Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Menu
  • Home
  • Pet Portal
  • Our Services
    • Dogs / Cats
    • Exotics
    • Bovine
    • Equine
    • Farm Animals
  • Meet Our Staff
  • New Patient Center
    • Forms
    • Gallery
    • What to Expect
    • Veterinary Resources
    • Online Pharmacy
    • Payment Options
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
    • Videos & Radio
  • Emergencies
Round dog and cat logo

Countryside Veterinary Service

Cement City, MI

Online Pharmacy
Round dog and cat logo

Countryside Veterinary Service

Cement City, MI

  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

  • Created in Newsletter Library

Dog staring at Thanksgiving turkey

Thanksgiving Day Safety Tips for Your Pet

Thanksgiving Day may be one of your favorite holidays, but Turkey Day can be dangerous for your pets. Following a few of these tips will help you ensure that your furry friends don't suffer a Thanksgiving emergency.

Limit Special Treats

It's best to stick to your pet's usual diet on Thanksgiving. Although a tiny taste of cooked turkey probably won't bother your pet, eating some traditional Thanksgiving foods may make your pet sick. Stuffing and other foods that contain onions or garlic can cause anemia in cats and dogs, while grapes and raisins may cause kidney failure. Even powdered onions or garlic can pose a problem.

Mashed potatoes may also cause a problem. The milk or sour cream used to make the dish could trigger a bout of messy, uncomfortable diarrhea for your lactose intolerant pet.

Don't turn your back on your raw turkey while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner. In just a few seconds, your dog or cat can jump up on the counter and take a bite or lick of the bird.

Eating or licking raw meat increases your pet's risk of developing salmonella or bacterial infections. Turkey skin, whether cooked or uncooked, can also sicken your pet. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that eating fatty turkey skin can cause life-threatening pancreatitis.

Don't let your pet gnaw on turkey bones either. The bones can become stuck in your pet's throat and may splinter easily, causing painful cuts.

Other foods to avoid include:

  • Chocolate
  • Yeast
  • Scallions
  • Foods that contain the sweetener xylitol
  • Raw eggs

Prepare a Sanctuary for Your Pet

Some pets love everyone, others become a little anxious or fearful around strangers or groups of people. If your pet doesn't like large, loud gatherings, it may be happier spending the day away from the Thanksgiving festivities.

Before the guests arrive, place food, water (and a litter box if you have a cat) in a quiet room and close the door. Stop by the room periodically to check on your pet.

Make Sure Your Dog or Cat Wears an Identification Tag

While you're busy saying goodbye to your guests, your pet may decide it's the perfect time to dash outside. An ID tag attached to your pet's collar will increase the likelihood that your dog or cat will be reunited with you if it becomes lost. The tag should include the pet's name, and your name, address, and telephone number.

ID tags are important even if your pet has been microchipped. Although veterinary offices and shelters usually have microchip scanners, your neighbors won't be able to locate or read the chips.

Take Out the Trash

Even a normally well-behaved pet may be unable to resist temptation when the trash can is unattended. After all, the trash can contains all of the Thanksgiving foods that are usually off-limits to your pet. Food isn't the thing you need to worry about in the trash. String used to truss the turkey can wrap around your pet's intestines if swallowed, requiring emergency surgery.

Use Restraints When Traveling

Unrestrained pets may be at risk for serious injuries if an accident happens when you're driving to Grandma's house. Loose pets may also interfere with your concentration and force you to take your eyes off the road. Restrain your pet with a harness attached to a seat belt, or secure your pet's carrier firmly in place with the seat belt. Exploding airbags can injure or be fatal for your pet. For safety's sake, place your pets in the back seat.

Don't let pets stick their heads out the windows. They may hit their heads on posts or other obstacles or experience eye injuries from airborne particles and debris.

Put Decorations Out of Reach

It's only natural for pets to be interested in the decorations that suddenly appear around Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, an inquisitive cat can knock over a lit candle, or a curious dog can eat non-edible parts of decorations quicker than you can say "leave it".

Place decorations in high places that aren't accessible to your pet, and remove centerpieces as soon as your meal is over.

Whether your dog eats something it shouldn't during the holidays or your cat or small animal needs a checkup, we're here to help you care for your pets. Call our office if you have a question or want to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

The Humane Society of the United States: Travel safely with your pet by car, airplane, ship or train

American Veterinary Medical Association: Thanksgiving Pet Safety

ASPCA: Thanksgiving Safety Tips

Our Location

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours - Household Pets

Monday:

7:30 am-8:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-8:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:30 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Office Hours - Farm Animals & Equine

Monday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

    Preventing Obesity in Cats

    Even one extra pound could affect your pet's health. Find out how you can keep your cat slim and trim. ...

