Thanksgiving Day is a time of family, love, friends and being thankful, but we all know it’s also a perfect opportunity to stuff ourselves silly with great food and drinks. While it can be easy to just sit back and revel in the merrymaking, it’s always a pet parent’s responsibility to make sure that the only food that his or her dog can eat is healthy and safe for consumption.It can be tempting to sneak them a holiday treat because let’s face it—our canine companions make very convincing begging faces. Your guests might also feel the urge to feed your dog something tasty but dangerous during the meal. Remember to note the following dangerous Thanksgiving food for dogs and let your guests know of these threats too:
During this season, the second most popular “T” word after “Thanksgiving” is definitely “Turkey.” They’re delicious and tasty, but the skin contains a high amount of fat that is very hazardous to a dog’s health. All of the spices, oils, marinade and ingredients used is held in the turkey skin and can be very difficult to digest. Eating foods high in fat often leads to pancreatitis, with symptoms such as lethargy, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Garlic and onions have sulphides that prove toxic to dogs. Consuming it can lead to anemia and the toxicity content isn’t reduced even if you cook them.
When you have macadamia nuts and walnuts on your dinner table, make sure they’re as far away from your furry friend as much as possible. They’re highly toxic and can lead to a reaction called “Macadamia Nut Toxicosis” that strikes within 12 hours of consumption. Dogs will have elevated heart rates, tremors, a fever, weakness and can be unable to stand up. While some symptoms can go away, this might also lead to deadly shock.
Several yummy ingredients go into the best stuffing and gravy, but this can be a toxic minefield for your dogs. If you include onions, garlic, mushrooms, sage, chives, leeks and many other ingredients, don’t attempt to give any of it to your furkid.
Nutmeg is a common ingredient found in pumpkin pie recipes and it’s definitely something to watch out for. While many vets recommend feeding raw pumpkin to dogs, pumpkin pie with nutmeg can be hazardous to their health. Myristicin is a toxin found in nutmeg and when consumed in large amounts, in can lead to seizures and issues with their central nervous system.
