3 Thanksgiving Safety Tips For Your Cat
As the holiday season gets into gear, it's important to make sure that you're taking the proper precautions to ensure the safety of your favorite feline friend. Your family gathering around the Thanksgiving turkey could pose some unexpected dangers to your cat. Take a look at some Thanksgiving tips that will help keep your cat safe this year.
Avoid Sharing Table Scraps With Your Cat
If your cat is perched by your chair, looking up at you in hopes of a treat from the table, it can be easy to give in, even if you don't normally give your cat table food. After all, it's a holiday—shouldn't your pet enjoy it too?
The problem is that many of the dishes on your Thanksgiving table are likely to be bad for your cat. Rich, fatty foods can cause stomach pains and other problems. Onions, garlic, shallots, and scallions—common ingredients in Thanksgiving staples like stuffing—are toxic to cats and can cause severe anemia. Raisins, which can be found in stuffing, puddings, and fruit cakes, just to name a few dishes, can cause sudden kidney failure in cats. It's safer to keep the food that's prepared and seasoned for humans away from your cat. Pick up some special cat treats just for the holiday instead.
Make Sure Your Cat Is Wearing a Collar and Tags
It's fun to see your relatives and friends who live far away arriving at your house for a Thanksgiving feast. It's not so fun to realize that your cat has slipped out while someone was coming in or going out. Lost pets are a common occurrence during holiday gatherings because of the frequent coming and going.
Make sure to make all your guests aware that your cat is not allowed outdoors (or is only allowed out of the door leading to a fenced-in area). Just in case, make sure that your cat is wearing a collar and tags. This will increase the chances of your pet being returned to you if they escape. If you've been thinking about having your pet microchipped, do it before the holidays.
Don't Leave the Turkey Carcass Out
After a big meal and a busy visit with your loved ones, it's understandable if you don't feel like cleaning everything up right away. But make sure that you at least cover the leftovers so that your cat can't get into them, and don't leave the turkey carcass out for your cat to find.
A fresh turkey carcass might seem like a great treat to your cat, but it can actually be very dangerous. Cooked poultry bones break and splinter easily. Your cat could choke or swallow splinters, which can cause intestinal perforations.
Check with your veterinarian to find out if there's an emergency number to call if your cat gets sick during the holiday when the office is closed. With a little preparation, you and your cat can have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.
Check out websites like http://www.kenmorevet.com to learn more about maintaining your pet's health.
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