Think About Your Pet’s Health This Thanksgiving | Ask the vet 2 wants to know

Before giving your pet a snack from the Thanksgiving table, 2 Wants to Know brought Dr. Kelley Gebhardt to 2 Wants to Know to talk about the do’s and don’ts.

• As long as your pet does not have a history of pancreatitis or food sensitivities/ allergies, then you can treat your cat or dog to some table food.
• Remember to keep portions small and healthy food choices.
• Portion control is the key to keeping your pet overweight and keeping their intestinal tract happy. (Tip: make sure table foods are low in fat, healthy and don’t make up more than 10% of your pet’s total diet).

Apple · Banana · Carrots · Cauliflower · Sweet potato/potato without butter or salt · Lean meats (no bones!) · Cucumbers · Egg · Green beans · Green peppers · Melon · Air-popped corn · Pumpkin canned · Rice · Plain rice cake · Canned tuna in water · Zucchini

Raisins Raisins Moldy foods Chocolate Alcohol Onions and garlic Raw bread dough Macadamia nuts Sugar-free foods containing xylitol

Bones can break dogs teeth, get stuck in their mouth/around lower jaw and break, causing potential intestinal blockages or lacerations, especially after cooking.

Don’t be tempted to treat your dog like a bone during the holidays.

Take out the trash often. Make sure trash cans are securely closed with a lid and/or placed out of reach of persistent animals.

Cooking bags, disposable dishes, bones and other discarded foods or containers are a huge temptation for dogs and cats. Throwing in the trash can lead to gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, intestinal foreign bodies and toxicities.

• Ask vacationers to keep track of their prescription medications.
• Create a safe space for your pet away from friends and family.
• Use a thunder shirt for anxious dogs or cats.
• Before the holiday festivities, talk to your regular veterinarian about medications that might help reduce your pet’s holiday anxiety.
• Make sure your pet wears a collar or harness with appropriate up-to-date tags with your contact information.
• Is your pet microchipped? If this is not the case, contact your usual veterinarian to have your animal microchipped. If they come out of the house or yard, you need several ways for them to be reunited with you.