11/26/2025
🦃 Thanksgiving Pet Safety Awareness 🐾
With all the food, visitors, and activity, Thanksgiving can be stressful — and even dangerous — for pets. Here’s what to watch for to keep dogs, cats, and exotics safe this holiday:
🚫 Foods Pets Should Not Eat
Avoid giving any of the following to dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, or other small animals:
● Turkey bones, skin, or fatty trimmings (risk of choking, GI upset, pancreatitis)
● Stuffing (usually contains onions, garlic, sage, or butter)
● Gravy (high fat, spices)
● Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
● Chocolate, desserts, sugar-free sweets (xylitol is highly toxic)
● Alcohol or uncooked dough
● Seasoned vegetables or foods cooked with butter, oil, or spices
📝 Exotic pet note: Rabbits, guinea pigs, and birds are especially sensitive to fats, sugars, and seasonings — even small amounts can cause severe digestive distress.
⚠️ Know What Counts as an Emergency
Fatty or inappropriate foods can lead to pancreatitis, intestinal blockages, or toxicity.
Seek immediate veterinary care if you see:
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Bloated or painful abdomen
• Lethargy or restlessness
• Refusal to eat
• Tremors, seizures, or collapse
• Straining or inability to pass stool
📣 Exotics: Lack of eating or pooping in rabbits/guinea pigs is urgent — GI stasis can become fatal within hours. Birds showing fluffed feathers, quietness, or labored breathing also need immediate vet attention.
🟢 Safe Foods You Can Share (In Small Amounts)
For dogs & cats, plain and unseasoned only:
✅ ️Lean turkey (no skin, no bones)
✅️ Plain mashed or baked potatoes (no butter, no salt)
✅️ Plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
✅️ Plain green beans
For rabbits & guinea pigs (tiny portions only):
✅️ Plain leafy greens (romaine, herbs, carrot tops)
✅️ A small amount of plain pumpkin or green beans
For birds (species-dependent, tiny amounts):
✅️ Plain vegetables like green beans, carrots, or squash
✅️ Small amounts of plain cooked grains
❗️Always research species-specific requirements from credible sources— many exotics have very sensitive digestive systems.
🏡 General Holiday Safety Tips
- Be mindful of food sensitivities — even safe foods may upset stomachs.
- Secure trash cans so pets can’t sneak leftovers.
- Keep pets contained when guests are coming and going — use crates, gates, or closed rooms to prevent escapes.
- Provide a quiet space for shy or easily stressed animals.
- Keep exotics away from kitchen fumes, candles, and hot surfaces — birds especially are sensitive to air quality and fumes from cooking.
We hope this information helps! If you would like to double check during your meal prep/planning, feel free to give us a text during our business hours at (863) 646 - 3669 💙
