Thanksgiving feasts are fun and exciting, but there are several poison risks for your pets that should not be overlooked. 

Keep the feast on the table – not under it.  Eating turkey or turkey skin can cause a life threatening pancreatitis.  Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest.   Onions, raisins, and grapes are great for people but poisonous to your pets.

No pie or other desserts for your pets.  Chocolate can be harmful even though dogs will sniff it out and eat it.  The artificial sweetener xylitol commonly found in gum and sugar-free baked goods can be deadly to both dogs and cats.

Yeast dough can cause painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.

Don’t let your pest get into the garbage.  A turkey carcass sitting out on the table or left in an open table can easily turn deadly to our furry friends.   It is better to dispose of the turkey carcass, bones, and anything else used to wrap or tie the meat in a covered, tightly secured trash bag within a closed container.

Festive plants can also be toxic.  These can include amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas and more.  The ASPCA offers a list of toxic plants to both dogs and cats.

If you believe your pets has been poisoned or eaten something it shouldn’t have you may need to call the Poison Control Hotline 1-888-426-4435.  Common signs of distress can include sudden changes in behavior, depression, pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.