Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe During The Holidays

The holidays are coming quickly. If you are having company over or traveling, your pets will be exposed to so much.

Dr. Rebekah Hartfield is a veterinarian in Holdenville. She joined us to talk about helping your pets handle the holiday, specifically when it comes to food.

How can I protect my pet from getting sick?

The biggest issue is to keep all of the food on the table. You have to watch any kids who might toss your pet their food as treats. But things on the table can lead to what's called pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas. Many of our foods are too fatty for dogs and they can't process that fat like people can. So it can lead to things like pancreatitis and some other other issues. If you really want to feed your pet on Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can make some special treats for them that are healthy. If you know your dog is a beggar and wants to be at the table, you might want to find a nice comfy place for them in your home to keep them from being wild while everyone's having their feast.

Can my pet have turkey or chicken bones?

Turkey bones or chicken bones will almost always end up with your pet in the emergency room. It's important to keep that sort of trash away or put your pet somewhere safe during the holidays so that they don't get into it.

What simple treats can I give my pet?

Apples and peanut butter are great treats your pet can have around the holiday or any time. However, you have to be careful with the type of peanut butter. Pets should not have peanut butter that contains xylitol, which is an ingredient in some sugar free peanut butters.

What signs should I look for in my pet if there's a problem?

Behavior changes like hiding if they're in pain is one sign to look for. The biggest symptoms are going to be vomiting or diarrhea. That can be a big sign that they ate something that they weren't supposed to.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Dr. Hartfield.