It's that time again!
Time to be tempted by all the yummy Thanksgiving treats. But, a lot of them are not safe! So please have your Mom and Dad check out this list, so you can stay safe.
Foods that are bad for us:
1. Alcohol
This has the same effect on dogs’ livers and brains as on humans’, but it doesn’t take as much to cause serious damage and can even lead to respiratory distress, tremors, coma, and death.
2. Caffeine
Desserts and other Thanksgiving dishes may call for coffee, tea, or chocolate as an ingredient, but they all contain caffeine, which can actually be fatal to us.
3. Candy
While the sugar in candy isn’t great for dogs, the sweetener xylitol, which is often used nowadays, can actually lead to liver failure, so stay away from sweets of all kind!
4. Chocolate
In addition to caffeine, chocolate contains theobromine, which can be extremely poisonous when ingested by dogs and may even result in seizures and death, so be sure not to get into any chocolate!
5. Dairy foods
Milk, cream, cheese, and butter are bad for dogs. They can cause diarrhea and other digestive disturbances as well as allergic reactions in dogs, so leave the dairy-laden foods alone this holiday season.
6. Eggnog
Loaded with fat, sugar, milk, raw eggs and alcohol, this beverage is a quintuple whammy, none of which is good for you!.
7. Garlic, onions, and chives
This group of ingredients can be found in just about anything from mashed potatoes to stuffing. But in fresh, cooked, powdered, or any other form, it can lead to damaged blood cells and anemia—don’t risk it.
8. Ham and bacon
Don't let anyone offer you a scrap of ham or bacon! Stop them in their tracks. Dishes that contain pork can cause pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening disease, in dogs.
9. Nutmeg
In significant amounts, this spice can be toxic, causing hallucinations, stomach pain, and possibly even seizures.
10. Nuts
These have a very high fat content and may contain other toxins that can result in stomach upset or other serious health complications. Macadamia nuts, in particular, when eaten in even in small amounts, can be especially toxic and result in vomiting, tremors, paralysis, rapid heartbeat, and other complications.
11. Raisins and grapes
Consuming these fruits, even in small quantities, may cause rapid kidney failure in some dogs, and fruitcakes are one holiday offering likely to contain them. If you were thinking of taking a bite, don't!
12. Salt and sugar
Salt is in almost every Thanksgiving dish. And when consumed by dogs can cause excessive thirst, urination, or worse. It’s especially detrimental to dogs with underlying kidney or cardiovascular conditions. Meanwhile, the sugar found in most holiday desserts can fuel cavities, obesity, and even diabetes. It’s also bad for dogs with arthritis.
13. Turkey Bones
Bones can perforate the intestines, sometimes even requiring surgery. So don't even think about going near the trash or table!
So what Thanksgiving foods ARE good for us?
Cooked sweet potatoes (minus any additional ingredients), baked potatoes, pumpkin purée, cucumbers, carrots (steamed or raw), steamed green beans or greens, unsweetened cranberries, bananas, and apples are all good choices—and not just at
Thanksgiving. They are highly nutritious and will allow you to participate in the feast while remaining happy and healthy!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Speck
Speck the Blogging Dog © Chrissie Ratliff 2013-2017 all rights reserved
