Celebrating Thanksgiving with your dogs and cats? Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner, attending one, or traveling to be with loved ones, ensuring your pet’s safety and well-being is important.
As you prepare your Thanksgiving feast, make plans, or book plane tickets, you may be wondering if all the necessary arrangements have been made for your pet. This complete checklist of Thanksgiving pet safety tips by Sploot Vets helps you ensure that all is set for a worry-free and joyful Thanksgiving!
General Holiday Pet Safety for Thanksgiving
The following holiday pet safety tips are useful for all holidays, including Thanksgiving. It’s important to tick off all the following reminders — whether you are hosting, attending a dinner, or traveling for Thanksgiving.
1. Make Plans for Your Pet in Advance
Where will your pet be this Thanksgiving? Will they be at home, attending a Thanksgiving dinner with you, traveling, or in a pet boarding establishment? Perhaps it can be a combination of more than one of these.
Having a plan of where your pet will be through this busy holiday season will allow you to make all the needed arrangements or preparations. Calming treats, pet calming aids, and pet boarding slots may become scarce as Thanksgiving draws near, so it really pays to be prepared.
2. Ensure That Your Pets Have Up-to-Date Vaccines
Are your pet’s vaccinations up to date? Whether your pet is staying at home, traveling, or going to a boarding establishment, updated vaccinations ensure your pet’s safety from common transmissible diseases — as well as the safety of other people (or other pets) that your dog or cat might come in contact with during the holidays.
Note: If you’re considering dog boarding or cat boarding for Thanksgiving, they typically require proof of updated vaccinations before accepting a dog or cat for their boarding services.
Most core vaccines for dogs and cats need to be updated on a yearly basis. Learn more from our complete guides:
- Dog Vaccines: Types, Schedules, & More [Vet-Approved Guide]
- Cat Vaccines: Types, Schedules, & More [Vet-Approved Guide]
3. Get Your Pet Microchipped or Check Their Existing Chip
Unfortunately, pets can escape or wander away from home during Thanksgiving. This can happen while welcoming guests at the door, as the exciting festivities are ongoing, or while traveling.
Microchips help pet parents stay prepared as these devices greatly increase the chances of being reunited with a lost pet. This is why it’s beneficial to get your dog or cat microchipped — or have their existing microchips checked as Thanksgiving approaches.
4. Prepare for Emergencies
Because unforeseen events can happen during busy holidays, having a contact list in case of veterinary emergencies can make a huge difference. Make sure to include at least one urgent care vet clinic that is open during holidays, like Sploot Vets.
Note: Sploot Veterinary Care is an all-in-one vet in Denver and Chicago, providing urgent care and emergency vet services, 365 days a year, for extended vet clinic hours. If you need urgent pet care or emergency vet services this Thanksgiving, give us a call at 720 770 8656!
Thanksgiving Pet Safety for Hosts & Dinner Attendees
Whether you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at your home or attending one with your pet, here are a few ways to ensure Thanksgiving safety for pets:
5. Know the Safe & Unsafe Thanksgiving Food for Pets
With all the delectable dishes on the Thanksgiving table, it may seem challenging at first to determine what is safe and unsafe for sharing with your dog or cat. It may be tempting to share pumpkin pie, gravy-covered turkey bits, stuffing, and so on. However, most of these traditional recipes are NOT healthy for your dog or cat.
a. Unhealthy & Toxic Food for Dogs & Cats
As a general rule, food that is seasoned, high in sugar or fat, and/or containing unsafe ingredients for pets can have negative repercussions for your furry friend. Be mindful of these common toxic & harmful foods and ingredients for dogs and cats:
- Sugary and fatty foods — these foods can lead to gastrointestinal upset (i.e. vomiting, diarrhea); too much fatty food can also trigger acute feline or canine pancreatitis.
- Onions & garlic— These contain thiosulfates, which can damage pets’ red blood cells, leading to anemia and potentially organ damage over time.
