6 Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Dogs

Thanksgiving is a fun time for family and friends. In all of the hustle and bustle of cooking and visiting, don’t forget to keep your pet safe. This Thanksgiving, enjoy the food and family, but use these tips to keep your dog safe at the same time.







1. Say no to chocolate!
Chocolate is toxic for dogs. Don’t leave any out on the counter or tables even milk chocolate can prove fatal to large and small dog alike if they get into too much. Don’t chance it. If you made a chocolate dessert for the holidays keep it up high until it is time to serve and even then make sure it is never left unattended. If you are using bakers chocolate or cocoa powder in a recipe it is best to keep your dog out of the kitchen until you have finished the recipe and the area including the floor has been cleaned. No sense risking it. If your dog does get into chocolate turn to petMd’s Chocolate Toxicity Meter to know how to handle the situation.

2. Say no to Cooked Turkey Bones and Skin!
When feeding your dog turkey, be sure to remove and properly dispose of all cooked bones. Skin should also be removed as your dog does not need the excess fat which could lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is not something you will want to be dealing with when you have family and friends over or through the busy holiday season.

3. Say No to Raw Dough!
This is one of the few times a year that many families make their own bread and rolls to go along with their Turkey Feast. Raw Dough can lead to severe issues for your dog and a trip to the emergency vet. Either keep your dog out of the kitchen if they are able to counter surf or allow the dough to rise in the oven instead of the kitchen counter. According to the Pet Poison Help Line once the raw dough is ingested by your dog the dough will begin to rise in their stomach! This can lead to bloat which as many giant dog breed owners know can quickly lead to the stomach flipping on itself. Bloat is never something to wait and see with. It requires emergency help at the vet.

4. Say no to used Aluminum Foil, Wax Paper, and Plastic Wrap!
Aluminum Foil covered in Turkey Drippings, Plastic Wrap from Grandpa’s famous Mashed Potatoes, Wax Paper from Great Grandma’s traditional Jelly Roll are all very tempting to your dog. Any used wrapping should either be stored in the refrigerator during the meal so that you can use it to put away the leftovers or through out in the garbage and the garbage bag taken immediately to the garbage can and sealed tight. You do not want to have to make a trip for emergency surgery to remove any of these items from your dog’s digestive tract!

If you live in the mountains or rural area you will need to keep your garbage can in your garage so that wild animals are not tempted to get into it.

5. Say No to Food Directly Out of the Oven!
While warm treat on a cold day is a great treat for your dog anything right out of the oven is just too hot for your dog and should never be offered! Food directly out of the oven can burn your dog’s mouth. If hot food falls on your dog it could burn their skin. Make sure they are out of the way when the food comes out of the oven and out of your way as you carry hot food to the table. Accidents happen all of the time and food spills but don’t let it spill on your dog. Use gates to keep them out of the kitchen or leave them in their crate while taking food out o the oven or transferring it to the table.

6. Say No to Overindulgence!
Even foods that are healthy and safe for your dog can cause stomach upset or worse if you allow your dog to overindulge. Make a general announcement to your guests not to feed the dog from the dinner table or offer treats without your knowledge. Take a look at our list of 5 Dog Safe Thanksgiving Foods you can offer your pet and leave some of them in a special bowl that your guests can take from to offer your dog. This way you know exactly how much was in the bowl and how much your dog has been given. Most people that want to offer your dog a treat will be very understanding with this rule.

Thanksgiving is a time for fun and family and enjoying time spent together over a meal. You don’t need to leave your canine family member out of the festitivies if you plan ahead to keep them safe.