Whether you’re hosting this year’s Thanksgiving feast, or simply showing up as a guest, don’t forget about Fido. Here are a few Thanksgiving safety tips to help make your holiday celebration with dogs a stress-free one.
1. Squeeze in a Morning Excercise
No, I’m not talking about a quick trip to the gym so you can hop on the treadmill and burn some calories pre-feasting (#YouLiveOnce #EatTheCake). Rather, I’m talking about grabbing your pup’s leash and going for a long walk so your dog can burn off any excess energy. Let them run around. Maybe play a game of fetch. Once they’re home, bust out the pet puzzles and work their mind. The goal here is to make your dog tired. So, by the time guests arrive, they’re more likely to relax. You know what they say: A tired dog is a good dog!
2. Cover Plates Before Mealtime
I personally have two small dogs who are about as tall as my ankles. So, there is no way they can jump up and reach food on the countertops. However, if you have a larger dog who can reach the counters, consider keeping your food-filled plates covered until your guests are ready to dig in. Even well-trained dogs may get tempted by all those yummy smells!
3. Talk to Guests About Sneaking Table Scraps to Your Dog
Not all holiday foods are safe for dogs. (You can check out our list of 10 Thanksgiving Foods to Keep Far Away from Fido HERE.) But, your guests may not realize that gravy-covered turkey, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie are bad for your fur baby. So, before food is served, have a quick conversation with your guests and ask them not to feed any table scraps to your pup.
4. Consider Making Festive Dog Treats
Thanksgiving is centered around food. And dogs love food. So, it’s easy to understand why many people have the urge to offer Fido something yummy. But, even if holiday foods aren’t “toxic” to our dogs, many are prepared with butter and other fats … making them unhealthy for Fido. Instead of table scraps, consider whipping up a special dog treat. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated … just a little something that’s made with all dog-safe ingredients. I recently teamed up with The Honest Kitchen and created an easy Green Bean Casserole for Dogs. Check it out:
5. Secure Trash Cans
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, oftentimes our eyes are bigger than our stomachs. So, what happens to the last bite of garlic mashed potatoes or chocolate pie sitting on your plate? It probably ends up in the trash. With so many table scraps tossed in the trash, your holiday garbage will smell pretty enticing to Fido. Good enough to go dumpster diving, perhaps! To avoid an unwanted trip to the vet, make sure to keep all trash cans covered and tucked away.
Happy Thanksgiving!
