Operation News – October 2025
Pumpkin spice is everywhere, and the holidays will be upon us soon. Now is a good time to review how we can protect our hounds during this busy time.
Halloween
Chocolate in all forms can be highly toxic to dogs, as can candy or gum artificially sweetened with xylitol. Plus, dogs may gobble up candy wrappers and all. Cellophane or foil wrappers can cause significant trouble when swallowed. Even natural treats like caramel apples and raisins should be off limits. Intestinal upsets, GI blockages and pancreatitis can result when your hound eats items not usually on their menu.
Dogs are not always fans of the neighborhood candy hunt. The doorbell constantly rings, and strangers in weird costumes invade their domain. Too many sights, too many smells and too many sounds. Even dogs that usually love children can be thrown off by the constant ringing of doorbells or knocking, the number of visitors and the weird appearance of their human friends. Ensure the hound is tagged with current information, its GPS is charged, or better yet, keep the hound on a short leash during the hunt.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, giving thanks and, of course, food. But Thanksgiving can also present some hidden dangers for your pets. With a feast of turkey, stuffing and pies filling the house with tempting aromas, it’s easy for pets to get into trouble.
Be aware of toxic foods: chocolate, grapes, raisins, currants, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts and artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Keep these toxic foods away from pets and remind guests not to share their plates.
Avoid fatty foods: Butter, meat drippings, gravies, dark turkey meat and other fatty foods can cause gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea and vomiting). Worse yet, fatty foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas, a condition known as pancreatitis. If you can’t help but share, provide your pet with plain pumpkin or sweet potatoes with some chopped apple and a sprinkling of white meat — remember, moderation is key.
Prevent choking and obstructions: Bones, corncobs, twine from trussing the turkey and foil used to keep dishes warm can all become lodged in the digestive tract, potentially requiring surgical removal. Yeast dough is dangerous because it expands in the stomach and produces alcohol, which can result in alcohol poisoning.
Watch the floral centerpieces: Holiday decorations bring a festive vibe to the dinner table, but can pose a risk to pets. Floral arrangements may contain flowers that are toxic to pets — each plant poses a different danger. Lilies may range from non-toxic to toxic for dogs. Ensure your flower arrangements are non-toxic.
Thanksgiving Day pet safety tips
Pets can get quite crafty trying to get to the mouthwatering fare, but a few precautions will keep their eager stomachs out of harm’s way. On Thanksgiving Day, take these precautions to ensure your pet’s safety:
Keep food and drinks out of reach: Don’t leave dishes unattended or in places where your pet can easily jump to reach them.
Block off the kitchen: Use baby gates or close doors to prevent your pet from accessing unsupervised food prep areas.
Secure garbage cans: Pets love getting into the trash, so use a heavy, secure lid to prevent accidental ingestion of harmful foods. Also, take the garbage out before heading to bed.
Watch out for your “Counter Surfer”: If you know, you know.
Next month, we’ll talk about the December events and what you can do to keep your hound safe.
Always moving forward,
Nancy