One holiday season that many of us enjoy is Thanksgiving. But when it comes to our furry friends, that day comes with serious risks. Whether you’re hosting a Thanksgiving dinner or just dealing with the aftermath, it’s important to be familiar with the dangers that our two-legged friends can face when they gobble up those favorite dishes.

THANKSGIVING FOODS THAT ARE TOXIC FOR YOUR CAT:

BONES

In the event that these bones are swallowed by your cat, the gastrointestinal tract may become obstructed, requiring surgical intervention. Additionally, these bones can splinter, which can cause irritation on the lining of the esophagus and/or stomach as a result of the splinters. It is therefore very important that you provide your cat with only bone-free turkey meat in order to keep him healthy.

RAW EGGS THAT CONTAIN AMMONIA

When it comes to raw egg intake, worries about your pet getting food sickness from E. coli and salmonella are at the top of the list. However, a protein present in uncooked egg whites presents another problem. Cats may encounter issues with their skin and coat because this protein (avidin) tends to prevent the absorption of biotin.

STUFFING

Cats are particularly sensitive to the ingredients found in stuffing. Grapes and raisins can lead to gastrointestinal problems for your pet.

Thanksgiving side dishes can be spiced up with onions, garlic, chives, and leeks, but these ingredients are also dangerous to cats. Anemia results from damaged red blood cell membranes after eating these foods

TURKEY SKIN, FATTY FOODS, AND GRAVY

The high fat content of these foods makes them susceptible to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreatic system), which can lead to life-threatening complications.

XYLITOL

Artificial sweeteners such as xylitol are used in baking. A synthetic sweetener used in baking is xylitol. Since xylitol is poisonous to all pets, you ought to stay away from it whenever you can. The blood sugar of your pet may decline as a result of this sweetener. In the worst instance, a cat can experience liver failure.

ALCOHOL

Even though you might think that this is obvious, there are other ways that your cat might consume alcohol. Along with alcoholic drinks and treats made with rum, uncooked bread dough can also include alcohol because uncooked yeast dough will continue to rise in your pet’s stomach, where it will ferment and release alcohol. Your pet may develop bloating and/or a twisted stomach if undercooked yeast dough is consumed. Additionally, drinking alcohol can cause loss of coordination, nausea, a drop in blood pressure, alcohol poisoning, and/or a coma.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

If your pet eats something that you are concerned about, contact your neighborhood veterinarian or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right once if your pet eats something about which you are concerned.