Second Chance: Thanksgiving Food & Pets!

07 Nov Second Chance: Thanksgiving Food & Pets!

For 30+ years, the Animal Resource Center and Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been serving Ouray, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties. Adoption hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org.

“Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.”

View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.

Please reach out to our dog den staff with any questions about these deserving dogs. animalcare@secondchancehumane.org

Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432. 

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

Now that the Halloween candy is eaten or put away, our focus turns to the next celebration: Thanksgiving. While we think about family, feasting, and togetherness, don’t forget the four-legged members of your home.

Overeating is a Thanksgiving tradition – that should not be shared with your pets. A few wisely selected treats are fine, but your dog or cat should not eat significantly more than usual.

Pancreatitis or bloat can happen if a pet overindulges in food. Pancreatitis can be caused by fatty or spicy foods, especially table scraps, and can be deadly if left untreated. Food bloat occurs when your friend’s gut expands rapidly to account for a large volume of food consumed quickly. They will have a distended stomach that’s firm to the touch. They may also be vomiting nonstop, pacing, panting or dry heaving, and excessive drooling.

People food is not always safe for dogs and cats. The following is a guide for turkey day favorites:

Turkey white meat is safe (but skin and bones are not).

Most gravy contains onion and/or garlic, which is toxic for dogs and cats. If you’ve made the gravy, and are sure it doesn’t contain onion or garlic, do not give them a taste. Any bigger servings could make your pet sick to the stomach or worse because of the high-fat content.

Most vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and sweet potato, are safe as long as they were not prepared with onions or garlic or lots of butter, salt, or other seasonings.

Mashed potato is not safe, as it usually contains too much milk. Sweet potato or yams are okay as long as they are not full of sugar and spices. And steer clear of marshmallows!

Cranberry sauce is off-limits due to its high sugar content. However, in moderation, plain cranberries are ok for pets.

Stuffing is not usually safe (again, those onions). Not only is stuffing generally spicey, but it sometimes contains raisins and currants, which are  toxic for pets even in small quantities.

Bread dough is not safe either. Raw yeast dough will expand and create carbon dioxide in your pet’s stomach, causing life-threatening bloat. Baked bread in very small bites is okay as long as it’s not buttered or jellied.

Plain pumpkin is safe, but pumpkin pie is not. A little plain pumpkin makes for a nice healthy pet snack that is full of nutrients and fiber. On the other hand, pumpkin pie isn’t safe. That is way too sweet!

Most desserts are not safe as they contain too much sugar, fat, and often the sugar substitute xylitol, which is toxic for both cats and dogs.

If you’re having a cheese platter, you can give your pet a small amount of cheese. However not too much because of the fat content.

All of us at Second Chance hope you, your family, and your pets have a safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Garfield

And please note. We would be especially thankful if our dear Garfield found his family. He is a young, big fluffy orange tabby who adores all the attention he can get! He will meow quietly at you like he’s having a conversation and loves to welcome anyone into a room with his tiny meow.