Brody's Tips for Thanksgiving

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Another big time of year is approaching: Thanksgiving! Last year, I was thankful for meeting my dog cousin, Ellie, and all the attention from my family members. Everyone petted and complimented me. This year, I look even better. I can’t wait!

Thanksgiving is also great because of all the smells. There are so many beautiful foods on the table, and I wish I could eat them all like the humans do. This isn’t my first time with the holidays, so I’ve made some mistakes and learned a few things. As a dog, I know it can be tempting to eat anything within reach. It’s quite hard to pull away sometimes. Here are my tips for preventing holiday mishaps!

Never let your dog or cat have access to food during Thanksgiving.
I know it’s tempting to feed your dog when they’re sitting and begging and being cute. I’m guilty of this manipulation tactic myself, I can’t help it, but it’s important for you not to give in! There are lots of yummy tidbits on the holiday table that can cause stomach upset or worse.

Make sure all the food is secure and in a place that animals can’t reach it. You’ll be thankful that you don’t have to leave while company is over to take your pet to the emergency vet!

Think about safe disposal.
Make sure every great smelling thing is sealed up (especially bones and strings), and throw everything away in a garbage can that pets can’t access. I absolutely never ever get in the garbage can, but when I do, I sniff out all the best goodies. The garbage after Thanksgiving would be the ultimate prize! But turkey bones and strings can get stuck in the stomach, fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, or even just make our tummies upset.

If your pet has gotten into something they shouldn’t have, here are some symptoms to watch for:

• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Lethargy (lack of energy)
• Shallow breathing
• Diarrhea

If your pet experiences just one of these symptoms infrequently, keep an eye on them. If they have more than one symptom, it might be time to call my mom or one of her doctor friends to make sure everything is ok.  

I hope everyone has a great and safe Thanksgiving!