Dogs, whether you’re hitting the road to visit Grandma’s house this Thanksgiving, or hosting a gathering for family and friends at your home, here is some helpful advice on how to make it a happy and worry-free celebration for everyone, especially you!

First off, you’re going to be surrounded by a lot of tempting food. But you need to stand strong and refuse the delectable scraps being offered to you. I know people mean well by sharing, but not all food is good for you. There’s no quicker way to ruin the fun on Thanksgiving than with an upset tummy. Emergency vets see an increase in visits due to gastroenteritis from eating unfamiliar and seasoned people foods; pancreatitis from consuming large amounts of fatty foods, like dark turkey meat, turkey skin, ham or cheeses; and poisonings from ingesting foods toxic to dogs such as chocolate, raisins, and foods made with the sugar substitute xylitol. Also never, I repeat, never eat turkey bones! This includes leaving the carcass of the turkey alone. Turkey bones can be a choking hazard, or worst yet puncture your digestive track. So it’s best to steer clear of the table and kitchen scraps, and simply enjoy the treats and special food your humans provided just for you. After all, an expensive visit to the vet not only ruins Thanksgiving, but severely cuts into your humans’ squeaky toy budget for your Christmas gifts!

It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings when visiting new places. Not everyone knows the power of a happy tail or a curious nose. So when you arrive ask your humans to survey the area where you’ll be celebrating to make sure there are no dangers at tail level. This includes lighted candles on low tables, precious knickknacks that could break and cut excited paws, and easily accessible bowls of candy that may be too tempting to resist. By politely asking the hosts to place those items out of harm’s way, you can guarantee everyone will have a good time. You also need to be aware of people who are unsteady on their feet, or just not accustomed to having a happy pup underfoot. Try to have your humans help you steer clear of toddlers just getting use to their wobbly legs, older adults who may not be as spry as they use to be, and guests that may have indulged a bit too much in an adult beverage. Because it’s all fun and games until a human falls down or a paw gets trod upon.

Now I know it’s really exciting when guests are coming and going. You want to greet each and every one, and you also want to wish them safe travels when they leave. But with doors opening and closing it is easy to lose track of if you are coming or going and you may accidentally find yourself outside without supervision. Sadly some dogs do get lost or go missing during Thanksgiving. One of the best ways to keep yourself safe is to ask your humans to keep you in a secure area while folks are coming or going. This could be a crate where you can still watch the action, or perhaps a quiet room so you don’t get stressed by all the excitement. Don’t worry, no one will think you are a rude dog for sitting this activity out. There will still be plenty of time to interact with your friends and family. However, you need to stay away from open doors. This includes following the little humans out to play. Oh sure you’ll no doubt need to answer nature’s call during the course of the day, but never go out unaccompanied. Also make sure you bring an adult with you, especially when visiting an unfamiliar yard, even if it is fenced. Humans can get awfully forgetful during parties, and may accidentally leave a tempting gate open.

It’s also important to be prepared for the unthinkable. Prior to Thanksgiving, make sure your id tag is up to date, and if you’re microchipped that the database has all your current contact information including your owners’ cell phone numbers. Remember landlines are useless if you’re away from home and lost. Also make sure your family has a current photo of you on their phones, so that you can easily be identified in posters and by people searching for you. For more information on what to do if you go missing, please have your humans review our Finding a Lost Dog Recommendations, and that they take a moment to watch the Calming Signals Video by Missing Pet Partnership on how not to scare you when found.

Also remember you don’t need to be the life of the party. It’s ok to take breaks and have your humans put you in a quiet place in the house to relax. I don’t know about you, but I like my routine, and need to take naps. So when visiting, be sure that your family packs a few of your favorite toys and perhaps a blanket that smells like home, so you can take a moment to decompress from all the excitement of celebrating Thanksgiving. Also it’s ok to stay home. Big family gatherings aren’t the best thing for nervous or easily excitable pups. Or if you happen to be visiting a home where there are tempting cats to chase. It’s ok to sit this event out, because the Holiday season is just beginning and there will be plenty of opportunities for tail wagging fun!