Thanksgiving for your Pets

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, trust Eco Lassie on this.

And your pets, being the cute and darling members of your family that they are, deserve their own T-Day treats.  Remember, the Pilgrims were big on sharing.

When it comes to that turkey, can you safely feed your pets?

The answer is yes, with some considerations.

If we’re talking raw turkey, your pet can eat any part of it, including the packet of giblets, and even the bones and necks.    As I’ve mentioned before, dogs and cats are carnivores and in the wild, eat anything they forage.  And yes, it’s always raw.  The splintering of bones you read about only occurs if you feed your pet cooked turkey bones.   So any part of the turkey can be fed to them if it’s raw.  This includes the wings and the neck.  (I smash Murray’s 1/2 of the  neck a bit because she’s almost 14; Radar at 2 1/2 has no problems munching or digesting his bigger half.)

The situation changes radically if we’re talking about cooked turkey.  After your long sitting at the table, you may want to share the leftovers with your pet.  This is when you avoid cooked bones, and just give them meat.  Avoid cooked turkey fat and skin: it has too much fat in it and can give your pet diarrhea and, if enough is taken in, even pancreatitis.  But there is no question your cat or dog will like turkey.  Many pet foods, especially those designed for pets with sensitive stomachs, contain turkey.

But we’ll assume you just want your dog or cat to share in your good meal.  Dogs and cats can have cooked vegetables in small amounts, too.  Avoid onions and some dogs don’t tolerate garlic, but green beans, a small amount of potatoes, and even a touch of gravy will give your pet a Thanksgiving feast he will enjoy!

Is there any doubt in your mind?

After dinner, the same tryptophan that makes you sleepy can affect your pet, so don’t be surprised when you doze off to find your pet right besides you~

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!