Thanksgiving Safety Tips - What Not To Feed Your Dog Or Cat

This Thanksgiving, fight the urge to feed Fido your leftovers.

Your pup may whimper for table scraps but they could cause him serious harm.

"Thanksgiving can be a hazardous holiday for our pets," said Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Our pets simply can't handle fatty foods as well as we can.”

You can feed your dog a bite or two of turkey but make sure it’s well-cooked to avoid choking and salmonella risks, the ASPCA advises. But be careful. Too much fatty turkey skin and gravy can cause pancreatitis, a serious inflammation that can turn a happy Thanksgiving dinner into an emergency run to the vet’s clinic.

Sorry, no stuffing. Herbs, such as sage, contains essential oils that can cause stomach upset and more serious health problems in both dogs and cats. Onions and raisins are also a no-no. Keep dogs and cats away from chocolate, nuts, alcohol and raw bread dough.

Make sure you tie your garbage bags tight to keep hungry paws away. If your leftovers go south, your dog will suffer the consequences of spoiled food: gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms of food poisoning.

No bones, please. Cooked turkey bones are fragile and hollow and can cause serious internal injury to your dog.

It's best to keep your dog on his regular schedule, advises the North Shore Animal League. Walk him and feed him the way you normally would to avoid problems.

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