The doorbell rings, the dog launches into a full-volume welcome, and the cat vanishes under the bed before the first coat is off. It happens in plenty of homes every Thanksgiving, and the day is coming on Thursday, Nov. 26.
Both the ASPCA and the American Veterinary Medical Association offer holiday advice for exactly that scene. Five of their tips, sorted into a plan, can keep a dog or cat calm and safe from the first arrival to the last slice of pie.
Way 1: Build a Quiet Retreat Before Anyone Arrives
The ASPCA’s Thanksgiving safety tips start with a simple idea: give pets a calm place to rest, such as blankets on the floor or an open bedroom door. The setup matters most for animals that bolt at the sound of company, and the ways cats communicate without making a sound are a good guide to spotting a pet that is already done with the party. Cat owners can park the litter box in that same room so the retreat has everything a cat needs, and whether a self-cleaning litter box is worth it is a separate debate.
The AVMA’s Thanksgiving pet safety page adds that a nervous pet can go to another room or a crate with a favorite toy. If a pet is very upset by visitors, the group suggests asking a veterinarian about solutions. Pets also lean on routine, which is the idea behind this vet advice on shifting pet routines 10 minutes at a time, so meals and walks are worth keeping on schedule.
Ways 2 and 3: Keep Medications Up and Trash Out of Reach
Way 2: Ask guests to keep medications out of reach. Coats and bags pile up at pet height, and the ASPCA says “pets ingesting medication is all too common and can be very dangerous.” The group recommends asking guests to keep theirs up and out of reach. A bedroom with a closed door is the easy fix for travelers settling in, whether their gear is one of the luggage sets for holiday trips or one of the carry-on suitcases that skip the checked-bag fee.
Way 3: Empty the trash often. The ASPCA suggests emptying it regularly or keeping pets out of the area, since garbage can hold bones, chocolate and onions, the same culprits in this site’s roundup of Thanksgiving foods to keep from dogs and cats. The AVMA recommends sealing turkey carcasses and bones in a tightly closed bag and keeping it in a closed container outdoors or behind a closed door. Fur and all, the cleanup is easier when a house is already guest-ready despite pet hair. Dogs that copy their owners’ moods, as research on dogs mirroring owners’ routines and emotions suggests, may also settle faster when the host is not rushing from the trash to the oven.
Ways 4 and 5: Keep the Menu Boring and the Treats Separate
Way 4: Stick to the normal diet. The ASPCA recommends keeping pets on their regular food on Thanksgiving. If a bite is shared, it should be boneless and fully cooked, since raw poultry can carry salmonella and bones are a choking hazard. Consistency is the whole point of the day.
Way 5: Offer a separate treat or a puzzle toy. The ASPCA suggests hiding pet-safe treats in a puzzle toy to keep a pet occupied during dinner. It also describes a pet-friendly plate: plain turkey, sweet potatoes and green beans mixed into the regular meal. The group warns to keep bouillon and onions out of that plate.
Door Duty and Knowing When to Call
The AVMA notes that pets can slip out when the front door keeps opening, so watching the door closely matters. It also says a microchip with current contact information improves the chance of a safe return.
If a pet may have eaten something toxic, the ASPCA says to contact a veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435. The AVMA lists sudden behavior changes, depression, pain, vomiting and diarrhea as signs that call for a veterinarian right away.
Guests who carry bags in from the car may be glad to know the plan. A short heads-up that the cat is resting in the bedroom and the dog is being watched near the door makes for a calmer arrival for everyone, including the one who is wearing fur.
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This article was produced with AI assistance and edited for accuracy against the sources linked above.
Image: Khuzaimie – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons
