Press Room

Thanksgiving is a very special time of the year. Celebrating this holiday means enjoying delicious food and quality time with loved ones. Being off from work also means getting extra time with your dog.

Just be aware that whether you're hosting a Thanksgiving meal or traveling to enjoy one, there are five common foods that are quite dangerous to dogs:

1. Sage

Sage is commonly used to flavor turkey, stuffing, and other Thanksgiving dishes. Just be sure to keep it and any food it's used on away from your dog. Sage includes essential oils that can cause significant indigestion in dogs.

2. Nuts

Walnuts and macadamia nuts are often found in Thanksgiving treats. Despite their small size, these nuts are very dangerous for dogs. Within 12 hours of ingesting these nuts, a dog can experience tremors, vomiting, and difficulty standing. If a dog does eat any nuts, it's important to visit an emergency vet right away.

3. Cooked Bones

Although a cooked bone may seem like the perfect Thanksgiving treat for a dog, it actually presents a significant danger. Countless dogs have suffered serious internal problems as a result of bones splintering. Instead of giving your dog a cooked bone, you can give your pet a healthy chew treat to munch on.

4. Nutmeg

Both pumpkin and sweet potatoes are safe for dogs to eat in reasonable amounts. The only caveat is if either of those foods are seasoned with nutmeg. Even a small amount of nutmeg can cause a dog to have an upset stomach, and larger amounts of nutmeg can be toxic to the point of causing seizures.

5. Alcohol

It's common for dogs to like the taste of alcohol. But that doesn't mean beer or any other type of alcohol is good for a dog. Vomiting, racing heartbeat, and elevated temperature are all issues that a dog can face after consuming a relatively small amount of alcohol.

Turkey skin, sage, nuts, cooked bones, nutmeg and alcohol are all common Thanksgiving foods to keep away from your dog. If you want to ensure your pet has great food and healthy treats to enjoy throughout the holiday season, all you need to do is find your local Pet Wants location.