Pets on Thanksgiving: Be Careful What You Let Them Eat at the Table | Entertainment / Life

As we spend Thanksgiving Day with family and friends and enjoy the great food and company, remember that the four-legged family members will be attentive to the delicious food, too. It is important to know which foods can be shared safely and which should be kept out of reach.

If pets are fed human food, make sure they only get small amounts of animal-safe options. If in doubt about a particular food, avoid it to be sure. No one wants an emergency vet visit on vacation.

Here are some safe options for pets to enjoy in small portions:

• Fresh and canned pumpkin: Puppies love pumpkin, and it’s a good source of fiber and vitamin A.
• Turkey: white meat is the safest for pets; remove any excess skin or fat and make sure there are no bones or heavy seasoning.
• Mashed Potatoes: Plain potatoes only, no cheese, no sour cream, no butter, no onions or sauce, as they are not good for pets and can irritate their stomachs.
• Sweet Potatoes: Cooked, cubed or mashed, without butter or seasoning.
• Green beans: Fresh or canned “no salt added” type. Be sure to rinse canned green beans before feeding them to animals.
• Carrots: raw or cooked
• Squash and zucchini
• Lettuce and spinach
• Blueberries and strawberries
• Apples: Without seeds or pit. Apple seeds contain chemicals that are toxic to animals. Avoid sharing the apple pie, however.

On the other hand, multiple foods are never a good idea to feed pets, regardless of their small portion. Here are some foods that can be harmful:

• Bones: chicken bones, turkey bones, etc. Cooked bones become dry and brittle and can easily crack and break in a pet’s mouth, leading to painful cuts to the mouth and gums, choking, internal injuries, perforated organs, and even death. .
• Garlic, Onions, Leeks, and Shallots: All have chemical properties that can be toxic to dogs and cats.
• Mushrooms: Wild mushrooms in particular
• Chocolate: Ingesting even a small amount can be dangerous for pets, especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate.
• Avocados: The leaves, fruits, seeds and rind of avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, and more serious signs in other animals such as birds, horses and rodents.
• Stone fruits: In some cases, the stone can be poisonous and present a choking hazard.
• Nuts: Especially macadamia nuts, which are toxic to pets.
• Xylitol: Anything made with this artificial sweetener is prohibited for pets.
• Grapes and Raisins: Contains chemicals that are toxic to dogs.
• No alcohol of any kind, baked in anything (fruit cake, etc.)
• Tomatoes: Although not poisonous, tomatoes can cause an upset stomach because they are notoriously acidic.

GIVE BACK: In the spirit of giving, please consider volunteering or donating to an area animal shelter or rescue this holiday season. Many organizations have wish lists on their websites for necessary donations such as food, treats, toys, supplies, beds, and more.

In addition, many volunteers travel or return home for vacations, and shelters and rescues rely on volunteers to care for the animals on a daily basis. What could be better than waiting to get out of that Thanksgiving feast than with a furry friend who sure would love to have some attention while on vacation.

I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!

Events

NOV. 28: The fourth annual NOLA to the rescue 5K dog race, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Lafrenière Park, 3000, boul. Downs, Métairie. Run or walk 5 km at your own pace; Profits will go to Animal Rescue New Orleans, Looziana Basset Rescue, Take Paws, Trampled Rose Rescue and Zeus’ Rescues. Adoptable dogs will be on site. For more information and to register, visit nolagirl.org/events

Traci D. Howerton is the Volunteer Coordinator for Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO), a non-profit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter. For topic suggestions, email [email protected] or for more information on ARNO, visit www.animalrescueneworleans.org.