    Read More

    Pet Dental Care - Tips to Manage Your Pet’s Oral Health

    Do you know how to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy? ...

    Read More

    Learn How to Master Walking Your Dog for Walk Your Pet Month

    Does your dog need a little help walking on a leash? ...

    Read More

    Bringing a New Pet in the Home in the New Year

    Are you planning on adding a pet to your family this year? These tips will help you prepare for the arrival of your furry, feathered, or finned friend. ...

    Read More

    Cold Symptoms in Dogs

    Could your sneezing, sniffling dog have a cold? ...

    Read More

    Cold Weather Pet Safety

    Do you know how to keep your pet safe this winter? ...

    Read More

    Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays

    Keep Thanksgiving day safe for your pet by following these tips. ...

    Read More

    November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month

    Do you know the symptoms that can occur if your pet has cancer? ...

    Read More

    How to Treat Common Injuries in Your Dog

    Would you know what to do if your dog was injured? ...

    Read More

    Safety Guidelines for Pet Costumes

    Do you know how to keep your pet safe when wearing a costume? ...

    Read More

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up For More Articles

Testimonial

Testimonials

  • "Wonderful experience. Everyone was very friendly, staff was very knowledgeable and clearly love what they do! They treated my Gus as if he was their own. Thank you!"
    Abi E.
  • "I love you guys, and your caring ways. It's obvious everyone there truly cares about the animals."
    Shirley E.
  • "The staff is extremely friendly"
    Elizabeth D.
  • "Dr. Lane is amazing as always. She always takes the time needed and shows she cares."
    Mary M
  • "We are very pleased. Our vet is awesome."
    Maribeth K.
  • "The countryside is the absolute best vet office around."
    Nick L.
  • "Amazing office. We will never go anywhere else. I love each and everyone at the office. I always feel comfortable coming there. I can truly tell how much they love animals. Keep up the awesome work."
    Bob E.
  • "I very much appreciate the personal time spent with the dogs during the visits. Very thorough and makes the client feel like family."
    Lynnzie W.
  • "You guys are awesome. I wouldn't trust my pet with anyone else."
    Gwen D.
  • "My pet was comfortable and calm during the visit."
    Kathy S.
  • "Very helpful and friendly. We enjoy bringing our fur babies because we know they will be well taken care of."
    Tina A.
  • "I love the staff and the doctors are amazing. Keep doing what you are doing. Dr. Wintz treats our pets as if they were her own and she gives good, honest advice for their care."
    Laura L.
  • "They took great care of my leader dog momma for her ultrasound. The staff was great."
    Lora G.
  • "This business is the third vet service that I have used and I will stay with them even though there are four that are closer drives."
    Kenneth B.
  • "All the staff members are very professional and caring. Wonderful experience. I would recommend to family and friends. Keep up the amazing work."
    Jason W.
  • "Very friendly staff and clean in the waiting room."
    Anonymous
  • "I've been very satisfied with the treatment of all our pets since we started coming here. Keep up the good work."
    Mary M.
  • "The staff was super friendly and I loved how great they and the vet were with my new puppy. All I can say is keep up the wonderful job. I highly recommend you guys to everyone I talk to. They answered all my questions and even made sure I understood."
    Linda R.
  • "The exam room was outside because my dog refused to enter the building but the staff was very accommodating and helpful."
    Doug H.
  • "I am so pleased to have my lab being taken care of by the staff. They are all so friendly and always take the time to explain what is going on and always take the time for any questions I might have."
    Daniel M.
  • "You guys are awesome! Very polite, informative and helpful."
    Joshua W.
  • "Beautiful and clean! I was so happy with the staff. Pudge was very content with the staff and they were so sweet to him!"
    Amanda B.
  • "The staff is great. They did everything in their power to save a critically ill kitten I found. Very kind and talented people."
    Valerie G.
  • "This is an amazing vet office. I've always felt well respected here. The office inside and out is very clean. Everyone here is nice, not pushy or condescending. Thank you for being a reliable and comfortable place for our family to turn to."
    Amanda C.
  • "Everything is top-notch. We always feel welcome. We are very happy with the care our dog gets. We have recommended three friends to this clinic because we love it here so much."
    Sherri D.