With Thanksgiving right around the corner, you are probably thinking about how you can include your dog or cat in the festivities. After all, what would your pets love more than chowing down on a festive meal? Before Thanksgiving day gets here, however, it is crucial to get familiar with a number of foods and ingredients that could jeopardize your precious pet's health. At PetNest Animal Hospital, our team doesn’t want animals to suffer from avoidable health problems. That's why our very own Frisco vet made the decision to share some Thanksgiving pet safety guidelines. Please read on to learn more!

Don't Share Foods Containing Onions, Garlic, Etc.

The allium family includes garlic and onions, plus scallions, shallots, leeks, etc. These flavorful ingredients can, unfortunately, lead to anemia or cause liver damage in pets. Since some pets are more sensitive to members of the allium family than others, it is best not to share them with any of your furry friends. 

Don't Treat Your Fur Baby to Fat or Bones

Regardless of how much your furry family member begs, fat drippings and bones aren't suitable snacks. Both cooked and raw bones can get stuck in your pet's digestive tract or throat or cause vomiting, diarrhea, or potentially deadly lacerations in the intestinal tract. Eating excessive amounts of fat can cause pancreatitis, too. When making your four-legged best friend's meal, lean turkey is the safest option. 

Save Dessert for Your Human Guests

Many common dessert ingredients are harmful to cats and dogs. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, and xylitol (a frequently used artificial sweetener) can make pets extremely ill. And let’s face it — ingesting lots of sugar just isn’t healthy for your pet. Protect your companion this Thanksgiving by saving the desserts for your human family members and friends.

Schedule an Appointment with a Frisco Vet

If your beloved pet eats something they shouldn't or gets hurt this holiday season, reach out to a skilled Frisco vet as soon as possible. Now is also an excellent time to schedule a checkup to ensure your furry friend is healthy going into the holiday season. Give us a call today to schedule your pet’s appointment!