Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
Thanksgiving should feel cozy and calm for everyone in the house, including your pets. Between rich foods, guests coming and going, and festive décor, the day can introduce real risks. Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital + Urgent Care shares these Thanksgiving pet safety tips so you can celebrate with confidence and know when to seek help if something goes wrong.
Holiday Foods to Keep Off the Menu
Thanksgiving is a feast, but many of our traditional holiday staples pose a serious threat to our pets. Several common foods are outright toxic, while others can trigger dangerous and painful conditions like severe stomach upset or even life-threatening pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).
To keep your pets safe, please be diligent about keeping all plates and leftovers out of reach. Additionally, politely remind all guests that they should never share any food with your pets, especially the items listed below:
- Chocolate: Contains methylxanthines that can cause vomiting, restlessness, abnormal heart rhythm, or seizures. Dark baking chocolate is especially dangerous.
- Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks: Allium plants can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats.
- Grapes and raisins: Can lead to acute kidney failure, even in small amounts.
- Xylitol (aka: birch sugar, wood sugar, birch bark, sugar alcohol- in sugar-free desserts): Causes a rapid insulin spike and life-threatening hypoglycemia.
- Fatty foods (skin, drippings, gravy, butter, bacon): High-fat bites are a common trigger for pancreatitis.
- Turkey bones: Cooked bones splinter and may cause choking, mouth injuries, or intestinal obstruction.
When in doubt, stick to a pet’s regular diet and approved treats. If your pet eats something questionable, call right away. Early guidance can prevent a minor mishap from becoming an emergency.
Hosting Hazards Beyond the Table
Thanksgiving excitement brings nonfood risks, too. A little prep keeps your celebration safe and stress-free.
- Decorations: Tinsel, string, ribbons, and breakable ornaments are tempting to bat or chew and may cause GI obstruction or cuts. Keep candles, potpourri, and essential oils out of reach.
- Doors & guests: With frequent comings and goings, pets can slip out. Use baby gates or put them in a closed, quiet room with water, a bed, and toys.
- Trash: Secure lids; discarded items such as skewers, string, corn cobs, and bones can be dangerous.
- Plants & alcohol: Certain seasonal plants and unattended drinks are unsafe for pets.
Walk through your space before guests arrive and set up a “safe zone.” A few barriers and clear house rules go a long way toward preventing accidents.
Signs Your Pet Needs Urgent Care
Call for same-day attention if you notice:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood, or a swollen, painful belly
- Restlessness, pacing, or collapse
- Trouble breathing or blue/pale gums
- Inability to urinate or straining without producing urine
- Seizures or sudden disorientation
- Suspected ingestion of toxic substances, bones, or string-like items
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s better to get professional advice early.
How Our Urgent Care Helps During the Holidays
At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital + Urgent Care, we offer same-day and next-day urgent care appointments with extended hours to make help accessible when you need it most. Please call or text ahead so our team can prepare for your pet’s specific needs.
A Safer, Happier Thanksgiving Starts With a Plan
With a few guardrails—no table scraps, secured décor, supervised doors—you’ll reduce the most common holiday risks and keep your pet comfortable. If trouble pops up, help is close by. For guidance or an urgent care appointment, call (916) 624-7387. We’re here to support you and your pets through the holiday and beyond.