Yea!!! Four days until Turkey Day!!!
You might wonder why this is the title for an entry that exists on a blog written about dogs and dogs’ lives, but Thanksgiving is a family holiday. It is also an eating holiday with many types of special foods around. Since dogs are so much a part of our lives, traditions and celebrations, it is natural to want them to enjoy table scraps of the many delicious treats that will be abundant in our kitchens and dining rooms during the next week (and really for the next 6 weeks, including Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, and New Years!)
However, many of the great foods that we enjoy are dangerous for our dogs and can cause severe injury, illness and even death. There will be no sadder holiday than one where because of what the dog ingested, he becomes severly ill.
We all love sweets, especially chocolates and most people know that chocolate can cause severe health risks to the dogs, but why? Usually, the darker the chocolate, the more chance there is for poisoning. Chocolate usually contains high quantities of both fat and caffienelike substances known as methylxanthine and theobromine. The fatty substances can cause vomiting and diarrhea, because it is difficult for dogs to digest these types of food. The other ingredients can cause restlessness, panting, twitching and may even lead to seizures.
Foods that we consider good for us including grapes and raisins are deadly for dogs. There is a certain amount of alcohol in those fruits as well as macadamia nuts, onions and garlic. Too much of the garlic and onions can cause a breakdown in red blood cells that lead to anemia and too many grapes and raisins can lead to alcohol poisoning that can cause kidney failure. While kidney failure, can be reversed, it is not always successful and if the animal lives, he can surely suffer.
Very fatty foods, like turkey skin can lead to pancreatitis which is extremely painful and often deadly for dogs. Their stomachs can get bloated, distended and they would require immediate medical attention.
So skip feeding your pup from the feast above. Make sure he/she remains safe and sound and have some dog safe treats ready for the big holiday!!!
For some great holiday cooking ideas and recipes, for you, not your dog check out http://www.elementarychef.com/
January 30th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
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