November Blog
Because our four-legged family members deserve a happy, healthy Thanksgiving, too!
Thanksgiving is a time for family, delicious food, and making wonderful memories. And if you share your home with a dog, you know those curious noses and hopeful eyes will be right there when the holiday feast begins!
At Barktails, we believe our furry family members deserve to be part of the celebration. But with all the excitement, tempting treats, and visiting guests, a little extra care can go a long way toward keeping Thanksgiving safe and enjoyable for everyone.
🦃A Little Taste of Thanksgiving
Who can resist those pleading puppy eyes when the turkey comes out of the oven?
The good news is that dogs can enjoy a few Thanksgiving favorites — as long as they're prepared safely and served in moderation.
Dog-friendly holiday treats include:
- Turkey: A small portion of plain, fully cooked, boneless, skinless turkey without seasoning, butter, or gravy.
- Pumpkin: Plain cooked pumpkin or 100% pure pumpkin purée, without added sugar or spices.
- Sweet potatoes: Plain, fully cooked sweet potatoes without butter, sugar, or marshmallows.
- Green beans: Plain, cooked green beans without salt, butter, or seasoning.
- Carrots: Plain, bite-sized cooked carrots make a simple holiday treat.
Remember, even safe foods can upset a dog's stomach if introduced suddenly or served in large portions. A small taste is plenty!
🚫Holiday Foods Best Kept Off the Menu
Not everything on our Thanksgiving table belongs in a dog's bowl. Some holiday favorites can be harmful or even toxic to our furry companions.
Keep these foods safely out of reach:
- Cooked turkey bones: They can splinter and cause choking or serious internal injuries.
- Onions, garlic, and chives: Common ingredients in stuffing, gravy, and casseroles that are toxic to dogs.
- Grapes and raisins: Even small amounts can cause serious kidney injury.
- Chocolate: Contains substances that are toxic to dogs.
- Xylitol (also called birch sugar): A sweetener sometimes found in sugar-free desserts and other products that can be extremely dangerous.
- Rich, fatty foods: Turkey skin, buttery dishes, and gravy can cause digestive upset and may trigger pancreatitis.
- Alcohol and unbaked yeast dough: Both can cause serious medical emergencies.
🏡A Safe Space for Holiday Guests
Thanksgiving often means a house full of family, friends, laughter, and activity. While some dogs love being the center of attention, others may find all that excitement overwhelming.
Consider creating a cozy retreat with your dog's favorite bed, blanket, toys, and fresh water.
If your pup prefers a quieter celebration, that's perfectly okay! Giving them a peaceful place to relax is another way of showing how much you care.
And remember to remind guests, especially children, to respect your dog's space and avoid offering table scraps without permission.
🚪Watch Those Doors!
With guests arriving and leaving, doors may be opening more frequently than usual. Even a normally well-behaved dog might slip outside when everyone is distracted.
Before the festivities begin, make sure your dog's collar and identification tags are secure and that their microchip contact information is current.
For dogs who tend to rush toward open doors, a separate room or secured pet gate can provide an extra layer of protection.
🐾Keep Their Routine Familiar
Between preparing dinner, entertaining guests, and enjoying the holiday, it's easy for our usual schedules to change. But dogs often find comfort in familiar routines.
Try to maintain regular feeding times, bathroom breaks, walks, and rest periods whenever possible.
A little normalcy can help your pup feel comfortable even when the house is full of excitement.
💕A Thanksgiving Full of Love
At Barktails, we're thankful for every wagging tail, every happy greeting, and every furry friend who becomes part of our extended family.
Whether your dog is enjoying a quiet holiday at home, celebrating with visiting relatives, or spending time with their Barktails friends, what matters most is that they feel safe, comfortable, and loved.
From our Barktails family to yours, we wish you and your four-legged companions a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with warmth, happiness, and plenty of tail wags!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Michelle & the Barktails Team