Skip to main content

Celebrating Thanksgiving Safely with Your Pet


 

Celebrating Thanksgiving Safely with Your Pet

Written by Heather

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food! As we gather around the table to give thanks, it’s important to remember our furry friends who are part of the family. While we want to include our pets in the celebrations, it’s essential to keep their safety and well-being in mind. Here are some tips for celebrating Thanksgiving safely with your pet.

1. Safe Food Choices

While it can be tempting to share our Thanksgiving feast with our pets, not all foods are safe for them. Some human foods can be harmful or even toxic to pets. Here are some safe options to share:

  • Turkey: Plain, cooked turkey meat (without skin or seasoning) is a great protein treat for your pet.
  • Vegetables: Offer steamed or cooked veggies like carrots, green beans, or sweet potatoes, but avoid those with butter, salt, or seasoning.
  • Pumpkin: Plain, canned pumpkin (not the spiced pie filling) is a nutritious treat that can be beneficial for digestion.

Always consult your vet if you’re unsure about which foods are safe for your pet!

2. Avoiding the Table Scraps Trap

It’s easy to get carried away and slip your pet some scraps from the table, but this can lead to digestive issues or even pancreatitis. Make sure to set clear boundaries with family and friends, explaining that your pet shouldn’t be fed from the table. Instead, have a designated “pet treat” area where they can enjoy their safe snacks.

3. Keep the Decorations Pet-Friendly

Thanksgiving decorations can pose risks to curious pets. Keep candles, decorative plants, and any small items out of reach to avoid accidents. Some common Thanksgiving decorations, like poinsettias, can be toxic to pets. Opt for pet-safe decorations and ensure your space is tidy.

4. Create a Cozy Retreat

With all the commotion of Thanksgiving gatherings, your pet may need a quiet space to retreat. Set up a cozy area with their bed, toys, and water bowl so they can relax away from the hustle and bustle. This is especially important for pets that may feel overwhelmed by too many guests.

5. Stay Mindful of Stressors

Holidays can be stressful for pets, especially if they’re not used to large groups of people. Monitor their behavior and provide plenty of positive reinforcement and love. If you notice your pet feeling anxious, take them for a short walk or playtime outside to help them decompress.

6. Don’t Forget About Hydration

Ensure your pet has access to fresh water throughout the day. With all the excitement, it’s easy for pets to forget to hydrate, so keep their water bowl filled and encourage them to drink regularly.

7. Watch Out for Holiday Hazards

Keep an eye on any potential hazards, such as food leftovers that may be within your pet’s reach, or even empty food containers that could pose choking risks. Always clean up promptly after meals to avoid accidents.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to express gratitude and share moments with loved ones, including our furry companions. By keeping these safety tips in mind, you can ensure a joyful and stress-free holiday for both you and your pet. For more pet care tips and resources, be sure to check out Waiting 4 Sunshine and follow us on Instagram at @waiting.4.sunshine.

Wishing you and your pets a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Saturday 9: Good Morning, Heartache

Trying another new thing called Saturday 9, it can be found here:  http://samanthasaturday9.blogspot.com 1) Do you come up with your brightest ideas early in the morning or late at night?   I would say that I am most creative later in the evenings 2) Are you more likely to feel romantic at night or in the morning?  Depends on the day :-), but usually at night 3) Do you shower in the morning, after work or before bed?   I shower in the mornings, it helps wake me up 4) Billie Holiday was just 44 when she died. Is there an artist whose early demise surprised and saddened you?   Not an artist but Heath Ledger's death really shocked me and took me by surprise.  He is one of my all time favorite actors. 5) Billie was known as "Lady Day." Do you have a cool nickname? (If not, feel free to give yourself one right now.)   No cool nicknames, as a kid I was "Woodie or Fruitcake".....don't ask LOL 6) When was the last time you had the blues?   ...
16 comments
Read more

Who Are you?

Sunday stealing  Who Are you? Part 7 – It is Over!  Part 7: Self Image 84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you:   I wake up at 6:00am, take a shower, get ready for the day, then I go downstairs and feed the critters, and make breakfast for hubby and I.  We usually leave the house by about 7:30ish and I drop my husband off at work.  Then I work (I'm a Pet Groomer) until about 3:30 or 4:00ish then I leave for home and go get my hubby from work.  Then I come home and make dinner, feed the critters, work on cleaning the house a little and we usually head to bed about 8:30ish or 9:00. 85. What is your greatest strength as a person?   I am a very compassionate and have a big heart 86. What is your greatest weakness?   Interrupting people when they are talking 87. Are you going to run for President in 2016?   Nope, I don't care about politics all that much 88. Are you generally self-contained? No, I do like to talk, except t...
8 comments
Read more

🌿 CBD and Hormones: What Every Woman Should Know

  Posted in The Wellness Den | June 14, 2025 Let’s be real: being a woman comes with a lot of hormonal ups and downs. Mood swings. Fatigue. Bloating. Brain fog. Anxiety. Sleep issues. And don’t even get me started on the perimenopause rollercoaster. Whether you’re in your 20s or late 40s (like me!), hormones influence everything —your energy, mood, digestion, skin, cycle, and emotional balance. But here’s something most women don’t hear enough: CBD can help. Not as a magic pill or miracle cure—but as a powerful tool that supports your body’s natural rhythms and helps bring balance when everything feels off. 💛 What Happens When Hormones Are Out of Whack? When estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, or thyroid hormones get thrown off, you may feel: Anxious or irritable Wired but tired Struggling with sleep or concentration Sluggish digestion or metabolism Cravings, mood dips, and PMS from another planet Sound familiar? Now enter: your Endocannabino...
Post a Comment
Read more