6 Must-Know Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips from Penn Vet

Thanksgiving is all about food, family, friends, and fun — but for your pets, it can be a minefield of dangerous treats and holiday hazards. To make sure your furry friends stay healthy (and avoid a trip to the emergency room), Service Head of Emergency Services at Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital Deborah Mandell offers expert-approved tips.

Read on to make this holiday season stress-free for you and your pets!

1. Stick to Their Normal Diet

You might get puppy eyes, but resist the temptation to share your Thanksgiving feast with your pet. Rich foods like turkey, ham, gravy, and festive cookies can cause serious stomach upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, or even pancreatitis — a potentially life-threatening condition. Keep your pet’s diet regular and avoid table scraps.

2. Watch Out for Bones

Leftover turkey and ham might seem like a tasty treat, but they’re a danger for pets. Bones left in meat scraps, especially poultry bones, can splinter and cause gastrointestinal distress or get lodged in your pet’s throat and cause choking. Make sure all bones are kept out of reach and disposed of properly.

3. Say No to Chocolate (and Alcohol!)

It’s common knowledge that chocolate is a no-go for pets, but it can be easy to forget how toxic it is. Even small amounts can cause vomiting or diarrhea, and in larger quantities, heart issues, seizures, and hyperactivity. And if you’re enjoying a holiday cocktail? Keep your pet away from it. Alcohol can cause neurological symptoms and even comas.

4. Grapes & Raisins = Big No-No

Think fruit is a safe treat for your pet? Think again! Grapes and raisins are toxic to many pets, even in small amounts. These sweet snacks can lead to kidney failure, so keep them away from your furry friends.

5. Let Guests Know the Rules

Family and friends might not know which foods are off-limits for your pets. Before everyone digs into dinner, make sure they’re all on the same page about what’s safe for your pet and what isn’t. When it comes to your pet’s safety, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

6. Know Where to Go: Penn Vet Ryan Hospital

Even when following all of the tips on this list, accidents can happen. If your pet ingests something harmful, a quick response is crucial. In an emergency, Penn Vet’s Ryan Hospital is your best bet. The Emergency Service is available 24/7, 365 days a year, so don’t hesitate to get help. They’re staffed by a team of board-certified specialists who are ready to handle critical care situations. Ryan Hospital is also the only veterinary hospital in the country recognized as both a Level I Facility and a Verified Veterinary Trauma Center.

With these tips in mind, you can focus on enjoying your Thanksgiving — knowing your pets are healthy and safe. If your pet is in distress, don’t wait. Call 215-746-8911 or head straight to Ryan Hospital at 3900 Spruce Street in Philadelphia.cal cattle farmer,” she says. “We found tick larvae in the vegetation around El Progreso, a rural community at the entrance to the highlands. We also found a tick in the ear of a stray dog in that same neighborhood. The cattle farmer showed us some of his cows and they were sadly covered in hundreds of ticks.”