Thanksgiving Pet Safety: Keeping Your Pets Happy and Healthy This Holiday
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and delicious food. While we love including our pets in the celebration, the holiday also brings a few hazards that can turn festive fun into an unexpected emergency. Here are important reminders to help keep your pets safe this Thanksgiving—straight from your Belle Isle Animal Hospital team in Sandy Springs and the Chastain Park area of Georgia.
Table Scraps: A Recipe for Tummy Trouble
It’s tempting to treat your pets to a taste from the table, but even foods that are normally safe can cause gastrointestinal upset during the holidays. Pets’ digestive systems aren’t used to rich, seasoned, or unfamiliar foods, and even small amounts can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or discomfort.
When in doubt, stick to your pet’s regular diet.
Beware of Fatty Foods
High-fat foods like turkey skin, fat trimmings, buttery dishes, and gravy can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
Skip sharing anything rich, greasy, or oily.
Turkey Safety Tips
Turkey is a Thanksgiving staple, but it comes with risks for pets:
• Seasoned skin contains oils, herbs, and potentially toxic ingredients.
• Even plain turkey meat can be too fatty for some pets.
• Cooked turkey bones can splinter and cause choking or intestinal damage.
If you want to share turkey, offer a very small piece of unseasoned, skinless, boneless meat only if your pet tolerates it.
Protect the Trash
The scent of Thanksgiving leftovers is irresistible to pets. Bones, packaging strings, aluminum foil, skewers, and spoiled food can lead to choking, blockages, or toxic exposure.
Secure trash in a closed bin or behind a closed door.
Manage Guests and Stress
Holiday gatherings can overwhelm pets—especially shy, anxious, or older animals.
• More people increase stress
• Guests may slip unsafe foods
• Open doors create escape risks
Create a quiet safe zone with your pet’s bed, toys, and water, and use gates or closed doors during busy times.
Decor Dangers
Festive decorations can pose unexpected risks:
• Potpourri can be toxic
• Some flowers/plants can harm pets
• Candles can be knocked over easily
Keep all décor out of reach and never leave candles unattended.
A Safe, Happy Holiday for All
With a little preparation, your pets can enjoy a calm and safe Thanksgiving alongside the rest of your family. If your pet eats something unsafe or shows signs of illness, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately.
From all of us at Belle Isle Animal Hospital in Sandy Springs, we wish you and your furry family members a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.
