How to Keep Your Dog Safe at Thanksgiving

Austin, TX, November 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Thanksgiving is a joyous holiday across the United States and a time to give thanks for all we have—including healthy dogs. Make sure you keep your dog healthy and safe on this special day with a few precautions from DogTipper.com, the site featuring tips for dog lovers, by dog lovers.

1. Avoid Bones. Turkey bones are a no-no at Thanksgiving. Poultry bones can splinter and cause intestinal problems. Make sure your guests know that your dog cannot get any bones. As soon as the meal is finished, clear the table and throw away the bones in a secure trash can he cannot access.

2. Watch for Strings, Skewers, Wrappings. The strings and skewers that you pull from the turkey are oh-so tempting for dogs. Make sure they make it into that secure trash can as well.

3. Avoid Chocolate, Onions, Raisins and Grapes, Macadamia Nuts, Nutmeg. Some of the best holiday foods spell disaster for dogs. Dogs cannot eat chocolate; even a few ounces of dark chocolate can be fatal. Other foods they must avoid: onions, raisins and grapes, Macadamia nuts, and nutmeg. Also, as you’re baking holiday goodies, make sure your dog never ingests yeast dough; it can expand in the stomach and cause it to rupture.

4. Keep an ID on At All Times. The ins and outs of company arriving make it easier than ever for even the best-trained dog to sneak out of the house undetected. Be sure to put a collar on your dog with a current ID with your phone number, just in case.

5. Prevent Pancreatitis. Pet emergency clinics often see pancreatitis at Thanksgiving; the symptoms are vomiting, extreme depression, reluctance to move, and abdominal pain. This life-threatening illness can be caused by eating excessive fat. While we may indulge on those fatty Thanksgiving foods, you don’t want your dog to eat all that fat. If you want to give your dog a holiday treat, skip the turkey skin and gravies!

DogTipper.com features articles and tips covering all aspects of life with your dog, from selecting a dog to raising and training your canine. Published by professional writers (and husband-wife team) Paris Permenter and John Bigley, the site also offers a Celebrity Canines blog featuring red carpet canines, a Dog Tip of the Day, and Dog News covering dog food recalls, new dog products, and more. Permenter and Bigley, who have authored over two dozen books, live with their dogs in Texas.

For more information, visit www.DogTipper.com. To download a free copy of How to Put Your Dog on a Budget, visit www.DogTipper.com/budget.

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