Today, in the United States, we are celebrating the secular holiday we call Thanksgiving.
It is a fun holiday for me full of food and smells and family. I am busy right now making vegan pumpkin pie and marinating the tofurky. But Thanksgiving is also one of those holidays where I look at the people and things in my life, and take stock of that for which I am most thankful.
I am thankful for a year of blogging which has allowed me to meet YOU. You, the wonderful people out there in cyberspace. I have met your families and your pets; you’ve shown me your pictures, read me your poems, and most of all, you allowed me to experience your life through your blogs. Thank you from the bottom of our DogDaz heart.
I don’t know about at your house, but my animals always get a little to much people food today, as do the people. So, as you are getting ready to sit down to the dinner table, here are some tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.
Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough
Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
lisalday111711
November 22, 2012 at 01:57
Please my post titled “Sticks and Stones” to avoid a stick disaster with your dog and plese share it with all your dog friends
http://whymerainyday.wordpress.com
dogdaz
November 22, 2012 at 06:43
So sorry for her pain. Glad she is healing
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:58
Hope doggies is doing better today.
Genevieve Petrillo
November 22, 2012 at 03:13
Great advice! I’ll be out at a restaurant, so there will be nothing here to tempt Cupcake. She will stay on her regular diet with a few extra treats. Have a wonderful day! xo
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:56
It is always nice when someone else cooks. Cupcake will like a few extra anythings.
jmgoyder
November 22, 2012 at 04:27
Thank YOU!!!
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:55
🙂
Basil
November 22, 2012 at 04:40
Have a lovely tofurky day!!
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:55
The Tofurky (with a stuffing center) was absolutely perfect. Thanks
themisadventuresofmisaki
November 22, 2012 at 06:24
Excellent advice!
Have a great thanksgiving xx
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:55
We love Turkey scraps
Tya Khan
November 22, 2012 at 08:04
Happy Thanksgiving to you :))
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:54
Thank Tya
catfromhell
November 22, 2012 at 11:15
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from us and ours!
kisses
Nellie
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:54
Thanks 🙂
Mag (Chancy's Mumsy)
November 22, 2012 at 12:04
Very good advice!! We are thankful for you too and happy you are our blogging friends, we love your blog. Happy Thanksgiving! Hugs and nose kisses
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:53
Thanks 🙂
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
November 22, 2012 at 20:58
Happy Thanksgiving!
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:52
Gooble Gooble 🙂
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
November 25, 2012 at 20:11
🙂
tinykitchenstories
November 23, 2012 at 15:00
Thank you for your blog! It’s always a cheerful moment in my day. Happy T-Day weekend!
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:41
Thanks tinyk, we are glad to make you smile.
bumpyroadtobubba
November 23, 2012 at 21:10
We’re thankful for you guys too – we love sharing your blog! Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving.
dogdaz
November 24, 2012 at 07:41
Thanks, we did.