Pet Safety Alert: Overeating during Thanksgiving can be serious for pets too!

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 feast, 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 dining 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. If your pet is not acting like himself or herself, consult your veterinarian. Your best friend could be seriously ill.

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, he or she is only 1/6th 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 furry friend can make him or her feel miserable.

Instead of giving your companion animal leftovers, stop by a pet food store and purchase some new dog biscuits or cat treats. Then, reduce the amount of their regular meal to accommodate the treats they will be getting throughout the day. Remember, biscuits and treats are usually much higher in calories than regular pet food so having them skip dinner may be a prudent choice if they have been snacking all day. Your pet will be thankful and they will enjoy the holiday much more.

If you are planning a quiet holiday at home without a lot of company and chaos, and you don’t already have a dog or cat to share your life with, this could be the perfect time to visit any of our six Los Angeles City Shelters. You can get him or her settled in while you have a couple of days off work. What better way to give thanks than to give an orphaned pet a home? You will be repaid with unconditional love and laughs for years to come.

To find the shelter closest to you, visit LAAnimalServices.com/shelters or call (888) 452-7381.