You’ve already got a lot to worry about on Thanksgiving Day — preparing (or enjoying) a labor-intensive meal, navigating complicated family politics, rooting for the correct football team — so why would you want to add a sick or injured Pet to that list? Did you know Pet emergencies go up 20% during the holidays? Here are a few helpful tips from the Pet care experts at Hannah on how to keep your furry friend safe while you give thanks. The dog, we mean, not your weird uncle.

Common Foods You Shouldn’t Feed To Your Dog Under The Table

First and foremost, let’s knock out a list of foods and beverages you should keep away from your Pet. Many of the old staples of doggie danger apply here, but here’s a relatively comprehensive list of items you might run into during a Thanksgiving get-together.

• Onions
• Garlic
• Grapes, and Raisins
• Nuts
• Nutmeg
• Rhubarb
• Bread dough
• Alcohol (please don’t need a blog to tell you this one)
• Chocolate

Chocolate is obviously the major thing to avoid here, as per usual, as 9 in 10 chocolate poisoning victims are dogs.

Remember Those Bones!

Let’s leave “dogs eat bones” in the old cartoons. Bone chewing incidents are the #8 most frequent Pet-related insurance claim. That includes choking and both internal and external lacerations caused by a chewed-up or broken bone’s jagged, pointy edges.

Give Them Their Own Special Treat

Imagine if everyone in the house is eating Thanksgiving dinner but you. Now imagine that anything you try to eat is “bad for you,” and might hurt or kill you. Pretty depressing, right? Help your Pet avoid those feelings by thinking ahead and picking up a special Thanksgiving treat that’s just for them.

If you don’t know what they like but want them to have something fancy (and you live in the Portland metro area), we recommend Bring! Treats For Dogs. They put together two batches of specialty holiday treats for our 2023 Harvest Festival that the Pets adored.

Think About Them While You’re Planning A Party

A lot of our Halloween safety tips can apply here. Consider giving your Pet a safe space while the party is raging. Watch the exits as your guests are coming and going to prevent any accidental escape attempts. Keep an eye on any festive decorations that might cause hazards!

Think about who will be coming to your party, as well. Some guests, well-meaning or otherwise, can upset your Pet accidentally or intentionally by reacting to them in a way your Pet isn’t used to, touching them in a way they don’t want to be touched, etc. Sometimes Pets who are scared growl, snarl, scratch, or bite. Your guests are the last thing you want getting bitten at your Thanksgiving party! Also, limit the amount of time your Pet interacts with any guests who are sick, have been sick recently, or have a compromised immune system for any reason.

If You’re Traveling, Remember That Your Pet Is A Member Of The Family, Not Luggage

Treat your traveling Pet like you might treat a traveling child; never leave them unattended or alone in a vehicle, pack for them ahead of time so they aren’t left too hungry or homesick, and make a quick appointment to see a doctor to make sure they’re in good health. At Hannah, we’re always happy to give you that peace of mind.

While you’re visiting us, make sure to get their health certificate for any traveling across state lines or international travel. The headache you prevent you will be your own!

In Conclusion

We love your Pet. We know you LOVE your Pet, and know how to advocate and make decisions on their behalf. If you find any of these tips helpful, or if they make your Thanksgiving Day safer and less stressful, please reach out and let us know! Have a happy and bountiful Thanksgiving!