The holidays make look a little different this year, but there is still plenty to be thankful for! We are especially grateful for our furry friends who have been with us through the ups and downs of this difficult year. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we want to remind everyone how dangerous certain festive foods can be to your animals. Check out these common Thanksgiving foods that can harm your pets if consumed this holiday season.

1. Cooked bones and trimmings: It may be tempting to let your dog chew on the bones after you cook the turkey, but cooked bones are extremely dry and brittle. In addition to potentially causing intestinal blockages, the bones can also splinter in the dog's throat or digestive system and cause severe damage, internal bleeding, or death. 
2. Fat trimmings or skin: Dark meat turkey and turkey skin is very high in fat. Animals are susceptible to pancreatitis from high-fat content foods. Pancreatitis is not always curable, and symptoms include vomiting, depression, abdominal pain and reluctance to move. If you suspect pancreatitis, make sure your pet goes in to see the veterinarian.
3. Bread Dough: Bread dough with the yeast in it can rise in your pet's stomach and cause discomfort or even more serious conditions.
4.  Wrappings: Foils, waxed papers, turkey bags, strings, garbage bags, toothpicks, pretty much anything that has had contact with food is tempting for animals. You would be surprised just how agile our pets can be when it comes to 'counter surfing'.
5. Other holiday foods: Foods containing grapes, raisins, and currants can result in kidney failure in dogs. Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical highly toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion in small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea but large amounts can cause seizures and heart arrhythmias. Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs that can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure. Keep dishes loaded with onions away from your dog. Onions contain thiosulphate, which damages red blood cells and can cause anemia in dogs.

Stay safe everyone and have a great holiday week! Please note the Humane Society of Ventura County will be CLOSED to the public on Thanksgiving Day.