What Not To Gobble: Don’t Let Your Pet Try These Holiday Foods
The season of gratitude is here, and Tier 1 is so thankful for our patients, clients, and community. We want to share a few holiday precautions with you that will hopefully keep your pet out of the hospital for anything except coming to wish us happy holidays and receiving a critter-friendly Christmas cookie. Before you let your dog or cat sidle up to the table and help themselves, or sneak some scraps under the table, here are a few unsafe holiday foods for pets to avoid so that you aren’t facing an emergency vet bill that you may not be so thankful for.
Unsafe Holiday Foods for Pets
Turkey Bones
Bird bones will shatter and splinter and can pose a serious risk to the GI tract. Find someone else to split the wishbone with you.
Dark Meat
Dark meat and skin are both higher in fat than white meat. The dark meat from poultry and other rich, fatty meats, such as sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, can lead to stomach upset, gastritis, gastroenteritis, and pancreatitis, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, and in severe cases death.
Chocolate
Most people know chocolate is a no-go for animals, but just to reiterate: it can cause vomiting and diarrhea in small doses, as well as severe heart arrhythmias and death in higher doses.
Mashed potatoes
It’s not the potatoes that are the problem; it’s everything else we all tend to doctor them with — butter, cheese, garlic, onions, sour cream, etc. And definitely no gravy. These mashed potato mix-ins can cause stomach upset and potentially life-threatening pancreatitis.
Onions & Garlic
Both onions and garlic can cause anemia (blood loss), which can lead to illness lasting weeks or longer and can be life-threatening. Take care where you leave the peelings.
Artificial Sweeteners
Especially for those of you trying to do low-calorie Thanksgiving treats, be very watchful for thieving paws. Artificial sweeteners such as xylitol cause seizures and liver failure, both of which can be fatal. These ingredients start acting very quickly and are very difficult to counteract in time.
Safe Holiday Foods for Pets
If you must share the thanks, and let’s be honest, plenty of us do, here are pet-safe treats that are okay to “fall off the table.”
White Meat Turkey
Ideally, not basted, brined, or deep-fried, but baked white meat turkey is safe. If you must share a little of the thankful spirit, try a small piece of turkey breast for your pets.
Pumpkin/sweet potatoes
Cooked and free of a lot of butter, cream, and other additives, these are a tasty — although bland — and high fiber treat that is safe for our furry Thanksgivers.
Green Beans
That’s green beans, not green bean casserole! Most dogs and some cats like green beans, especially frozen; they are a tasty, chewy treat. Be cautious of feeding your pets too many canned green beans, as they can be high in sodium.
My animals are always part of the holiday celebrations. However, I add a pet-safe turkey treat or chew to my shopping list and try to resist the urge to share from the table. We don’t like to leave out family members, but sometimes being a responsible owner and pet-parent means knowing what’s good for them and loving them enough to say no.
If your animal does schnarf something they shouldn’t, know that Tier 1 and other urgent and emergency hospitals are open late and staffed all Thanksgiving day for your emergency care needs. Give us a call or bring your animal in if an emergency arises.
Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center in Palmer is Alaska’s only comprehensive animal hospital. We are available by appointment, in addition to accepting emergencies and walk-ins. With CT, MRI, and Ultrasound available on-site, our facility provides advanced treatment options for your pet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
A 2010 Graduate of Colorado State College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Sean McPeck developed his leadership as a Sniper Team Leader and Veterinarian with the US Army Special Operations, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Dr. McPeck has multiple combat deployments, totaling almost 2 years in combat theaters of operation.
He is the recipient of the Combat Action Badge, and is Ranger, Sniper, and Airborne qualified. While serving as an officer in Special Operations, Dr. McPeck was repeatedly recognized for his Honor, Integrity, Courage and Selfless Service in the name of the United States. He was recognized with not one, but two, Meritorious Service Medals.
Under his leadership, Dr. McPeck worked with Working Dog handlers, and canine units, to detain and seize enemy combatants. The canines that Dr. McPeck worked with are credited with savings thousands of United States soldiers deployed in combat areas.
Dr. McPeck authored The RCAP, Ranger Canine Athletic Program, which was the 1st comprehensive Military canine conditioning program.
His specific training and certification classes for Dog handlers to be proficient in Canine Tactical- Combat Casualty Care, and knowledge of current medical equipment and procedures, which led to the successful life saving interventions by handlers in real world operations.
Dr. SaraRose McPeck graduated from Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. A Massachusetts native who attended Becker College for her undergrad, Dr. McPeck has lived and worked around the country and even the world. She served four years in the United States Army as a Veterinary Officer, during which she was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, and completed a 12-month tour in Afghanistan.
Her time serving in the Army provided her the experience as the primary veterinarian for over 350 Military Working Dogs, in which she provided all emergency, trauma, surgical, critical, and primary care. In addition to caring for animals, she trained, mentored, and led six Non-Commissioned Officers and twelve junior enlisted Soldiers, giving her not only impressive veterinary experience but also exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.
As a Veterinary Corp Officer, she received a variety of awards, including a Bronze Star, a NATO Medal, a GWOT Medal, two Army Accommodation Medals, among many others. She gained experiences in which she exemplified impressive leadership skills and the ability to adapt to both clinical and combat support situations. Her years of experience serving our country and in veterinary medicine have equipped her with the knowledge and skills to provide exceptional care to our patients.