Turkey, cooked or uncooked, with or without bones, can contain the bacteria Salmonella, if cooked improperly. In addition, turkeys and other Thanksgiving fare can be high in fat and cause a potentially fatal inflammation of the pancreas. And finally, the bones from both turkeys and hams can splinter, often causing tears or obstructions in the stomach or small intestine.

    Sage and other herbs, while making food delicious, may contain essential oils and resins that can cause digestive tract upset and central nervous system depression if consumed in large quantities. Cats can be especially affected by certain oils.

    Bread dough when eaten raw can rise in the stomach causing vomiting, abdominal pain, and/or bloating.

    Baking strings -- such as those used to bind turkeys--can cause intestines to become blocked, especially in small dogs and cats. This can lead to a costly surgery to remove it from the intestines.

    Onions can cause dogs to become anemic.

    Grapes / Raisins when eaten in large quantities or consumed long-term, can lead to kidney failure.

    Chocolate as we all know can be toxic to our pets and--even in small amounts--can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The worst kind of chocolate is baker's chocolate.

    Caffine and Alcohol can both be toxic to pets. So make sure to never leave your drinks unattended. If you are having a large party consider putting your pets in another room, or outside if the weather is nice, to safeguard them from sampling from unattended glasses.

    To summarize: The potential results from eating anything that is not a part of your pets regular diet are: stomach upsets, diarrhea, an inflamed pancreas, even an obstructed or punctured stomach or small intestine. All of these require treatment by your veterinarian and could result in hospitalization or even surgery for your pet.

     So be wise dispose of leftovers promptly, properly and securely, And don't overindulge your pets with "samples" from your plate.

    Instead, give your pet a healthy alternative.  Stuff a Kong with canned pet food, or buy your dog a new Nylabone.  Doing so will help everyone enjoy the holiday, and could save you and your pet from a visit to the veterinary emergency hospital.

      Let's make this Thanksgiving a happy and safe one for the entire family.