How To Keep Your Pets Happy And Healthy At Thanksgiving  by alexandra on 27 Nov 2014 | No Comment It is such a wonderful time of the year. Families come together, ovens are working overtime and the kids are running around the house. It's the time to show gratitude for all you are fortunate to have, and for some this might be their pet. It's for this reason you need to keep an eye on your pet during the holidays, as it is easy to get carried away giving them special treats and scraps of food they might not normally be allowed to have. Here are some tips on how to keep your pet happy and healthy during Thanksgiving. If you are one of the lucky few to be enjoying a beautiful white Thanksgiving, make sure your pet is kept warm and their sleeping quarters are in a cozy spot of the house away from cold drafts. You may consider a heating pad during these chilly days. If you have a fire burning or have the heaters on, ensure your pet does not fall asleep too close so they do not burn. Additionally, just because it's cold outside, it doesn't mean your pet is exempt from exercise. It's important to keep to your pets regular exercise routine, as chances are they'll have been indulging in extra treats, so a good walk, run and play outdoors will do them some good.  At this time of year, we get to indulge in delicious holiday meals and special treats, which may lead to you or your loved ones sharing with your pet. While this sounds like a lovely gesture, it's important to avoid this at all costs. Avoid giving your pets cooked bones, as these can break as your pet eats them and cause havok on his or her digestive systems which may lead to them needing surgery. If you are going to feed your pet bones, make sure they are raw, as these are great for their teeth and they just LOVE them.   Avoid feeding them any kind of stuffing, as often stuffing contains, onions, grapes or raisins which can cause discomfort and digestive problems. Onions can destroy your dog or cats red blood cells and too much of it can lead to anemia, while grapes and raisins contain toxins which can cause kidney damage.  Dogs are not the only ones that can't have chocolate- it is just as toxic for cats. Be dilligent and avoid giving them any chocolate treats - make sure you remind your children and any guests too. Keep an eye on any chocolate left around the house, because if there's someone that will find it and eat it, it's your pet. If your dog or cat happens to have a chocolate party on their own, make sure you get them to the vet as soon as possible. Remember to be careful with your garbage. Ensure it is closed properly or you know who will go digging for leftovers, bones and anything that picks their fancy. Not only will this create a terrible mess for you, it could also mean your furry friend  injesting something they shouldn't like plastic wrap, aluminium foil or other materials. These could cause blockages in their digestive systems and that is obviously something you want to avoid. Luckily, it's not all bad news! There are some ways to show your pets some love this Thanksgiving! Why not try out our recipe for Thanksgiving Turkey Medallions. Remember these should not replace meals but are treats for both cats and dogs. Thanksgiving Turkey Medallions What you need 6 oz. turkey meat 1/2 cup of cooked carrots 1/2 cup of cooked rice What to do 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees 2. Food process the turkey and carrots until smooth then add the rice. 3. Roll mixture into balls and put on a non-stick cooking sheet. 4. Bake for 15 minutes. Wait until they are cool to serve. Happy Thanksgiving!    Feature Image Credit Comment(s)0 Join the Conversation Name* * Please enter your name. Email * Email address will not be published Please enter a valid email address. Comment * Please enter your comment. Security Code 'Please enter security code. Submit