Tips for Bringing Fido to Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to get together with friends and family, eat good food, and give thanks. We obviously want our pets to be part of this tradition, but there are certain things to keep in mind in order to enjoy the day safely with your pet.
Here are our best tips for keeping Fido safe this Thanksgiving.
RSVP for Fido
If you are going to a friend’s or family member’s house to celebrate, reach out and make sure the host is okay with your dog coming. They may not want to have a dog in their home due to having other pets or for some other reason. It’s always better to ask ahead of time than be stuck in a pickle the day of.
Get Active
Thanksgiving can be a pretty overwhelming day for your pup. To help combat some anxiety or overstimulation, get outside and get active with your dog. You could go for a long walk, play a game of fetch in the yard, or go hiking. Whatever you can do to de-stress your dog is going to help you in the long run.
Keep Your Dog Out of the Kitchen
It may be difficult to say no when your dog is basking in all the delicious smells of Thanksgiving dinner, however, many Thanksgiving foods are not safe for dogs. To avoid accidents, keep your pup out of the kitchen and dining room to ensure they don’t get their paws on something they shouldn’t have.
Bring an Activity
You can combat some misbehavior by bringing along a favorite toy, blanket, or dog bed. A toy or treat may help curb some cravings for people’s food and a blanket or bed may help them feel more relaxed in a new environment.
Don’t Be Afraid to Leave Fido Home
While you know that it’s a special holiday, your dog won’t really know the difference and won’t be too sad about missing out on the holiday if it won’t be good for them.
If you think it may be too overwhelming or they may get stressed or anxious, just leave your dog at home and celebrate with them another time.
If you don’t want to leave them home alone for an extended amount of time, considered hiring a pet sitter or boarding your dog for the day so they have someone caring for them while you’re away.
Thanksgiving can be a wonderful holiday to spend with your dog as long as you are prepared for many different possibilities. Happy Thanksgiving!