• You might think properly cooked meat would be fine to give to your cat or dog in any situation, to be safe it is best to avoid giving your pet a portion of your Thanksgiving turkey. 

• The skin of your holiday turkey is high in fat, which can cause pancreatitis, and seasoning, which can give your animal indigestion. A tiny amount of boneless turkey meat is ok, especially if it is free of seasonings, but skin is definitely a no-no.

• Dogs love bones, but poultry bones are brittle and can easily break, lodging in your pet’s throat. This can lead to choking and other conditions which can cause severe health issues and even death. Chew toys are a much better choice to give to your dog. 

Other Poisonous Foods to Watch Out For

· Yeast dough

· Raisins or grapes

· Onions

· Xylitol (sweetener found in baked goods)

· Chocolate

· Pie filling – too much sugar!

· Raw eggs or meat

· Alcohol

The best way to keep your pet safe is to keep them well away from the dining table, kitchen and garbage bins! Make sure to instruct your guests not to feed your pets food from the table – even better, let them know why!

The Good News

What you CAN give your pet is PUMPKIN! While not many holiday delights are safe for pets, pumpkin is actually great for them! Pure, canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is a low-calorie, nutrient-packed treat for both cats and dogs that is filling and tasty! Just make sure to keep portion sizes moderate, comparable to your pets’ size.