With Thanksgiving coming up quickly, many people are making preparations for the autumn holiday. If you are hosting this year’s feast, your canine pal may very well be paying close attention. If you have a large dog, you’ll want to take some extra precautions to make sure everything goes smoothly. Read on as a local Anderson, IN vet discusses spending Thanksgiving with a pooch that is larger than life.
Decorations
Keep your furry companion in mind as you are decorating. Big dogs can choke on things like wreaths or garlands. You also don’t want Fido knocking a candle over!
Petiquette
Obedience training is important for all dogs, but it’s particularly important with large breeds. If Fido tends to jump on or bark at everyone who comes over, you may have your hands full on the holiday. You don’t want your giant pet bowling your grandmother over, or knocking that casserole out of your aunt’s hands! Teach your furry pal to sit quietly when the doorbell rings. If your pup doesn’t have this figured out by the big day, put him in a back room with food, toys, treats, and bedding. This may also be a good option if your canine friend has bad habits, like pawing people or jumping into their laps.
Exercise
Before your visitors arrive, tire Fido out with a long walk and a fun play session. As the saying says, tired dogs are good dogs!
Food
You can give your pup a special snack, as long as you choose safe options. Plain, cooked meat, fish, or poultry, with the skin, bones, and fat removed, is fine. Never give Fido meat on the bone, raw dough or yeast, alcohol, caffeine, nuts, chocolate, pitted fruits, or anything containing xylitol. Grapes, currants, and raisins also make the unsafe foods list, as do garlic, onions, scallions, and chives.
Training
At Thanksgiving, there is also a concern that Fido may snatch up something that has fallen to the floor. Consider teaching your pup the command to Drop It or Leave It.
Trash
Man’s Best Friend isn’t above digging through the garbage. This can be a dangerous habit, as the trash could contain things like toothpicks, bones, fat trimmings, tin foil, and can lids. Use a trashcan with a secure lid.
Happy Thanksgiving! Please feel free to contact us, your Anderson, IN vet clinic, anytime. We’re here to help!
