As you quietly sit and enjoy your juicy Thanksgiving turkey with the traditional sides, you feel two small paws on your lower leg. Peering down, you see your family dog giving you those famous sad puppy eyes, and unable to resist, you pass the pup a few scraps under the table while everyone else is engaged in Uncle Joe’s annual Thanksgiving story.
While many table scraps are OK to give to dogs, some foods should be avoided to ensure the safety of your pet, says the ASPCA. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind this Thanksgiving.
Do: Turkey
Make sure to only feed your dog a small bite of turkey that is both boneless and well cooked. Do not allow your dog to eat raw or undercooked turkey, however, as it could contain salmonella bacteria. Avoid giving your pet the leftover carcass, too, as the bones could prove problematic for the digestive tract, especially if they splinter, which could cause serious issues, including internal bleeding!
Don’t: Bread Dough
When dogs ingest raw bread dough, the yeast continues to convert the sugars in the dough to carbon dioxide gas and alcohol, which can result in bloated or drunken pets that require hospitalization. So, skip the bread dough this year; your furry friend will thank you later.
Don’t: Desserts
Planning to make your famous Thanksgiving desserts? Keep your pet away from the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs. Eggs – like many forms of poultry meat, including the turkey we mentioned above – could contain salmonella bacteria that could give your dog food poisoning.
Do: Offer Them Their Own Meal
Distract your dog with his or her own meal this holiday season. Give your pet chew bones or add some turkey, vegetables – sweet potato or green beans are best – and a few dribbles of gravy to their usual dinner.
Practice these food safety tips this season, and both you and your four-legged friend will have a great Thanksgiving! No pup at your home yet, but you’re thinking of adding a beautiful Labrador retriever to your home? Contact Lankas Labs today for more information on our upcoming litters or call us at 785-626-9313 to learn more.
