Pet safety tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about gathering with family, enjoying delicious food, and celebrating gratitude. But, while we feast and spend time with loved ones, it’s easy to overlook some hidden hazards for our pets. To keep your RVing pets safe and stress-free this holiday, here are some essential tips on food, visitor etiquette, and home safety.

Note: Celebrating the holidays within a confined space like an RV presents unique challenges. Food and recipe ingredients may have a greater chance of falling to the floor if your rig lacks counter space. Extra guests inside your RV can cause accidents to happen more easily. RV owners need to be especially cautious with their pets during this time.

Here are additional Thanksgiving safety tips when RVing with pets:

Watch out for toxic foods

Some Thanksgiving favorites can be harmful to pets. Foods like turkey skin, gravy, and fatty side dishes can upset their digestive systems, potentially leading to pancreatitis, a painful and serious condition.

Turkey bones are also a no-go. They can splinter and create choking hazards or cause intestinal injuries if swallowed.

Additionally, watch out for dishes with garlic, onions, leeks, or chives, which are toxic to both dogs and cats because they can damage red blood cells.

Safe treats

For safe treats, offer your pet small amounts of plain vegetables like green beans or carrots, or a spoonful of plain pumpkin puree. (Make sure it’s not pie filling!) Many pets love these simple, healthy treats, and they’re much safer options.

Limit access

Your dessert table can also be a danger zone for pets. Chocolate is well-known to be toxic to dogs. Did you know that raisins, macadamia nuts, and the artificial sweetener xylitol (often found in sugar-free desserts) can be fatal to pets? It’s true!

Unbaked dough is another concern, as it expands in pets’ stomachs. This may potentially lead to painful bloating or even alcohol poisoning due to yeast fermentation.

Keep desserts out of reach and consider setting up a pet-friendly treat table (with some of these Thanksgiving dog treats), so your furry friends won’t be tempted to go for the pies.

Secure the trash and leftovers

Once the meal is over, the trash can quickly become a temptation for pets. Turkey bones, food scraps, and food packaging can all pose risks if your pet decides to scavenge. A secure, pet-proof trash can is a must, especially when you have guests who may not be as cautious as you are with food waste.

Prevent door dashing

With family and friends coming and going, the RV door opens and closes more than usual. Your pets may take the opportunity to slip outside. To avoid this, consider keeping pets in a secure room when guests arrive, or use baby gates to create a buffer zone. This way, you can welcome guests without worrying about your pet sneaking out.

Some pets may also become anxious around new people, so having a quiet, separate space can help reduce their stress.

Pet-proof belongings

Bags left on the floor can be intriguing for pets, especially when they contain gum (which may have xylitol), medications, or snacks. Encourage guests to hang up bags or put them in their car trunk or other secure locations. This can keep curious pets from getting into anything potentially harmful.

Provide safe space and stress relief

With the bustle of Thanksgiving, even well-adjusted pets may feel stressed. Consider putting them inside your RV bedroom, if it can be secured by a door. During meal prep, perhaps keep your RVing pets outside—with close adult supervision. Set up their bed, toys, and maybe some calming treats to keep them occupied in this safe space.

Playing soft music or using calming sprays can also create a more soothing atmosphere. This is especially true for pets who are sensitive to noise and large gatherings. Remember that your rig likely isn’t insulated for sound. Loud shouts of laughter and raucous conversation can stress pets—even when they are crated or kept in a separate room.

By following these tips, you can ensure a safe, happy holiday for your RVing pets as you celebrate Thanksgiving.

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