Keep your pets safe this Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a joyous time where you can spend time with friends and take a much-needed break from work. It’s also a time where your feline friend or canine companion can enjoy more love and attention. However, during Thanksgiving, you have to be cautious. Holiday food and pets don’t mix. It’s already dangerous for people to indulge in too much food, let alone a pet. Here at MCAH, our top priority is to keep your pets as healthy as possible. Not only is this achievable through regularly scheduled visits, but there are many precautions that pet owners can take outside of trips to the vet. Keep reading for some tips on how to keep your pets safe this Thanksgiving!
How to Prevent Food Poisoning
Never feed your pet(s) fatty foods. Not only do fatty foods take a toll on people, but they are tough for a pet to digest. Poultry bones could cause damage to your pet’s digestive system. Holiday sweets sometimes have harmful ingredients in them that could end up damaging your pet’s health. Here are some tips that can help to prevent food poisoning:
- Never let food fall off the table
- Don’t feed your feline friend or canine companion sweets
- Yeast dough can cause your pet to bloat
- Hide the trash from your pet(s), so they won’t eat from it
- Keep decorative plants and decorations out of reach
If your pet ends up suffering from food poisoning, then we recommend the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Calls to this service are free for pet owners who have an active membership with Home Again microchip services. We use Home Again microchips here at MCAH, and the first year of membership is included in the microchip fee. Pet owners are responsible for renewing their memberships. Regardless of what brand of microchip is used, anyone can sign up for a Home Again membership.
How to Prepare for Traveling
Traveling often happens during Thanksgiving, and it’s natural to want to take your pet with you wherever you go. If your pet is traveling cross-country, then talk to one of our veterinarians about a health certificate. Also, depending on what breed your pet is, travel may not be appropriate. Our veterinarians specialize in this department, so never hesitate to reach out. Other tips that we recommend are never leaving a pet alone in a car and making sure that they are always restrained while the car is in motion. Finally, always remember to pack pet food, medications, and medical records in case of an emergency.
Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, We’ll Treat Your Pets Like Family!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!