Thanksgiving should be about gratitude, family, and delicious food - not rushing your dog to the emergency vet at 2 AM because they ate garlic mashed potatoes. After 20+ years in the pet care business, I've seen it all: the good, the bad, and the "why did you feed your dog turkey bones?" ugly.

Whether you're hosting, traveling, or staying home with your furry family members, this guide will help you navigate the holiday safely. And if you're one of the 47 million Americans traveling this week, we'll explain why having a trusted professional pet sitter beats scrambling for last-minute Rover bookings every single time.

🦃 The #1 Thanksgiving Danger: Foods That Can Kill Your Pet

Let's start with the scary stuff. These common Thanksgiving foods are toxic to dogs and cats:

Absolutely NO (Emergency Vet Territory):

Turkey bones - Can splinter and puncture intestines
Onions & garlic - Found in stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes - causes anemia
Grapes & raisins - Even small amounts cause kidney failure
Chocolate desserts - Theobromine toxicity (dark chocolate is worst)
Xylitol - Sugar-free pies and desserts can be fatal
Alcohol - Even a small amount is dangerous
Nutmeg - Common in pumpkin pie, causes seizures
Raw bread dough - Expands in stomach, produces alcohol

Proceed with Caution (Small Amounts Only):

Turkey meat - Plain, no skin, no seasoning (small portions)
Plain green beans - No butter, garlic, or fried onions
Plain sweet potato - No marshmallows or butter
Plain pumpkin - NOT pumpkin pie filling (too much sugar)

Pro Tip: If you're hosting and want to include your pet, prepare a separate "pet plate" with plain turkey, steamed green beans, and sweet potato. No seasonings, no butter, no gravy. Your dog walker or pet sitter can help with this if you're overwhelmed with prep!

✈️ Traveling for Thanksgiving? Here's What Pet Parents Need to Know

With Fairfield County families traveling to visit relatives across Connecticut, New York, and beyond, you've got three options:

Option 1: Bring Your Pet

Best for: Calm, well-socialized pets with flexible travel destinations

Checklist:

Call ahead to confirm pet-friendly accommodations
Pack familiar items (bed, toys, food, medications)
Update ID tags and microchip info
Bring vaccination records (some hotels require them)
Plan for bathroom breaks every 2-3 hours on long drives
Never leave pets in hot cars (yes, even in November!)

Reality Check: If your destination involves:

A house full of screaming kids who've never met your anxious rescue
Elderly relatives who "don't do dogs in the house"
A long flight with layovers
Multiple households over 4 days

...your pet will be happier at home with a professional caregiver. Trust us on this one.

Option 2: Board Your Pet

Best for: Social dogs who love other dogs and don't mind kennels

Downsides:

Boarding facilities often charge 2-3x normal rates during holidays
Many are fully booked by October (seriously)
Stressful for anxious or senior pets
Exposure to kennel cough and other illnesses
Your pet sleeps in an unfamiliar place surrounded by barking dogs

Option 3: Hire a Professional Pet Sitter (The Smart Choice)

Best for: Pet parents who want peace of mind and their pet's comfort

Here's why our pet sitting clients sleep better on vacation:

Your pet stays home - No stress, same routine, same bed
It's the same person - Not a stranger from Rover you interviewed 2 hours before your flight
They already know your pet - Because they've been walking them 3x/week all year
No holiday price gouging - Our membership clients get priority scheduling at normal rates
Real-time updates - Photos, GPS tracking, and visit confirmations via the Time to Pet app

Real Story: Last Thanksgiving, we had a client traveling to Boston whose senior lab started limping during her visit. Our pet sitter (who'd been caring for this dog for 8+ years) noticed immediately, sent photos, and coordinated with the vet. The issue was caught early because she knew this dog. A random Rover walker wouldn't have spotted it.

That's the difference between a transaction and a relationship. Learn more about why relationships matter →

🏠 Staying Home? Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pet-Friendly Hosts

Before Guests Arrive:

Create a "safe room" - Bedroom or office where your pet can retreat from chaos
Stock it with essentials - Water, bed, favorite toys, calming music
Update your pet's ID tags - Doors will be opening constantly; escape risk is real
Prep guests - Text ahead: "Please don't feed the dog. Seriously. NOT EVEN A LITTLE."

During the Party:

Designate a "pet guardian" - One person responsible for monitoring your pet
Keep trash locked away - Turkey bones and food scraps are dangerous
Watch the door - Delivery drivers, late arrivals, kids running outside = escape risk
No table scraps - Even if Grandma insists "just a little turkey won't hurt"

After Guests Leave:

Check the yard for dropped food - Guests drop stuff everywhere
Secure all trash - Overnight raids happen
Give your pet quiet time - They're exhausted too

🚨 Emergency Preparedness: When Things Go Wrong

Most veterinary clinics are closed on Thanksgiving. Know your emergency options before you need them:

Connecticut Emergency Vet Clinics (Open 24/7):

MedVet Norwalk - 410 New Canaan Avenue, Norwalk, CT - (203) 854-9960
VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center - 948 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT - (203) 929-5601
Pieper Memorial Veterinary Center - Middletown, CT - (860) 347-8387

Save these numbers NOW. Program them into your phone. Text them to your pet sitter. Print them and stick them on your fridge.

🧪 Poison Control Hotlines:

If your pet has a HomeAgain microchip with active registration ($25/year membership):

Call HomeAgain Emergency Medical Hotline: 1-888-466-3242
Press Option 2 for emergency services
Have your pet's microchip number ready
FREE poison control access included with your subscription

For all other pets:

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
$95 consultation fee applies, but worth every penny

💡 Why Membership Clients Have the Easiest Thanksgiving

Here's a typical scenario we see every November:

Non-Member Experience:

October 15: "We should probably find a pet sitter..."
November 1: "Oh crap, all the good boarders are booked."
November 15: Frantic Rover searches, interviewing strangers
November 24: Anxiously texting a person you met once: "Did you feed him?"
November 28: Coming home to discover your dog had diarrhea for 3 days and the sitter didn't tell you

Membership Client Experience:

October 15: Contact Robyn at the office or submit through the client portal: "We're traveling Nov 24-28, need pet sitting coverage"
October 16: "Your regular walker is already scheduled! All set."
November 24-28: Real-time updates with photos via the client portal. Your pet's routine doesn't change. You actually enjoy your vacation.
November 28: Come home to a happy, calm pet who barely noticed you were gone.

That's the power of having a dedicated team who already knows your pet, your home, and your routine. Our salaried W-2 salaried employees aren't gig workers juggling 47 clients - they're professionals earning a fair wage with 10+ year tenure who genuinely care about your pet.

Curious about our services? Contact us to learn more →

🎯 Thanksgiving Week Schedule Adjustments

Many Fairfield County families have modified schedules this week. Here's how to handle it:

If You're Working from Home More Often:

Your dog still needs their walks! Working from home doesn't replace exercise and mental stimulation. In fact, having your regular walker come midday gives YOU a break too.

If Your Kids Are Home from School:

Teenagers sleeping until noon ≠ responsible pet care. Your pet's routine should stay consistent, even during school breaks.

If You're Hosting Out-of-Town Guests:

Consider keeping your regular dog walking schedule. Why?

Gives your pet a break from houseguests
Maintains their routine (prevents anxiety)
Gives YOU time to prep meals and entertain guests
Ensures your dog gets proper exercise even when you're busy

🙏 What We're Thankful For (From Our Team)

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, and we're incredibly thankful for:

Our clients who trust us - Some of you have been with us for 15+ years. That means the world.
The pets we care for - Every tail wag, purr, and silly puppy antic makes this job worthwhile.
Our incredible team - Many of our staff have been with us for over a decade. That's rare in this industry.
The Fairfield County community - Westport, Easton, Trumbull, Fairfield - you've made this business possible.

From our family to yours: Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🐾

Need Help This Thanksgiving Week?

Whether you need last-minute pet sitting, daily dog walks, or just advice on keeping your pet safe during the holiday, we're here to help.

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what real families in your community have shared about their experience with us:

Stress-Free Thanksgiving with Pets: Travel, Safety & Peace of Mind