Giving Thanks for Your Furry Friends
SHARED by: JP Connolly, Biscuits and Bath
Turkey dinners, stuffing, cranberries, candied yams, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and everything else that makes up your magnificent meal. It seems, these days, Thanksgiving has become more about feast and football then what George Washington declared, in 1789, a day of thanksgiving. Have we lost what it means to be truly Thankful for what is most important in life?!
Thanksgiving is a time to come together and give thanks for all the blessings in their lives, which is great. It’s husbands and wives, sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, neighbors and friends. And we should never forget about our best friends, our dog.
When celebrating this wonderful day, here are some things you should watch out for:
Turkey Skin – High-fat foods, such as turkey skin & gravy, can be hazardous to your dog. Since the skin is hard to digest, it can lead to pancreatitis (symptoms are vomiting, extreme depression, reluctance to move, and abdominal pain). If a Thanksgiving treat is a must, stick to white meat and only a small portion.
Macadamia Nuts/Walnuts – These can cause a toxic reaction. Within twelve hours of eating the nuts, dogs can start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand, walking wobbly, depression, vomiting, muscle tremors, elevated body temperature, weakness and an elevated heart rate.
Turkey Bones/Strings – Cooked poultry bones are brittle and splinter easily. If ingested, they can lodge in the esophagus or intestinal track or cause stomach or intestinal irritation.
Xylitol – This sweetener is present in products from gum to sugar-free cookies. Even in small amounts, ingestion can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and in some cases be life-threatening.
Grapes/Raisins – These common snacks although healthy for you, can induce permanent and life-threatening kidney failure in some dogs. Though some pets seem to handle eating grapes just fine, it’s safest to avoid grapes and raisins completely.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving while paying attention to the furry friend at your feet!
Biscuits & Bath is a full-serve dog retreat offering everything from doggie daycare to dog walking. Their mission is to work with clients to positively impact the quality of life for each dog that they serve. They have been the leader and innovator in our industry for over 26 years by being relentless about continually raising the standard of excellence for dog care and client service.