It's hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is already just around the corner! Here at Lakeshore Road Animal Hospital, we would like to provide you with some helpful information in order to keep this joyous holiday as safe and fun for your fur babies as it is for you!

Food Tips

While your Thanksgiving meal may be filled with wonderful things that make your belly happy, these very things may not be safe for your pets. Ingesting the rich foods involved in the Thanksgiving festivities can cause some serious health problems for your cat or dog;

Without a doubt, Thanksgiving meals may contain a number of fatty foods, and though these things may be delicious to us, they are very difficult for animals to digest. Fatty foods, even in a small amount, can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and can also put your pet at risk for pancreatitis, so it is best to keep that turkey and turkey skin to yourself! That being said, it is also important to put trash where your pets cannot find it. Leftover turkey bones can be very appealing to your pets, but they can cause damage their digestive tract. When bones are ingested, they can get caught in your pets mouth or esophagus and cause choking. As well, they can cause serious punctures in the digestive tract that can lead to peritonitis. The ingredients found within other various Thanksgiving foods may also be poisonous to pets, including but not limited to chocolate, raisins, grapes, dried fruits, onions, garlic, and alcohol.

All in all, though it may be difficult to ignore those sweet, pleading eyes begging for a taste of your meal, it is best to keep the Thanksgiving feast out of their reach. Set up ground rules for guests as well so they know not to sneak any table scraps to your pet. If you want your pet to feel included in the Thanksgiving feast, ensure to share a treat that is made just for them!

Party Tips 

If you are hosting a large party this holiday season, it is important to remember that your fur babies may also become stressed just like you! Thanksgiving often means having many visitors at once and an increase in activity/noise level in the house. Try to stick to your pets normal schedule/routine as best as you can. If your cat or dog becomes nervous when people visit your home, ensure to provide them with a quiet spot away from the flow of the party (with food, water, and their favourite toys!)

As guests will be arriving, stepping out, and leaving, it is also important to watch the exits, and ensure your pet has proper identification tags and up to date microchip information in case they ever do get loose.

Additionally, be sure to watch your pets around special holiday displays or candles.

As always, if you have any further questions regarding pet safety during the holidays, please do not hesitate to contact us - we are always here to help!

On behalf of all of us here at Lakeshore Road Animal Hospital, we would like to wish you all 

a wonderful, safe, and well-rested Thanksgiving!