Safe Holiday Foods for Pets
The months of October onwards are a constant barrage of celebrations, with many homes preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas or Hanukkah. No holiday festivities are complete without the presence of delicious meals on the family table, and even your pets get to join in on the fun by having an extra meal or snack every now and then!
Although some pet owners think that having a chubby and plump pet may look adorable, your furry friends can develop health issues if they don’t maintain healthy nutrition. For this reason, you must be extra cautious about feeding them some treats that won’t be good for their diet.
Be Safe With Your Pet's Holiday Foods
Many pet owners want to go the extra mile to give their pet a similar serving of their dishes during these feasts! However, not all ingredients that are safe to eat for humans are fit for your furry friends to eat. Dogs, in particular, need to be mindful of their sugar and fat consumption. This is why it’s best to think twice before you give your furry friend their holiday treats. If you haven't had a chance to, take a look at our Blog and find other resources for pet parents. Specifically, take a look at our Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips for some information on foods that should be avoided by pets.
In this article, we will share three dishes that you can share with your pets.
1. Mashed Potatoes
Having a healthy serving of carbs at a holiday party is an excellent way to wash your palette of salty or sweet dishes. Thankfully, your pet will be completely fine with eating potato-based dishes. However, you must be mindful of its ingredients since onions, sour cream, and chives can make your pet sick! Make sure you serve plain potatoes to your furry friends. You can also give them sweet potatoes and yams.
2. Turkey Meat
Serving turkey is a tradition for Thanksgiving, which is why it’s one of the main causes of developing “winter” weight. Some parts of the turkey are more harmful than others to your pet. For example, turkey skin contains plenty of heavy seasoning and spices that your pet will find difficult to digest. In contrast, giving your furry friend turkey breast gives them a healthy amount of protein that will make them strong and healthy.
Another alternative is to add pumpkin, turkey, or other Thanksgiving flavors to the meals that you're already feeding your pet! We also have some dog toys and cat toys that are both festive and engaging.
3. Cranberries
No turkey serving is complete without the addition of special cranberry sauce. It’s a great way to make a balance of your palate with the sweet and salty taste of Turkey. Dishes that contain cranberries like pies and cakes are also great for clearing your taste buds as a dessert. Your pets can also enjoy cranberry, but be mindful about giving them too much (as with every other food!). They may not even like the tartness of cranberries. However, if your pet is already diabetic, it’s best for your pet to avoid it altogether.
Conclusion
Enjoying the holiday season with bountiful feasts is an excellent way to embrace the end of the year. However, that doesn’t mean you should splurge too much during holiday parties. Make sure that you and your pet can go through a healthy exercise regimen so that you won’t develop any unhealthy weight gain when breezing past the first few months of the new year.
Pet owners need to have the right tools and treats to ensure that they’re giving the best for their pets. We are a pet supplies store in Marysville that can provide you with anything from treats to travel carriers for your pet’s needs. Browse through our online store today!