Depending on your family, Thanksgiving can be a riotous or a laid-back event. Either way, our cats and dogs usually find a way to get involved. So if they’re in the thick of it with you, here are just a few quick things to think about. 

Does it hurt you? It can hurt them!

Undercooked meat, bones, raw bread dough, cake batter, and too much food are all bad for us. They’re also bad for pets for the same reasons. Salmonella bacteria can be contained in undercooked meat, meat left out of the fridge, and raw eggs of cake batter. Bones have a dozen or more little hazards, most of which result in significant amounts of pain and huge veterinary bills. Raw bread dough can actually rise in your cat or dog’s tummy because of the heat… causing bloating, vomiting, and possibly require surgery.

Weird stuff:

Onion and garlic can be toxic.. especially to cats! Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage. Sage and other essential oils can cause damage, too, again, especially in cats!

So what can they enjoy?

Dogs

• Skinless, boneless turkey
• Kong with pieces of turkey, carrots, and gravy
• Turkey-flavored bones and chews

Cats

• Skinless, boneless turkey
• Puree turkey with veggies like sweet potatoes and carrots

Vegetarian Pocket Pets – Hamsters, Gerbils, Rats

• Raw carrots
• Raw broccoli
• Pumpkin Seeds

Birds, Parrots

• Cooked cranberries
• Cooked sweet potatoes

Keep in mind that the above are for small amounts; they’re special treats for your pet and too much isn’t good for them!

Does your pet have a restricted or special diet? Just give him or her a new toy! They’ll be just as grateful! 😉

Image credit: Micah Baldwin