How to keep your Pit bull safe during Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Pitbulls are a popular family pet. To ensure your pet is safe and healthy during Thanksgiving, here are some tips on keeping them happy and healthy over the holiday.
Tips for protecting Pit Bulls on Thanksgiving
1. Take care of your dog's diet:
A dog's diet may get disturbed on Thanksgiving. So many food items are dangerous for dogs; one way or another, canines might end up eating these items. Foods that can harm Pit bulls on Thanksgiving and also have a toxic element:
Raw bones: Raw bones may cause a choking or intestinal blockage as they're too big for a Pitbull's throat or stomach to digest properly.
Onion: Onion is harmful to most animals and can cause anemia in pit bulls due to its low iron content and high sulfur content.
Garlic: Garlic contains thiosulphate, which causes hemolytic anemia in dogs when consumed in large quantities over time.
Grapes: Grapes and raisins are a big no for all dogs. If you have added raisins to bread or food, avoid giving it to your dog, as it can make them very sick after consuming it.
2. Buy good quality chew toys to distract your pittie:
Pups need to be constantly monitored to ensure their safety. Chewing toys are a great way to keep your pit bull occupied and engaged. They are important for Pit bulls on Thanksgiving because they relieve the stress of being away from home. Besides that, if you are celebrating Thanksgiving in your own house, seeing so many new faces during the dinner can cause stress in dogs. Giving them different types of chew toys can relieve anxiety for your family members.
3. Use a crate:
Crate training is a very useful tool to have on Thanksgiving, especially if you are also hosting a family dinner. The holiday season is when many dogs are left alone for extended periods. This can lead to anxiety and destructive behavior. If your pet has been trained to be comfortable in a crate, it will feel secure and less stressed.
This will make it easier for you to enjoy the holiday with your family without worrying about your dog destroying furniture or getting into something they shouldn't be eating.
4. Help your Pitbull to exercise before and after big dinner:
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and football. But it's also a time for overeating and over-indulging. The result? Many dogs with stomachaches, diarrhea, and other digestive issues.
The good news is that many veterinarians recommend Thanksgiving exercises to help your dog avoid such problems.
Pit bulls are very active dogs, so they need more exercise than other breeds. They also tend to become overweight or obese, leading to health problems like diabetes and heart disease.
Exercise helps keep these issues at bay by burning calories and strengthening the muscles and joints that support their weighty frames. Besides, that good exercise regimen will also keep the dog calm and composed to a greater extent. Usually, the anxiety aggravates when dogs see new faces during parties; therefore, letting them exercise beforehand will keep them relaxed and make them tired.
5. Hide chocolate from the house:
Pit bulls or any dog are not usually known for being fans of chocolate. But on Thanksgiving, they might get a taste of it, and it can be dangerous.
The danger of chocolate for pit bulls on Thanksgiving is that chocolate contains xanthine alkaloids that can be toxic to dogs.
Let me tell you a story that would help you realize the danger of chocolate for a Pitbull, especially on holidays like Thanksgiving. This is a true story of a pit bull named Hershey who almost died from eating chocolate. His owner's daughter, on Thanksgiving, gave Hershey a piece of chocolate. The next day, Hershey started having seizures, and the family rushed him to the vet. The vet said Hershey had eaten enough chocolate to kill an average person and was lucky to be alive.
The vet told the family that Hershey would need to stay at the hospital for 24 hours so they could monitor him and give him medicine. Luckily, after 24 hours, his seizures stopped, and he could go home with his family.
6. Forbid guests from giving food to your Pit bull:
Most people do not know what food items to give to a dog and what not to offer, especially people who do not own a dog. Therefore, you are responsible for forbidding your guests from feeding your doggo with harmful food leftovers or provide them with food that is okay to feed your dog. Tell them that feeding food does not let Pitbull befriend them. It might even cause aggravated behavior.
7. Do not let your dog get anxious between crowds:
Pit bulls can get anxious quickly during an interaction with an unfamiliar crowd. You are responsible for checking on your doggie, especially during thanksgiving dinner. If he shows signs of aggression and anxiety, detach them from people and try to console him as much as possible. Moreover, it is also your responsibility to offer safe space to your canine if you have guests; once everyone is gone, your pup can move like normal days. Offer your pit bull food and water, and do not forget about treats.
8. Ensure optimal pit bull safety if you are spending Thanksgiving away from home
Here is something to the checklist before going someplace else for Thanksgiving:
Before taking off, spend a few days training your dog to be accustomed to crowded spaces. You can also initiate crate training.
Use over-the-counter anxiety products when needed. If your dog gets anxious quickly, give them anxiety-eliminating items like CBD.
If you are thinking of leaving your pet with a sitter. Let the sitter you’re your dog a few times prior to your trip so your dog gets to know them and feels safe in their presence.
If you’re traveling and taking your dog with you, make a few short car trips before the actual Thanksgiving trip. This way, your canine will be comfortable.
Conclusion:
While Thanksgiving is a time for fellowship with friends, family, and chosen family, it also takes a little effort to ensure your furry family members are safe, sound, and happy as well. In this article, we have sourced some tips to help you better your dog's experience for both in-house and someplace else thanksgiving experience.
