Thanksgiving With Fido

Thanksgiving is coming up quickly! Dogs are certainly something to be thankful for! Keep your furry best friend in mind as you make preparations for the autumn holiday. Read on as a local Brampton, ON vet offers tips on enjoying Turkey Day with Fido.

Guests

Man’s Best Friend is cute, charming, and lovable, but he isn’t perfect. If Fido has some bad habits, like begging or jumping on people, start working on his petiquette right away. You may also want to consider putting your pooch in his crate or a quiet bedroom with bedding, toys, and treats during the meal and as people are arriving.

Traveling

Are you and your canine buddy going somewhere else for the holiday? Make sure Fido is microchipped, wearing ID tags, and current on vaccinations and parasite control. You’ll also need to confirm your pet’s accommodations. If you’re flying, you’ll need to look into the airline’s policies as well. Keep in mind that flying is stressful for dogs: your pooch may be better off being boarded for a few days.

Food

Fido will definitely pay close attention when those yummy meals start coming out of the oven. If you want to offer your pup a special snack, give him some plain, cooked meat, fish, or poultry, without the skin, bones, and fat. Sweet potato is also fine. Just be careful not to give your canine pal anything that isn’t safe for him. Some foods on the no-no list include garlic, onions, scallions, and chives; nuts; chocolate; caffeine; alcohol; grapes, currants, and raisins; pitted fruits, especially avocado; meat on the bone; and raw dough or yeast; and anything containing xylitol. For a comprehensive guide on keeping your pet safe during the holiday, check out our Thanksgiving Pet Safety article.

Presentation

Give Fido a bath before the holiday, and trim his nails. You don’t want your friends and family members being greeted by a stinky dog!

Playtime!

Is your canine companion a four-legged bundle of energy? Tire Fido out with a long walk and play session before dinner. Your pup will be calmer—and less energetic—after a good doggy workout.

Relaxing

After dinner, take your furry friend for a stroll and walk off some of that delicious food. Later, you may want to relax with Fido, and watch some TV while that food coma wears off. Dogs make great napping buddies!

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Dixie Road Pet Clinic, your Brampton, ON animal hospital. For all your pet’s health needs, including holiday-related concerns, don’t hesitate to explore our veterinary services. Please contact us anytime!