The Wisconsin Humane Society Offers Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe this Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the Wisconsin Humane Society is offering up some safety tips for pet owners to consider during the holiday.

The first tip is to try limiting the holiday snacking. Thanksgiving of course means lots of delicious food and leftovers, but a sudden change in diet can cause digestive issues and certain foods can be toxic to animals. So, it is best to keep human food away from our pets. But if you cannot resist, make sure to follow these important guidelines:

• Stick to safe treats. A few small pieces of boneless cooked turkey, a spoonful of mashed potatoes, or even a lick of pumpkin pie should not pose a problem for most dogs. However, do not allow your pets to overindulge, as they could easily get sick.

• Do not offer your pet raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
• Never give your pet a turkey bone to chew on. Turkey bones can splinter and break apart. They can cause choking or severe damage to internal organs.
• Avoid giving your pet foods with herbs. Many seasonings like sage can contain oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal issues and central nervous system damage to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.
• Do not give your pet raw bread dough. When dough is ingested, it can rise in the stomach, causing bloat, vomiting, and severe abdominal pain. This can even become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.

If you plan to have a large gathering, make sure you give your pet a quiet place to relax. For some animals, all the visitors in their home can become overwhelming. By allowing your pet a comfortable place away from all the hustle and bustle, they can decompress and take their own post-meal nap.

It is also a good idea to get your animal microchipped. With so many people coming and going, it is easy for your animal to get out unnoticed. Microchipping is an easy way to help reunite you and your animal in case the worst happens and WHS offers microchipping for just $25 at their public vaccine clinics.