Feeding pets from the Thanksgiving table

FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – As you gather around the dinner table tonight, its important to keep your furry friend in mind.

As much as you may want to give your pet its own plate, some Thanksgiving foods aren’t safe for dogs or cats. Unless your vet has told you otherwise, it’s best to keep the Thanksgiving feast to yourself.

“Generally, across the board, stick to their diet,” said Dr. Matthew Faulkner, a veterinarian at Fayette Veterinary Hospital. “We have so many dogs and cats with dietary sensitivities that if they get gravy, stuffing or cranberry salad, we’re in for a major, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, which is the worst inflammatory bowel you can think of.”

If you can’t help but give in to the puppy dog eyes, chicken and turkey are usually safe options since most pet foods have a similar base ingredient. Be sure to stay away from heavily spiced or seasoned foods like stuffing and any toxins like chocolate-based desserts.

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Kassie Simmons
Kassie Simmons joined the team in January 2019 as a weekend journalist. She graduated from Virginia Tech in just two and a half years with a BA in multimedia journalism. During her short time at Virginia Tech, she served as the editor for the university’s chapter of The Tab. Kassie was named the top reporter for The Tab at Virginia Tech on multiple occasions and made the list for the top 30 reporters for The Tab in the U.S. She also studied theater performance and minored in creative writing. Before coming to WOAY, Kassie interned at WSLS in Roanoke and the Tidewater Review in her hometown of West Point, Va. She has loved following breaking news since her childhood and has a passion for delivering the stories people care most about. Kassie is excited to be working in Southern West Virginia and looks forward to all the adventures ahead of her. You can follow her on Twitter at @KassieLSimmons and like her page on Facebook. If you have a story you think she should check out, send her an email at ksimmons@woay.com.