COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Many see pets as family, but experts say that doesn't mean they should be included in enjoying Thanksgiving dinner. Veterinarians say several traditional foods could make your furry friends sick.
Dr. Annie Gerding, an associate veterinarian at Fifth & Kenny Animal Hospital, said fatty foods can cause serious stomach problems for pets. That includes Thanksgiving staples like turkey skin, gravy, casseroles, or anything with a lot of butter.
"It can even escalate into something that we call pancreatitis," Gerding said. "This can get so bad that our pets need to be hospitalized on IV fluids and pain medication, and it can be very costly."
Onions and garlic, even in the form of seasoning powder, can be toxic. It could cause damage to a pet's liver and kidneys. Gerding said it can also cause bad anemia or loss of red blood cells, leading to needing a blood transfusion.
"When we're eating dinner or cooking dinner, it's great to have our pets gated off in a separate room to make sure that if that onion does fall on the floor, they're not running before we can grab it," Gerding said.
Gerding also said to avoid giving your pets chicken and turkey bones or corn cobs. Those items could become lodged and need surgery to be removed.
"These are things that we definitely don't want to give our pets this holiday season," Gerding said. "The risk is not worth the reward."
If you want your pet to enjoy some of the meal, Gerding says baby carrots or unseasoned green beans are fine in small portions.
If you think your pet has eaten something harmful, Gerding said to call your veterinarian immediately; it's important to know how much you think they ate and how much your pet weighs so they can determine if it's a toxic dosage.
"A lot of these damages are irreversible," Gerding said. "The sooner we can get them help to try to induce vomiting, the better."