Holiday Leftovers for Your Pets - Taxi My Pet

 

Holiday Leftovers and Your Pets

Holiday Leftovers for Your Pets

It’s that time again. The time for tons of leftovers, unbuttoned pants, and naps. In our household, it’s a competition to see who can eat the most throughout the whole day before the leftovers are put away. And one family member who is up for the challenge… Fido. As much as we love our dog and want to spoil her rotten, there are a few things we don’t do, and one of them is giving her an overabundance of table food… even for the holidays. Some of my family members try to guilt me about not sharing our food, but the difference between them and us is we have self-control. I know my dog would keep eating if I let her, whereas we start to feel guilty about how much we’ve eaten and stopped before it’s too late. Besides, I don’t want to abuse her, health-wise, by feeding her tons of fatty leftovers even for a day.

Can I Give My Dog has some helpful information when it comes to what you can and can't give your pet, and not just during the holiday season. We don’t want our pets to feel left out during the holidays, but to know what and how much of those holiday goodies to feed them may help keep future health problems from popping up. Here are a few things to consider using good judgment and moderation.

** This information is for those wanting to share holiday leftovers in the most responsible way possible.

Holiday Leftovers

Turkey Meat, Skin, and Bones
Turkey is a holiday food you can give your pet; they are, after all, carnivores. Some will say it’s better than regular dog food. Thanksgiving food isn’t only for people. As for the skin, you probably shouldn’t give it to them. Overeating turkey skin is a recipe for pancreatitis. Large pieces of skin can also be a choking hazard. You shouldn’t let your dog chew on leftover bones either. Cooked poultry bones become very brittle, so this includes chicken bones, as well. Your best bet is to throw the bones out with the garbage and leave the choking hazards well away from your pup.


Avoid Onions
Besides the deliciousness of the main course, there’s a wide variety of other offerings for your dog to enjoy. But be careful with side dishes, some can be harmful to dogs. Things like stuffing are typically prepared with onions, which can be dangerous for your pet. The problem with onions is that they have a toxic property called N-propyl disulfide. When this toxic principle is introduced into your dog's bloodstream, it does damage on a molecular level to red blood cells which can lead to anemia after prolonged exposure.  Mashed potatoes are okay but feeding it to them if you added cheese or sour cream. These couple of dairy products aren't necessarily harmful to dogs except for the high fat content that they contain. If your dog has a propensity to gain weight, then maybe you should avoid the taters.  Gravy can be okay, depending on if it has the aforementioned onions added in with the giblets. Cranberry sauce is a bit too sugary for dogs, so you should keep for yourself. Plain green beans and carrots are delicious and healthy for your pet, and we’d recommend them both.

Every Situation is Different

There’s going to be different Thanksgiving and Christmas leftover dishes for every family, just be mindful of ingredients and your dog’s dietary restrictions. Also, be aware of binge eating. Some animals are prone to bloat, which can be serious and even life-threatening. It’s thought to be caused by overeating and drinking. Keep that in mind when serving your pet holiday leftovers.

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There is nothing wrong with including your family pet during the holidays, we totally encourage it. Using this useful information will have your dog enjoying the holidays safely. Simply put, limit the leftovers you feed them. This can help avoid future begging and health issues. Sharing certain leftovers and table scraps like fruits and vegetables is okay, even some fats, just do it in moderation.

Taxi My Pet wants you and your pets to have a wonderful holiday season. We understand the holidays can be hectic and sometimes you might need a little help. If your pet needs to be somewhere and you an unable to get them there, give us a call and we can help. We can get your pet to their vet appointment or grooming appointment. We offer rides anywhere in the Abilene area. Visit us at www.taximypet.com to learn more and to book their ride.