- Chocolate — Chocolate has theobromine and caffeine, which overstimulate pets’ systems, causing vomiting, tremors, rapid heartbeat, and in severe cases, seizures or death.
- Xylitol — Often found in sugar-free candies and peanut butter, xylitol triggers a sharp insulin release in dogs, leading to dangerously low blood sugar levels, which can result in seizures, liver failure, and death.
- Grapes & Raisins —Unknown compounds in grapes and raisins can cause acute kidney problems in dogs and cats, with symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and reduced urine output.
- Bones — Cooked bones can splinter, leading to choking or serious injuries to a pet’s digestive tract, potentially requiring emergency vet services.
- Caffeine & alcohol — Caffeine overstimulates the nervous system, and alcohol depresses it; both can cause symptoms ranging from disorientation and tremors to coma and death.
- Marijuana — THC in marijuana is toxic to pets, causing disorientation, low blood pressure, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or fatal respiratory issues.
- Raw bread dough - Sploot’s veterinarian, Dr. Ashley Yao explains: “Ingesting raw bread dough can lead to alcohol poisoning and bloating in pets. The uncooked yeast and carbohydrates in the raw dough can ferment in the stomach. This produces ethanol and carbohydrates, causing symptoms like disorientation, discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and other life-threatening symptoms (e.g. seizures, collapse, coma)”
Note: If your pet consumes any of these listed substances, call the Pet Poison Helpline for assistance via phone. In addition, prepare to bring your dog or cat to a vet for urgent care or emergency vet services.
b. Making Your Pet’s Own Thanksgiving Meal
Feeding your pet just before your Thanksgiving dinner will lessen the chances that they will beg for food or vigilantly await scraps from the table. If you want to make them feel included in the Thanksgiving festivities, you can make their meal extra special and Thanksgiving-themed with homemade pet food toppers using healthy ingredients. Learn more from our articles:
c. Mind Your Pet’s Portions
Limit your pet’s portions and treats so they do not deviate too much from their usual daily intake. Overfeeding dogs or cats during the holidays can lead to digestive issues, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.
Some pets may also experience bloating, a painful medical issue wherein the stomach is filled with food and/or gas — leading to symptoms like pacing, vocalizing, and dry heaving. Seek urgent vet care if your pet experiences prolonged or severe symptoms of bloating.
In some pets (especially deep-chested dog breeds), bloating can lead to Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists, cutting off blood flow. Affected pets experience symptoms like abdominal swelling, dry heaving, shortness of breath, pale gums, hypothermia, and lethargy/collapse. It is important to seek emergency vet services if you suspect GDV.
6. Thanksgiving Decor & Pet Safety
Though traditional Thanksgiving decor may be stunning, a few elements may pose some safety risks for curious or energetic dogs and cats. If these decor pieces cannot be avoided, we recommend placing them somewhere out of reach — or supervising (and/or harnessing) your pet when they are close to these kinds of Thanksgiving decor:
- Fragile Thanksgiving decor, centerpieces, and bowls
- Exposed bowls of candy
- Candles and other sources of open fire
- Small items (can become choking hazards)
- Acorns (are poisonous to dogs and cats)
7. Pets, Guests, & Children: Ensuring Positive Interactions
Because dogs and cats are part of the family, pet parents may want them to get along with everyone. However, some of your Thanksgiving guests may not be familiar with your dog or cat just yet.
To avoid accidents, set healthy boundaries with your guests and children — reminding them to approach your pet gently and to respect your pet’s space. In addition, remind guests to refrain from sharing table scraps with your dog or cat.
Note: Pets that are reactive or aggressive may not be safe to bring around a large number of people. If you have concerns about this, speak to a trusted veterinarian about your pet’s behavior. Vets will rule out any possible medical conditions, dog pain, or cat pain that is causing the aggression — and may refer you to a pet trainer or behaviorist if necessary.
8. Managing Thanksgiving Anxiety in Dogs & Cats
Dogs and cats are creatures of habit. Any major change in their environment may cause them to be anxious or overwhelmed. Party noises and commotion may be new or scary to them, especially if it’s their first Thanksgiving celebration with you.
