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Is Thanksgiving dinner at your house this year?

If so, you’ll want to be sure it's a safe place for your pets. Making time to care for the emotional and physical needs of your cats and dogs will relieve their stress (and yours) making the holiday more fun for everyone. So don’t be a turkey, follow these tips for a pet safe Thanksgiving!

Know which Thanksgiving foods are safe for your pet to eat

Thanksgiving food is yummy, but make no bones about it, people food can be dangerous for pets. Remember to pay attention while prepping and don’t leave food within paws reach.

Safe food your pets can eat on Thanksgiving

• Well cooked, boneless turkey
• Sweet and mashed potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Green beans
• Cranberries
• Apples
• Carrots

(These veggies are okay in small amounts as long as they weren't prepared with dairy, butter or seasonings.)

Keep these Thanksgiving foods away from furry family members

• Undercooked turkey
• Turkey bones and skin
• Gravy
• Bread dough
• Raw eggs
• Cranberry sauce
• Stuffing (onions, raisins and grapes)
• Desserts with chocolate or Xylitol
• Herbs like sage, garlic and pepper
• Alcohol

Be sure to take your pup on a long walk Thanksgiving morning.

A pet that gets plenty of exercise is able to burn off excess energy. The time you spend playing and walking your cat or dog will be well worth it. You'll both be happier and less stressed. It may be the perfect time to think about what you're thankful for.

Check your microchip and ID tags

With more people coming in and out of your home there's more risk that your dog or cat might run out the door. Be sure their tags and chips are up to date, so if they do go missing they can be returned quickly to your loving arms.

Create a safe space with a special toy

There's a ton of extra activity in your home on Thanksgiving. People are coming and going, the kitchen smells like heaven, kids are running around and the noise, energy and stimulus are high! That equals sensory overload for your pets. Give your pets a safe place to retreat and consider giving them a special toy to distract them from the wonderful holiday chaos. The Kong Dog Toy is an awesome choice to redirect their attention and the perfect way to give your pooch a little taste of Thanksgiving. (Refer to our list of pet safe Thanksgiving foods above to stuff into the Kong. Dogs also LOVE peanut butter.).

Take out the trash

The day is finally over and you've been the perfect host family. You made sure your fur babies didn't eat any harmful foods, the dishes are put away, the kitchen is clean, your trash is sitting by the door waiting to go out and it's time for bed. But wait! Trash is one of the most overlooked dangers on Thanksgiving. Make sure all trash is stored where your pets don't have access. It could mean the difference between a happy or not so happy Thanksgiving.

Educate your guests on pet safety

Your well intentioned cousin might think she’s being nice by feeding Fido some stuffing (which is full of ingredients that might hurt your dog) or your nephew might forget to close the lid on your trash can (giving your kitty easy access to everything she shouldn’t eat). Stay on the safe side by letting your guests know how to interact with your pets.

(Hey, you probably have a huge to-do list before Thanksgiving so let us help. Simply forward this article to your Thanksgiving guests and take that off your plate.)