T-giving Pets: Food hazards, safety tips and saving money
As we get over this election cycle and into the holiday that binds us, let’s not forget our furry little friends and their safety this Thanksgiving.
Fluffy and Fido often find themselves in harm’s way over Thanksgiving by over-zealous relatives who try to sneak them food off the table. As a result, you could be spending nearly double at the Veterinarian Hospital to treat your pet over the holiday weekend. Petplan data has found that Vet costs nearly double Thanksgiving weekend for common ailments that can be simple to avoid ($400 average compared to nearly $800 average).
To help pet-parents keep their little loved ones safe and save the family budget for the holidays, Petplan veterinarians have created a pet friendly menu that is easy for you to make and already includes many food items you will already have on hand on Thanksgiving.
So, before Uncle Leo serves Fido or Fluffy something unsafe, click here to see healthy menu options, recipes and other tips to keep your furry family members safe.
THE MENU (click here to get the recipes):
Pumpkin Smoothies: This creamy, two-ingredient pumpkin drink earns plenty of woofs and purrs.
Paws-itively Peanutty Crudités: Crispy, crunchy veggies and peanut butter (dogs’ favorite!) make a great first course.
Simple Sorbet: Tickle tongues between courses with this refreshing ice cube treat.
Roasted Turkey Medallions: Turkey, carrots and oatmeal make a delicious, protein-packed entrée.
Scrumptious Sweet Potato Cookies: Sweet potato and banana combine into easy-to-make, low-calorie cookies.
OTHER SAFETY TIPS (click here to see more safety tips)
Portion control: Pet parents should consider the size of their best friend when dishing out dinner (a Chihuahua should not eat as much as a Great Dane!). Overindulging can lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis.
Trimming the fat: Remember to keep treats to less than 10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake to maintain a healthy diet. If you’re planning to make Thanksgiving recipes for dogs, adjust the amount of regular chow you dish out in a day.
No bones about it: No matter how much they beg, dogs should never be given turkey bones to chew on. These brittle bones splinter easily, and the risk of intestinal blockage or bowel perforation is just too great to ignore!
Sharing is caring: A single splurge on Thanksgiving Day is okay, but avoid overfeeding for the rest of the week. Sharing leftovers can be a great gift for neighborhood pups – and is sure to put you on the “Nice” list come Christmas!
