Holiday Treats

Thanksgiving is the time of year when family and friends get together to enjoy each other’s company and a myriad of delicious foods. We have a tendency to include our four-legged family members in this fest, which often results in overindulgence. Even when we don’t purposely include them, the agile and creative dog or cat can capture a special treat from the kitchen counter, trash or even the dinning room table!

Thanksgiving weekend is also a busy time for emergency veterinary clinics. Dogs and cats suffer very serious and sometimes fatal consequences from turkey bones, too much rich and fatty foods and just plain overeating. Turkey bones can cause blockages or internal punctures, and symptoms may not appear for days. Excessive amounts of rich and fatty foods can lead to serious and painful pancreatitis, and overeating can cause gastritis, a very inflamed digestive tract. If your pet is not acting like herself, consult your veterinarian. Your best friend could be seriously ill.

It is difficult to comprehend, but when giving pets treats you must consider the relative size of their body compared to yours. If you weigh 150 pounds and your dog weighs 25 pounds, she is only 1/6 of your total weight. If you visualize yourself as a whole pie, comparatively your dog is only one slice of pie. Consequently, sharing an unfinished plate that still holds a generous serving of mashed potatoes with gravy, a side of very rich dressing, a few bites of turkey and a small slice of pumpkin pie with your best friend can make her feel miserable.

You do want your pets to enjoy the holiday. Stop by a pet food store and purchase some new dog biscuits or cat treats and then reduce the amount of his regular meal to accommodate the treats he will be getting throughout the day. Remember, biscuits and treats are usually much higher in calories than regular pet food so having him skip dinner may be a prudent choice if he has been snacking all day.

Some people enjoy cooking for their dog and cat while they are cooking for the rest of the family. You can pick up a recipe book just for companion animals at the book store, or just type “homemade pet treat recipes” into your favorite web search engine for a lot of interesting choices.

If you are planning a quiet holiday at home without a lot of company and confusion, and you don’t already have a dog or cat to share your life, this could be the perfect time to visit your local shelter and fall in love with your new best friend. You can get him settled in while you have a couple of days off work. After all, in the words of Nobel Prize winning author, Anatole France, "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

 
Founded in 1965, Pets In Need receives no federal, state or local government support.

Published in the San Mateo County Times, November 23, 2002