We highly recommend taking the following steps to avoid pet anxiety amidst the festivities:
- Set up a quiet space for your dog or cat where they will not be accessible to guests
- Get an enrichment toy for your pet — these can be puzzle toys, lick mats, and snuffle mats for dogs and cats — as well as long-lasting chews and homemade lick bowls for dogs.
- Make use of calming aids — these can be thunder jackets (for dogs) or pheromone diffusers for (dogs and cats)
- If your dog or cat has had severe anxiety in the past, consult a vet regarding one-off anxiety medication that can be used for Thanksgiving
9. Preventing Pet Escapes During Thanksgiving
Since some pets get anxious during Thanksgiving, take some time to close off possible escape routes. It may be helpful to close the windows and/or use temporary pet gates to prevent accidental escapes. In addition, get your pet microchipped or have their existing microchip checked.
Thanksgiving Pet Safety for Traveling Pet Parents
Traveling this Thanksgiving to see your loved ones in other parts of the country? You have the option to bring your dog or cat along or find boarding accommodations for them while you’re away. This section covers a few helpful reminders!
10. Traveling with Your Pet By Plane or By Car
When traveling with your dog or cat over long distances, whether by car or by plane, plan the trip in advance. Here are a few main things to take care of:
- Take care of your dog’s or cat’s travel paperwork — a USDA-APHIS pet health certificate (which verifies that your pet is healthy) may be necessary when crossing borders.
- Consider anxiety medication for your pet — these may be helpful for nervous or first-time pet travelers; consult a trusted vet to know if this will be beneficial for your pet.
- If you need a pet-friendly hotel, book your stay in advance as rooms can run out.
- Find an emergency vet at your destination.
To learn more about traveling with a pet, here are a few helpful guides:
- How To Prepare for a Road Trip With Your Pet
- How To Travel with a Cat: A Relaxed Trip [by Car or Plane]
- Pet Travel from Denver: Local vs. International (USDA-APHIS)
- Dog Friendly Hotels in Denver, CO
- Dog Friendly Hotels in Chicago, IL
11. Consider Dog Boarding or Cat Boarding
If you’re leaving home and opting to NOT travel with your dog or cat, you may ask a trusted friend to watch over your furry friend. However, it may be challenging to find someone who is free to do so. This is where pet boarding establishments come in.
There are various dog boarding and cat boarding establishments that can care for your dog or cat — while also ensuring they enjoy their stay. All you’d need to do is book your pet’s stay, pack their pet boarding essentials, and bring them to the pet boarding establishment.
Note: By choosing a pet boarding establishment that requires vaccinations and offers enrichment activities, you can ensure that your pet stays safe and engaged. In addition, if you have a preferred vet for emergencies, let the boarding establishment know in advance.
Looking for pet boarding in Denver or Chicago? Here are a few amazing options to get started with — we recommend securing a spot promptly; pet boarding establishments can become fully booked as Thanksgiving draws nearer:
- The 8 Best Dog Boarding Establishments in Denver, CO
- The 3 Best Cat Boarding Establishments in Denver, CO
- The 9 Best Dog Boarding Establishments in Chicago, IL
- The 4 Best Cat Boarding Establishments in Chicago, IL
Sploot Vets: Here for You 365 Days a Year
This concludes our extensive guide on Thanksgiving pet safety tips. Follow these guidelines for a safe and enjoyable holiday with your pet!
Have questions or need advice for a safe and stress-free Thanksgiving with your pet? Sploot’s dedicated team is here for you, every day of the year—including holidays!
Book an appointment online or through the Sploot Vets app. For urgent concerns, give us a call at (720) 770 8656. We’re here to support you and your pet, whenever you need us.
Sploot Veterinary Care offers top-tier, Fear Free vet care, 365 days a year! Our vet clinics in Chicago and Denver offer primary and urgent care, as well as emergency vet services. As always, we’re with you every pounce of the way!
