Thanksgiving Table Scraps Dos and Don'ts

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Thanksgiving is a time where we like to be generous, and sometimes that means all that begging for human food will finally pay off for our furry friends. While it's better not to give your dog table scraps at all, people will still do it and it's best that they do it in a way that's safe. For recommendations of tasty'dog foods and treats o give your dogs in lieu of table snacks, contact your local veterinary service provider in Madison, CT. In the meantime, here are the dos and don'ts of feeding your pup table scraps.

Turkey is used as an ingredient in many natural dog foods, but be careful feeding your dog your Thanksgiving bird. Avoid giving them pieces of skin, as it's often marinated with spices, butter, and oil. The skin is also difficult for dogs to digest. Feed your dog plain turkey meat and you'll both be full and happy!

Turkey bones'should never be consumed by dogs, especially when cooked. The bones can splinter and break, damaging your dog's digestive tract. No one wants to end a holiday with a trip to the emergency room.

Mashed potatoes'are an excellent food to give your dog, so long as they don't have any harmful ingredients. If you plan to give your dog a taste of potato, make sure it has no alliums (garlic, onions, leeks, chives, scallions) and only use dairy if you know your dog can digest it without any issues.

Macaroni and cheese'is a safe and delicious dish to share with your dog. However, this is only true if you know your dog can digest dairy without any issues. If you're not sure, you can give your dog plain, cooked macaroni noodles.

Green bean casserole is tricky. On their own, green beans are a very healthy and delicious food that dogs can enjoy. On Thanksgiving, casseroles are often filled with dog-dangerous ingredients like fried onions, garlic, and spices. If you have any plain green beans, feel free to share with your furry friend, but keep them away from allium-heavy casseroles.

Stuffing is a no-go for your dog. Many stuffing recipes include ingredients like mushrooms, onions, sage, leeks, chives, garlic, scallions, and peppers, which are not safe for dogs to consume. If you're giving your dog samplings of turkey, potatoes, and macaroni, he won't need any stuffing. He'll already be stuffed!

Sweet potato casserole'is another tricky dish. Sweet potatoes on their own are very good for dogs, but some recipes have ingredients that aren't safe for dogs. Don't feed your dog any sweet potato casserole with nutmeg in it. If you're not sure, don't take any risks. Also, make sure any marshmallows on top of the casserole are not made with xylitol. Xylitol is a highly toxic sweetener.

Cranberry sauce is safe for dogs to eat if there are no raisins or harmful nuts.

Alcohol is never safe for your dogs to consume.

Dessert depends on the food in question. Chocolate of any kind should be avoided for dogs, but pumpkin pie may be okay if it doesn't contain any nutmeg.

Make sure to limit the table scraps you feed your dog. Human foods are rich and high in calories, and even safe foods in high quantities can cause stomach upset. It's best to avoid table scraps in general and instead feed your dog some good kibble and healthy treats. If your dog experiences digestive issues after a holiday meal, make sure to visit your local veterinary service provider in Madison, CT.

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BRANFORD LOCATION - OPERATIONS HAVE MOVED TO MADISON AS OF DEC 2022

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East Shore's Veterinary Hospital
50 N. Main St
Branford, CT 06405
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East Shore's Animal Wellness Center
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Madison, CT 06443
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