STUFF YOUR TURKEY, NOT YOUR PET, DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON
By Stacy E. Smith

Because we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and frankly, the entire upcoming holiday season with food, pet owners are often tempted to slip their pets bits and pieces of the feast. But even a seemingly innocent indulgence can cause digestive and stomach problems. Each year, dogs and cats are fed turkey, ham, gravy and other holiday "people foods'' by well-meaning owners and wind up in a veterinarian's emergency room. It's best to give thanks for your pets by spending some extra time with them or by giving them a holiday treat made especially for pets. While dogs and cats are valued members of the family, they're still animals - not human beings. Traditional, rich holiday foods can mean, at most, a few extra pounds and maybe a nap for humans, but it presents a host of health hazards for the furry members of our family.

Skin & Bones

What people probably don't realize is that the fatty skin from the turkey can cause severe problems. Not only can fatty foods cause the usual digestive system upsets, but these foods can also trigger a pancreas inflammation. Symptoms of this condition include pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, loss of appetite and in severe instances can be fatal. Pancreas inflammation may be most likely to occur in a middle-aged, inactive, overweight dog, but it still isn’t a good idea to indulge even the youngest, healthiest dog. Ham can be especially rich in fat and can trigger a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. If your pet sneaks some ham or turkey from the table and begins showing theses symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Bones from turkey carcasses present the biggest threat to pets during the holiday season. Most people already know that turkey bones are dangerous to pets because, like other bird bones, they are hollow and can splinter into sharp pieces. The splinters can lodge in an animal’s throat or esophagus, puncture the stomach, cause blockages, or perforate the intestinal tract. A pet that has a turkey bone lodged in his digestive system may not show any symptoms for a day or two. When symptoms do occur they may include loss of appetite, depression, vomiting or diarrhea. The bone may pass by itself; other times it may need to be surgically removed.

Food Poisoning

Another ailment that can appear in pets that eat leftover turkey is salmonella food poisoning. Salmonella is an organism that lives in the turkey's intestinal tract. The cooking process usually destroys the organism, making the turkey safe to eat. Occasionally, the center of a turkey may be undercooked, especially if it's large or full of stuffing. If the meat sits out at room temperature for too long, the salmonella organisms can easily multiply and cause contamination. Pets may become poisoned if they eat any of the turkey that has been sitting out. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, a high temperature, and loss of appetite and listlessness.

The Ties that Bind

Don’t overlook that string from the turkey. The string used to tie the turkey legs is especially delicious to your cats because it's been soaking in bird juices. It's important to dispose of the string properly because it can get caught in a cat's intestine and cause a serious blockage. The carcass, twine and other materials used in cooking the turkey should be sealed in plastic and put in secure, covered containers outside the house to prevent not only your animals, but other animals from getting into the kitchen garbage.

No Sweets for the Sweet

High-fat desserts also pose a danger - especially when it comes to dogs and chocolate. Chocolate contains a stimulant which can harm a dog's heart and nervous system. An ounce of baker's chocolate has the potential to kill a 10-pound canine. The high fat and sugar content in holiday deserts aren’t good for your pets either. Baked goods should be placed up high where the animals can't get to them.

Stay Strong

It's best to keep your dog or cat strictly away from the holiday goodies. Sticking with treats made especially for your pet (either commercially or in someone’s kitchen) or sweet vegetables such as raw carrots will avoid the problem. You're going to have to resist your dog's best ‘oh-poor-me’ look and your cat's award-winning starving kitty routine and give your animals special treats made just for them. These products are not likely to cause digestive problems unless you give too many. Moderation is always the best policy when in comes to ‘extras’ for your pets, but you must completely avoid feeding them fat and poultry bones.

If you feel that you must give your pets treats during the holiday, be sure to make it exceedingly clear to your family and guests that treats should not come from the table. Explain that the pet will get his or her own special pet treat. Your pet will enjoy the holidays much more without an upset stomach or a trip to the emergency vet clinic, and so will you.