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Prevent Thanksgiving Problems with your Pets
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Happy Thanksgiving Dog
There are a few hazards that can cause problems during the holidays. Visiting friends and relatives and food are the most common hazards. Some common ingredients in our traditional Thanksgiving Day feast are toxic to our pets. Garlic and onions are members of the allium family and can cause a blood disorder. This, if given in sufficient amounts, can cause hemolytic anemia in which the red blood cells essentially burst. Red blood cells serve a number of purposes, but perhaps most importantly, transfer oxygen throughout the body to the necessary tissues.
Raisins and grapes are also little known pet toxins; these seemingly harmless treats have been linked to kidney failure.
Also, Theobromine, the active ingredient in chocolate, can cause heart complications. Chocolate, when given to dogs, can cause serious heart abnormalities. The more rich the chocolate, the more dangerous it is to your pet. Dark chocolate is worse than milk chocolate, and baker's chocolate can be very serious and a potentially lethal problem for dogs.
Many of us buy dog bones for our dogs at the pet store, so it is not too far of a leap to assume that the bones from a turkey carcass or a roast are also safe to give to your dog. However, the danger with bones from your turkey carcass or roast is that they could fracture into pieces and cause an obstruction or tear your pet's gastrointestinal tract.
Visiting friends and relatives need to also know not to feed the pets. Some people will try to sneak food to a pet because your dog is sitting under the table or your cat is rubbing on their legs. Put your pet in a closed room while you eat and let others know that they are not to give your pet any other foods.
A neighbor of mine recently asked if I had seen her indoor only cat. She had visitors over the weekend and they somehow let her outside. Now, she hasn't seen her cat for four days...and it's getting cold outside. Put a easy to read and see note on all doors opening to the outside that let your visitors know your cat, or dog cannot go outside without supervision, or at all.
If you think ahead, your holiday can go by smoothly without any pet illness-or having to spend the day canvassing the neighborhood looking for your lost pet.
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