Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Many of us are looking forward to celebrating the autumn holiday with our loved ones, and perhaps partaking in some personal traditions and customs. As it turns out, our canine buddies have a few traditions of their own! A Southern Utah veterinarian lists some of the things on Fido’s schedule in this article.
This one may need to happen before the holiday. A good bath and/or brushing is definitely in order. You want your guests greeted by a clean, fresh-smelling pooch!
Before everyone comes over, take your canine companion for a long walk. This will help him burn off his excess energy, so he’ll be calmer after. Plus, it’s a good way to enjoy the peace and quiet of a holiday morning.
There are many things to be thankful for dogs for. One of the big ones is the way Fido always lets us know if there is someone at the door. If your furry friend gets agitated when people come over, put him in a separate room with bedding, food, water, and perhaps a new toy as people are coming and going.
Your four-legged buddy will definitely take note of all that delicious food! Fido may be more than willing to help sample those mouth-watering dishes. Occupy him by giving him a special treat or a new toy, so he isn’t underfoot. You don’t want him tripping someone or knocking into you as you’re handling steaming-hot dishes.
Man’s Best Friend is very, very good at making that sad-puppy expression that is so effective at opening our hearts … and getting us to share food. This can be cute, but it’s bad manners. It can also be dangerous, as someone could give your four-legged pal something unsafe. You may want to keep Fido in a separate area during dinner.
Fido definitely deserves a yummy meal! Just be careful to only offer him safe foods. Turkey is fine, though you’ll want to remove the skin, bones, and fat first. Don’t give your dog anything that isn’t safe. That list includes grapes, currants, and raisins; garlic or onions; chocolate; nuts; avocado; meat on the bone; raw dough; mushrooms; alcohol; caffeine; or xylitol. Ask your vet for more information.
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Cedar Veterinary Clinic, your Southern Utah animal hospital. Call us anytime!
