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Even though pets love Christmas because of all of the presents, if we gave them the choice to pick between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we're pretty sure they'd pick Thanksgiving because of the huge dinner spread. However, just because we're eating it, doesn't mean they should.
In addition to food, the Thanksgiving holiday brings travel, fun festivities and more, making pet parents have to take an extra moment to confirm whether or not they've created a safe environment for their pets during the holiday. In this post we're sharing five ways to protect your pet this Thanksgiving that includes helpful tips like safe Thanksgiving food for dogs, decorating tips, travel tips and more!
The first Thanksgiving pet safety tip is to ensure your pet is staying away from any Thanksgiving foods that are not safe for dogs. Even though your dog will be drooling and begging for everything on the table, there are numerous Thanksgiving foods that aren't safe for dogs.
We actually have a Thanksgiving Food Safety List For Your Dog blog post that highlights everything your dog can have, cannot have and some extra bonus tips! We highly recommend checking that out to help protect your pet this Thanksgiving.
What you can also do is to make your very own Thanksgiving dog treats to include them in the festivities safely. Whether you want to add some pumpkin, plain turkey (with no butter, spices, bones or other ingredients that are too rich for dogs) or plain green beans as a food topper or as a fun enrichment snack in a KONG or Toppl, your dog will be thrilled to join in the Thanksgiving fun safely!
The second way to protect your pet this Thanksgiving is to ensure that no holiday decorations are in your pet's reach to not only ensure their safety, but also to keep your home clean. Below are a few decorating tips:
Want to see even more pet safety decorating tips? Check out our detailed post, 10+ Pet Safety Tips For Decorating For The Holidays to get tons of helpful tips on the following:
This third Thanksgiving safety tips for pets is in two parts:
We all have that family member or friend (or maybe it's even ourselves!) that always sneaks the dog something at the dinner table. Since not everyone may know what foods are safe and not safe for dogs, it's helpful to communicate with your family members what they should and should not give to your dog, especially if your dog has special needs that must be accommodated.
Even though your pet may want to say hi to everyone visiting for Thanksgiving, you may have a guest who gets nervous around pets and needs some space to feel more comfortable. Knowing your guests preferences and level of comfortability will help make the festivities enjoyable for everyone. Plus, your pets can always be greeted in their own area by everyone who's comfortable with seeing them!
Speaking of providing a comfortable area for everyone, the fourth way to protect your pet this Thanksgiving is to give them a space that is reserved for them, away from all of the business.
Many pets get anxious around people entering their home, especially when there's more than usual during the holidays. To help keep your pet calm, create an area that is just for them where they can relax and be away from everyone. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
Make sure to check on your pet from time to time. If they're in their own space to keep them calm, that's wonderful, but seeing you will make them even happier and help keep them calm throughout the festivities.
Are you planning on traveling for Thanksgiving? Whether or not you plan to bring your pets, below are some helpful tips for both situations to ensure you and your pets are prepared for any travel plans:
Make sure to do this in advance, since like any business, vet offices can close earlier for the holidays so their employees can spend time with their furry family too.
Different airlines may have different requirements for your pet. Confirming that you have all necessary certifications, medical records, shots (can have certain ones added depending on location of travel), and more will ensure an easier travel experience for you and your pet.
Since many people travel to places during the holidays, booking a pet-sitter planned in advance will help guarantee that one is still available to you by the time your trip comes. Also, depending on your level of comfort or knowledge of the pet-sitter, it's also good to do this with enough time in advance to allow your pet (and yourself) time to become comfortable with the person, especially if they're new.
If you want to check in on your pet from time to time, you can invest in a pet camera to monitor your pet while you're gone. There are many different versions available today, including some with built-in treat dispensers, giving tons of options for everyone.
We hope these Thanksgiving safety tips for pets are helping you feel more confident about sharing the wonderful holiday season with your pets. With a few slight changes and modifications to your everyday plans, you can protect your pet easily this Thanksgiving!