Thanksgiving For Dogs

Everyone loves Thanksgiving!  As your house fills with the savory aroma of turkey and the sounds of football, the doorbell rings and your guests begin to pour through your front door.  Your precious pup trots quietly to the door and sits obediently by your side.

Well—that may not be a realistic picture of the way your pet greets guests on this special holiday, but it is possible to work towards this type of behavior. There are a few key ways to make sure that this Thanksgiving is happy and healthy for everyone—your family dog included.

Remember that your pet is a social creature and seeks affection and appreciation from the whole family.  Working with your pet on simple obedience commands like “sit”, “stay”, “down”, and “leave it” prior to the holiday season and reinforcing a pet’s good behavior with a healthy all-natural treat, makes it much less likely they will act out negatively and put a damper on the celebration.

During a holiday party, pets may not understand why their usually quiet home is now full of noise.  Provide your pet with a quiet retreat, complete with a clean bowl of water, and a few of their favorite low-fat, all-natural meat snacks, and they will feel right at home.
As you and your family sit down to give thanks and enjoy a delicious feast, you may be tempted to sneak your pup a few bites of food under the table.  Sharing a handful of turkey skin or a slice of pumpkin pie can seem innocent, but these high-fat table scraps may cause your dog severe gastrointestinal distress.  To avoid this, remember: Stuff the turkey and not the dog! Also remember to avoid giving poultry bones to your pet, as they splinter easily and can get lodged in their mouth or throat.

With a little positively-reinforced training leading up to the holiday and a few healthy tips to remember on the day, you will ensure your pet will be invited to the next family dinner and that a festive Thanksgiving holiday is enjoyed by all!

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