Share Healthy Thanksgiving Leftovers with Your Dog

by Dr Greg on November 25, 2009

20-dog-eating-people-food-smallMany veterinarians warn against feeding Thanksgiving leftovers because many dogs show up at clinics across America with diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation during the next few days from eating too much of a good thing or the wrong things. However, healthful ingredients, when safely fed, should not cause medical problems in dogs and cats.

A Few Rules of Thumb

First, dogs with very touchy stomachs, bowels, or a history of allergies should not eat beef, wheat or corn ingredients, since these can tip the immunological applecart and lead to red itchy ears, itchy skin, hotspots, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, and even sore anal glands.roast beef

These Allergenic Thanksgiving Day ingredients are present in bread, chips, steak, tri-tip, roast beef, and     turkey or beef  gravy. gravy

Second, if you are unsure about feeding your dog some turkey, ham, or green beans: mix a bit  in with the regular food to make sure that there are no sensitivities to the Thanksgiving fare.

Third, even if your dog is commonly fed healthful human food, and used to it, don’t overdo it. Feed about one third of the normal feeding amount. Spread the leftovers out over several days to be safe.

turkey bonesFourth, when some dogs eat a whole turkey drumstick or carcass they may get severe constipation when the mass of bones enter the colon, slow down, and dry out. My dogs safely chew on a small pork shank, or frozen chicken thigh, to clean their teeth, but the bones are much smaller, and pass easily. Turkey bones can be pretty big, brittle, and sharp.

Healthful Things You Can Share…And What to Avoid

cooked hamTurkey skin and meat, ham meat and fat, green beans, yams, apples, bananas are all great foods for your dog. Problem foods include beef, gravy, bread, chips, chocolate, onions, grapes, and sugarless gum. turkey

Relief is Available

You and your pets can safely share Thanksgiving, but if your dog is sensitive or vomits once or twice but doesn’t appear to be too ill, try one Pepcid tablet per 25-60 pounds dog weight. This will make them feel much better. If  that doesn’t work seek veterinary help.

pepcid

Know what your dog and/or cat can safely eat. You can learn much more about feeding your pet to avoid allergies, keep weight under control and keep your pet safe. Find more about feeding your dog in my new book–Dog Dish Diet: Sensible Nutrition for Your Dog’s Health.

Bone Appétit!!

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Havanese Puppies December 1, 2009 at 4:07 am

Thanks for the useful advice, will make sure to use it next year. My 8 weeks old Havanese pup was left alone for no more than 2 minutes and he managed to get on the table and started chewing the turkey… :) Of course I am the only one to blame here :)

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