North Dakota Pet Owners: What Your Cats Should Skip on Thanksgiving Day

This Thanksgiving, while you prepare your holiday feast, don’t forget your furry friends. Many Thanksgiving staples can be shared safely with cats in moderation, but others pose serious risks. Here’s a quick guide from petmd.com to help North Dakota cat owners include pets in the celebration responsibly.

Thanksgiving Foods Safe for Cats

Cats thrive on natural, cooked foods. Consider these feline-friendly options:

• Turkey and Chicken: Lean, cooked meats without skin, fat, or seasoning make excellent protein sources.
• Eggs
• Clams
• Beef
• Lamb
• Tuna
• Sardines
• Salmon
• Potatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Yams
• Green Beans

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Thanksgiving Foods Cats Should Absolutely Avoid

While it’s tempting to let your cat enjoy a little taste of the holiday feast, several classic Thanksgiving dishes can actually be dangerous—or even life-threatening—for them. Here are the biggest no-go items to keep far from curious paws.

Anything Made With Onions, Garlic, Leeks, or Chives

These flavorful ingredients show up in all kinds of Thanksgiving favorites, from stuffing to gravy. But for cats, they’re extremely toxic. They contain sulfur compounds that damage red blood cells, leading to a serious—and sometimes fatal—form of anemia.

If a cat eats foods seasoned with onions, garlic, leeks, or chives, they may develop:

• Weakness or lethargy
• Jaundice (yellow gums or skin)
• Dark urine
• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea

It doesn’t take much to cause harm, so it’s best to keep these foods completely out of reach.

Read More: North Dakota’s First Cold Snap: What It Means for the Months Ahead

Chocolate or Anything Containing Caffeine

Chocolate may take center stage on dessert tables, but it’s bad news for cats. It contains caffeine and theobromine—stimulants that can severely affect their nervous system and heart.

Symptoms of chocolate or caffeine ingestion include:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Restlessness or hyperactivity
• Seizures
• Elevated heart rate

The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Keep all desserts, cocoa mixes, coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks safely tucked away.

Raw Meat

Even though wild cats eat raw meat, it’s not safe for our household companions. Raw turkey or other uncooked meats can carry harmful bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, or campylobacter.

Signs of food-borne illness in cats include:

• Poor appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal discomfort
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Even if a cat doesn’t get sick from raw meat, they can still shed bacteria that may infect people—another great reason to keep those uncooked turkey scraps off their menu.

Alcohol

Cats and alcohol do not mix—ever. Even tiny amounts can cause severe poisoning because of their small size and sensitivity. Alcohol can depress the nervous system, upset the digestive tract, and interfere with vital body functions.

Alcohol exposure can come not just from drinks, but also from unbaked yeast dough and boozy desserts.

Watch for symptoms such as:

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Increased thirst or urination
• Lethargy or depression
• Disorientation or stumbling
• Slow breathing
• Tremors, seizures, or coma

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if you suspect alcohol ingestion.

What To Do if Your Cat Eats Something They Shouldn’t

If your cat sneaks a tiny bite of a non-toxic food, it may be nothing more than a minor digestive annoyance—but keep an eye out for vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, or loss of appetite.

However, if your cat eats anything known to be toxic—especially foods containing onions, garlic, chives, leeks, chocolate, or alcohol—don’t wait.

Contact:

• Your veterinarian
• A local emergency clinic
• Pet Poison Helpline®: 855-764-7661
• ASPCA® Poison Control: 888-426-4435

Remember, these are all things you may have at Thanksgiving. There are other foods you should not feed your cat, and we will touch on that later. Just remember, when in doubt, it’s always safer to get expert advice. With a little caution, you can enjoy your Thanksgiving feast knowing your feline friend is safe, happy, and far away from the danger zone of holiday foods.