A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper

A Day in the Life of a Zookeeper
Ever wonder what its like to share your world with a bunch of crazy critters? Tune in to find out!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Thanksgiving Treats for the Critters

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is this week for those of us in the US - where did 2014 go???

I found this article from the ACPCA with some great reminders for keeping your furries safe on Turkey Day. For us - Emma and the kitties will get a bit of  turkey, Winston will get some veges like sweet potato and green beans, and the ferrets will get offers on several things but likely only Theo will try anything as the little girls are not very adventurous in the food department.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for
our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey
or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic
drink.
Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your
pets can enjoy, too.
Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and
well-cooked. Don't offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain
salmonella bacteria.
Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough
Don't spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts,
when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and
bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don't Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the
batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that
may lead to food poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don't allow your pets to overindulge, as
they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular
diets during the holidays.
A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer
them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with
a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles
of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to
extract their dinner from the toy.

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