Thanksgiving is just a week away, and while we all prepare for a holiday chock-full traditions to be thankful for, we wanted to turn your attention to a few pet dangers associated with the holiday. While Turkey Day is a joyful time for pet parents and friends, it’s also prime time for well-meaning guests to slip high-fat human foods under the table to four-legged family members.
And while Fido and Fluffy are surely grateful for the rich treats, those stealthy snacks can end up costing your pets a trip to the vet and can put pets at risk for a calamitous condition: pancreatitis. Inflammation of the pancreas can occur when your pet’s daily diet of blander fare is interrupted by huge, high-fat, high-calorie helpings. That inflammation can lead to symptoms like nausea and vomiting or more serious consequences like organ failure. While it may seem silly to think just one meal could do such damage, it’s not out of the question — especially if your pup is chowing down on buttery potatoes, gravy-drenched turkey thigh and sugary sweet potato pie.
In fact, while the average poisoning vet hospital bill is $500, the average ingestion cost during Thanksgiving weekend is $944 — that’s a whole lot of stuffing! If you’re wondering what foods are safe for your four-legged friend, you can check out this comprehensive pet poison guide, “Eat This, Not That!” PetPlan has also created a go-to guide to help your pets enjoy their own Thanksgiving treats with fun recipes to whip up for your furry friends.