Thanksgiving Dinner Pet Dangers

Some Table Scraps Could Harm, Even Kill Them, Warns Dr. Debbye Turner Bell; Her Advice: Don't Give Them Any

(CBS)  In just two days, we'll all gather around the table to dig into a sumptuous meal.

But there's one family member who shouldn't get any Thanksgiving dinner: the family pet.

The Early Show's resident veterinarian, Dr. Debye Turner Bell, cautioned that you shouldn't give Fido or Fluffy anything from the T-Day table, no matter how much they beg.

Cats and dogs aren't used to the heavy seasoning we put in foods, or the high fat content. And sometimes, even a little bit can cause stomach irritation and result in vomiting and diarrhea. And no one wants to deal with that on Thanksgiving, least of all your poor pet!

So, resist those pleading eyes, and forlorn whines. Treat your pet with a little of his or her regular kibble or pet treats. It's better for everyone.

Plus, there are some human foods that are toxic to your pets. So letting Fido have a spoonful of the Thanksgiving dressing could end up causing a medical emergency.

Here are some foods that can be very dangerous to your pet:

BONES

The holiday turkey or chicken will provide lots of tantalizing bones, but don't feed them to your pet. Small bones or bone chips can lodge in their throat, stomach, and intestinal tract. These bones break into very sharp splinters. They can then cause extensive damage to the stomach and gastro-intestinal tract after they're swallowed. Sometimes, a bone can even puncture the small intestines, creating a life-threatening or even fatal situation. Ham bones can also get stuck in the throat, stomach, or intestines. Beware of steak bones, as well.

ONION AND GARLIC

These contain sulfides, which can cause the destruction of red blood cells, and are toxic to animals, particularly cats. Onions and garlic can cause a disease called Heinz body anemia. Foods spiced with onion and/or garlic, or even onion powder or garlic powder, shouldn't be given to pets.

RAISINS AND GRAPES

Many people use raisins while baking during the holiday season, or grapes in fruit salads. But, they could pose a choking hazard, so keep them out of reach. It isn't known what substance in grapes and raisins causes the problem, but cases have shown that ingestion of either can cause significant kidney damage.

AVOCADO

Poisons in the avocado fruit, pit, and leaves can cause a buildup of fluid in the lungs, heart, pancreas, and abdomen. Accumulation of fluid in the lungs can cause difficulty with breathing. If the fluid buildup is severe enough, oxygen deprivation leading to death can occur.

[oceanmock]

one problem with your otherwise good article is the reference to food TOXINS as ''poisons''. There is a difference - please research your text for next time.

NOTE - the toxic element in avocado is a chemical known as ''persin'' and can be toxic (NOT poisonous!) to many mammals including dogs, cats, swine, sheep, horses, cattle, some avian species and even on rare occasions to humans as well. There are several sites where this info can be found.