How You Can Make Your Canine’s Thanksgiving Special
Thanksgiving is all about getting together with the people you love to give thanks to, and, of course, you want your furry friend to be part of the day. Here are some things you can do to make sure this day is as special for Fido as it is for you.
Plan Ahead
While Thanksgiving is supposed to be fun, it has the potential to be overwhelming as well. When there is more activity around your house, new smells, lots of visitors, and an increased noise level, your pup can start to get antsy.
If you are doing a lot of cooking for your Thanksgiving meal, you may want to set up barriers to keep your pooch out of the kitchen. You may also want to give them something new and fun like a homemade dog treat or a toy and again during the meal to keep their mind off of all the yummy food they can’t eat.
Also, make sure all of your guests are aware and comfortable with the fact that you have a dog. Not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Then, when your guests arrive, introduce your pet to everyone to help put them more at ease.
Dog Safe Food
It can be hard to see your dog pining after the delicious food piled up on your dinner plate. However, you have to stay strong. Those Thanksgiving classics are super rich and can be hard on your pup’s digestive system.
Ask your guests to please refrain from giving scraps to your pet and consider keeping your four-legged friend out of the dining room to avoid accidents. You’ll want to be especially careful Fido doesn’t get any of the following foods:
- Turkey skin
- Turkey bones
- Turkey stuffing
- Turkey gravy
- Chocolate
- Mashed potatoes
- Sweet potatoes that include added ingredients
- Pumpkin pie
- Alcohol
- Grapes/raisins
- Onions
- Scallions
Stick to your dog’s normal food and they will be their healthiest, happiest selves. For a more comprehensive list of foods t avoid, visit this list.
Get Active
To get ahead of all the holiday excitement, make sure Fido gets plenty of activity to prepare. Get them outside to enjoy some fresh air and run off some extra energy.
You may also want to go for a post-meal walk. Not only will this help you digest your Thanksgiving meal, but it can also help to get your pup away from all the activity for a moment and have some quiet.
Connect in Other Ways
Since Fido can’t sit at the dining table with you, find other ways to spend time with your family so that your pooch can join in.
Curling up on the couch to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade or a football game, going on a family walk, or sitting around a fire are all great ways to connect with your family and have a fun Thanksgiving.
No matter how you choose to celebrate, just remember to keep your pooch at the top of your mind to make sure that are happy and staying healthy.