There’s enough for people to worry about at Thanksgiving. “Oh no, not Aunt

Edna’s greasy gravy.” “My brother’s bragging is going to drive me to drink.”

“I can’t believe I ate the whole thing.” But we can’t just think of ourselves

over this food-focused holiday: We have to look after our best friends, too.

Dogs enjoy the revelry at least as much as humans, with bits of this and that

dropping on the floor, and delectable smells wafting around the house.

But Thanksgiving mustn’t be a free-for-all. Just because we try to pack

away all we can doesn’t mean our dogs should. And there are certain

items your dog really needs to avoid.

“Veterinarians experience an increased number of office calls due to

digestive problems after the holidays because humans invite their

animals to celebrate with high fat meals (ham, gravy, turkey skin),

, bones , etc.,” warns Casandria Smith, L.A. Animal Services Chief

Veterinarian, in a PetFinder article.

Here are some tips that will help your dog get through Thanksgiving

safely and with a smile on her snout.

Stuff Your Turkey, Not Your Dog

It’s easy to want to give your dog a big fat bowl of turkey, mashed potatoes,

and whatever else you think she might enjoy. But that’s a bad idea.

Overindulging in fatty foods can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea,

or a life-threatening condition called pancreatitis. A few strips of turkey

on a dog’s normal food is fine, but don’t overdo it, no matter how she

may plead with her “I’m STARVING” eyes. Keep in mind that turkey

skin can wreak havoc with a dog’s digestive system, so make sure she

gets skinless, boneless turkey.

Stuff Your Dog’s Kong, Not Your Dog

Here’s a great way to keep your dog busy and happy during your meal.

Put a bit of your dog’s regular food in a Kong, and then stuff a little

boneless turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy – just a tad, mind you – in the

Kong. It’s not much food, but it will keep him occupied for a long time.

Get Her Pooped

A dog who has been on a big walk or fetched the ball a zillion times

will be much more likely to run out of energy during the feast than a

dog who’s been inside all day. A tired dog is a good dog on Thanksgiving.

Make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise before the festivities begin.

Make No Bones About It

Cooked turkey bones can be a danger to your dog. They’re sharp, and

potentially very dangerous. You may not know a dog has a turkey bone

lodged in your dog’s digestive system for days. Don’t leave plates with

bones lying around. Ditto for the turkey carcass. Hungry dogs have

been known to run off with the remains of a carved turkey. It can

happen in the blink of an eye. You notice the turkey is gone. You notice

the dog is gone. With luck, you find their hiding place before anything

happens. Put plates in an unreachable area if you can’t dispose of

everything properly right away.

Know This Sage Wisdom

Sage and some other herbs have essential oils that can cause tummy

upset and central nervous system depression if a dog eats them in large

quantities. Most dogs aren’t going to nosh on a fistful of sage, but keep

herbs out of reach just in case. See: Poisonous Plants and Foods for Dogs.

Don’t Cry Over Onions

Onions are toxic to dogs. They can lead to a dangerous form of anemia

that may not be detected for days. Make sure your dog stays away from

the pearly whites, and yellows, and reds.

See: Poisonous Plants and Foods for Dogs.

Don’t Give Her the Raw Deal

Unless your dog is already on a raw diet, we wouldn’t recommend

plopping a piece of raw turkey in her bowl (the change from her regular

food might cause an upset stomach). But more importantly, keep your

pup away from the uncooked dough for bread or rolls. What helps make

dough rise? Heat. If a dog eats raw dough, what’s it like for the dough

the dog’s stomach? Warm. The dough rises in the dog’s stomach, and if

the dog has eaten enough, the swollen dough can cause pain, vomiting,

and bloating — conditions that can send you to the doggy

ER on Thanksgiving.

Avoid Yappy Hour

Some dogs seem to enjoy alcoholic drinks. Walk away from your drink

that’s set on the coffee table, and Lulu may get lit. Dogs and booze are a

bad mix. Your dog may not do anything embarrassing she’ll regret in the

morning, but she could become disoriented and quite ill. Too much alcohol

can even lead to a coma, and death. Watch where you – and others – put

their drinks, especially if you have a curious pup.

By following a few basic tips, your dog will enjoy a fun, safe Thanksgiving.

Now if only you could avoid Aunt Edna’s gravy …

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