the risks from ingesting holiday foods, which include:

  • Toxicity — Chocolate, xylitol, raisins, onions, and garlic are the most common offenders present in many holiday foods. Effects range from mild stomach upset to anemia, seizures, kidney failure, coma, or death, depending on the toxin and the amount consumed.
  • Pancreatitis — A sudden fatty food influx can shock your pet’s digestive system and cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas that often requires hospitalization and can be life-threatening. 
  • Intestinal perforation or obstruction — Cooked bones seem like great treats, but they can splinter easily, leaving sharp edges that could get stuck in or perforate your pet’s intestinal tract.

Set ground rules with guests so they do not intentionally share food or keep pets out of the kitchen and dining area entirely with baby gates or a crate. If your pet ingests a toxic food or you suspect they have, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline for assistance, and then head to a local veterinary emergency facility.

Do: Create a safe feast exclusively for your pet

Rather than sharing your meal, create a similar feast for your pet. Plain, skinless, white meat turkey and steamed vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes, cooked without any butter, oil, or spices make a hearty, safe meal for your pet, so they can feel included in the festivities. For picky cats, try tuna. You can also offer them a home-baked oat or peanut butter-based treat for dessert.

Don’t: Underestimate your pet’s nose

Trash from the meal, including turkey bones, trimmings, skin, and packaging materials, is irresistible to most pets who, given the chance, will dive into an unattended trash bin, setting the stage for “garbage gut” or gastroenteritis. Packaging materials can also obstruct the intestine. Don’t underestimate the power of your pet’s nose! Seek veterinary care if your pet begins vomiting or has diarrhea after eating something they shouldn’t.

Do: Dispose of trash immediately after the meal

To prevent a trash-related incident, immediately dispose of scraps and keep leftovers on the countertop or table edges out of lanky pets’ reach. Once everything is in the trash bins, immediately remove them to their outdoor storage areas, preferably behind a closed or locked door. 

Don’t: Wait until the last minute to solidify travel plans

Boarding facilities and pet sitters fill up quickly for major holidays like Thanksgiving, so make your reservations well in advance if you plan to travel. Ensure you update your pet’s vaccines several weeks before traveling to prevent unexpected surprises at drop-off. If you’re traveling with your pet, especially by air, you may need a health certificate. Our veterinarian must examine your pet to ensure their good health and provide the certificate within 10 days of your departure.

Do: Ensure your pet is equipped with identification

If you’re hosting the celebration this year, your pet can easily become lost as guests come and go from the house. Ensure they have a collar with up-to-date identification tags, and consider a microchip. The microchip, which is implanted close under your pet’s skin, provides permanent identification if the collar falls off or breaks, and a special scanner links the chip to your contact information. Should your lost pet be turned into a veterinary hospital, animal shelter, or police station, you can be reunited quickly.

Enjoy a harmonious, relaxing Thanksgiving this year by following our Star of Texas Veterinary Hospital team’s dos and don’ts for pet safety. Pets who ingest toxic food items or develop stomach upset after too much indulgence should visit our hospital or a local veterinary emergency facility without delay. For pre-travel health exams, health certificates, and microchipping services, call us to schedule a visit.