Stanley, Cup and I wish you all a happy, healthy and safe holiday tomorrow. While we two-footers traditionally tend to overindulge on Thanksgiving, that’s not a good idea for the four-footers. So here’s your annual tip sheet on how to keep your holiday vet-visit free and your carpets clean (by four-footers at least).
I usually bring you these tips from the ASPCA, but this year I’m making an exception and adding some from Petco because they included a lovely recipe…not for you, but for your pet. Read all about it below. And again, happy Thanksgiving from me and the girls

 
Thanksgiving is an indulgence holiday, but you can indulge while still being healthy. The same is true for your pets.  While it’s tempting to give your pets table scraps as a special treat, “people” food treats can lead to weight gain and digestive problems. 
 
To help you provide that little something extra while still keeping them healthy, PETCO has created the following tips and a nutritionally balanced recipe if you decide to provide a little something special for the holiday:
 
Your food isn’t necessarily a treat for them

Creamy mashed potatoes and piping hot stuffing may sound great to you but your pet’s digestive system is designed to handle small amounts of consistently digestible, nutrient rich foods.  In fact, pets digest their food in just 12 to 30 hours while it takes you 30 hours to five days to digest a meal. If you want to give your pet a treat, try mixing a wet food in with their kibble or provide a small, breed-specific natural treat.   
 
Everything in moderation

Consider that a medium-sized dog can thrive on 2-3 cups of food per day while you could easily put away 5-6 cups of food in a single Thanksgiving dinner sitting.  Also pets have expandable stomachs so they need your help moderating their food intake to avoid digestive issues.  Make sure you are reading the label on your pet’s food to determine proper serving sizes and if you insist on feeding them a healthy treat such as boneless turkey or cooked rice, reduce the amount of kibble in the regular meal accordingly. 
 
Sugar and spice aren’t that nice

Pets need a healthy mix of fat, protein, and healthy carbohydrates for optimum health.  None of those nutrients need to come from pumpkin pie or green bean casserole. In fact overly sugary or spicy foods often lead to digestive issues and the extra empty calories can lead to unhealthy weight gain as well.  Even if you stick to a healthy diet for your pet you will need to ensure your family and guests are on board as well to ensure scraps aren’t “accidently” shared under the table. 
 
Help for accidental overindulgence

Pets cannot tell you they had too much turkey but they will let you know if they’re in pain.  A dog that has abdominal pain may glance towards their belly, bite or lick the area or refuse to leave their bed.  With all the excitement and extra people around, keep a close eye on your pet and if you notice unusual behavior contact your veterinarian immediately.
 
Exercise to “make room” for a few special treats

Adding some extra exercise is a great way to ensure your pet can have a few holiday treats without unnecessary weight gain or digestive problems.  Plan a family touch football game or an after dinner walk and your pets can enjoy some holiday cheer without any guilt. 
 
If you’re considering cooking that perfect Thanksgiving feast for your dog or cat, make sure they’re getting good nutrition from the right ingredients. The following recipe provided by natural nutrition experts at Halo is a perfect way to ensure your pets can be part of the Thanksgiving feast (or a good way to use some of that leftover turkey).  
 
 
Halo Turkey Spot’s Stew
Yield: About 8 Cups
2 ½ cups of cooked turkey
¼ cup chopped fresh garlic
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
½ cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
½ cup coarsely chopped zucchini
½ cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
½ cup coarsely chopped green beans
½ cup coarsely chopped celery
1 tablespoon kelp powder
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

For dogs only: Add 8 ounces whole barley and 6 ounces rolled oats, and adjust the water content to a total of 16 cups or enough to cover the ingredients (According to Halo veterinarian, Dr. Donna Spector, cats require zero carbohydrate content in their diet, so this would be an unnecessary addition for cats).

Instructions: Combine all of the ingredients except the turkey in a 10-quart stockpot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat as low as possible and simmer for 2 hours (the carrots should be quite soft at the end of the cooking time). Remove from the heat, let cool. Add cooked turkey. With an electric hand mixer, or using a food processor and working in batches, blend all the ingredients into a nice puree; the stew should be slightly thicker for dogs and soupier for cats. Using zip lock bags or plastic yogurt containers, make up meal-sized portions. Refrigerate what you’ll need for three days and freeze the rest.

Serving Size: Amounts will vary depending on age, activity level, current health, weight, and season, but here are some guidelines: The average adult cat will eat roughly 1 cup a day. Because dogs vary so much in size, consult the table below. The amount shown should be split into at least two meals daily.
Dog’s Weight

Total Daily Portion

Up to 10 pounds

1 to 1 ½ cups

11 to 20 pounds

2 to 3 cups

21-40 pounds

4 cups
For each additional 20 pounds, add 2 cups. Remember, all pets are individuals, so let your intuition and observations guide you, and always consult your vet.
For more information on better pet nutrition or to shop for healthy treats, please visit www.petco.com/nutritioncenter.  For more recipes, visit www.halopets.com/recipes.