Pump the Breaks Before the Feast Begins

You may already be daydreaming about the Thanksgiving feast that is approaching soon; his time of the year is absolutely delicious. You may want to share the experience with your four-legged friends, but pump the brakes for just a second. 

There are a few vital things to know before you start throwing down scraps for ol' Fido. Making the wrong choices could land your pooch in the vet's office. 

Take Precaution

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Your dog can indulge in some of the many goodies during the holidays but there is plenty to steer clear of. The AKC put out a list of popular dishes that can either be safe or send your pup to the veterinarian.

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Foods Safe For Dogs

Check out some of the common holiday foods are A-OK for dogs to snack on here and there.

  • Turkey Meat

The star of the show is safe for dogs but be sure to remove any bones and skin. The meat itself is fine but the skin could have too much fat and spices that could give your dog pancreatitis.

Sweet Potatoes
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Sweet potatoes by themself are perfect and packed with nutrition. Just remember not to give your pet sweet potatoes containing any added ingredients. So before you add the brown sugar and marshmallows, set some plain sweet potatoes aside for your tail-wagging friend.

  • Pumpkin 

Pumpkin is super healthy and is good for a dog's skin and coat. However, just like sweet potatoes, make sure the pumpkin is plain and without any spices.

  • Frozen Yogurt
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Your dog is going to have to skip the pecan pies and fruit salad, but he can still enjoy a dessert. Plain frozen yogurt is a good choice for dogs because of its probiotic components.

Unsafe Holiday Foods For Dogs

Now, this list is quite a bit longer, and I won't leave off much. Dogs can clearly have a good time and get to enjoy part of the holiday feast, but there is some food you should stay away from. Dogs can get an upset stomach, anemia, and even pancreatitis in some cases just from eating certain foods.

  • Turkey bones, skin, and gravy
  • Stuffing
  • Casseroles
  • Mashed potatoes
    • Potatoes are fine, it is the extra ingredients like butter, sour cream, and spices that could be harmful to many dogs.
  • Creamed peas
    • The milk could cause diarrhea in lactose-intolerant dogs. Plain peas are in the clear though!
  • Chocolate
    • This is the basic one, most people know chocolate is a definite 'NoNo' for dogs. That means, no chocolate chip cookies, pies, and any other sweets that contain that cocoa goodness.
  • Alcoholic beverages
    • Look, the CKC and many other lits include alcohol, which I didn't know even needed to be pointed out, but apparently dog owners like to get boozy with their canine bestie.
  • Raisins and grapes
  • Onions, scallions, and garlic
    • That means no Thanksgiving stuffing, as it almost always includes onions and garlic.
  • Ham
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    • Pork is one food dogs should stay away from. Pork could cause pancreatitis, upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs.
  • Yeast dough
  • Fatty foods
  • Foods containing spices

Don't Forget the Post Meal

My Zuesy-Poo is notorious for knocking down the trash can when I'm gone. So be sure to throw out those trash bags after the Thanksgiving feast to ensure your pup doesn't indulge himself in your leftovers.

Santa's Wonderland 2021 Delights Holiday Fans in College Station

I was one of the lucky ones to experience the 2021 version of Santa's Wonderland in College Station. In fact, I was there on the second night of operation and it was packed with those who wanted an early touch of the holidays. Our group did take the horse carriage ride through the lights and it was excellent. We also went on a chilly night to make it more festive. I highly recommend if you want to take the road trip. For more info https://www.santas-wonderland.com

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