Every year, as special occasions roll around, pet owners across the country face the same adorable but guilt-inducing scene: our furry family members' mournful, pleading eyes. Whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, a birthday celebration, or any other festive gathering, our pets somehow become convinced that we've forgotten to feed them for days, and they're desperately trying to hypnotize us into sharing our delicious spread. 

While it's tempting to slip them a sliver or a morsel, it's crucial to remember that many holiday foods are distinctly unhealthy for our beloved fur babies. 

What NOT to feed them during special occasions

• Turkey: The centerpiece of many celebrations, turkey often comes smothered in butter and seasoned with ingredients like onions, garlic, or various spices – none of which are safe for pets. If you want to treat them to some turkey, make sure it's plain and cooked specifically for them.
• Ham: Pork is a no-no for dogs, as consuming it can lead to pancreatitis, diarrhea, or vomiting.
• Onions: Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, which can cause anemia in dogs. This harmful substance is also found in garlic, leeks, and raw cabbage.
• Stuffing: As delicious as it is, stuffing usually contains ingredients that are dangerous for pets, such as grapes or raisins, wine, or onions.
• Nuts: Almonds, macadamias, pecans, and walnuts might be tasty for us, but they can cause pancreatitis, diarrhea, and vomiting in pets.
• Sweets: Pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, cookies, and other desserts are off-limits for our furry friends. However, plain cooked pumpkin from a can is okay, as long as it's free from added sugars.
• Xylitol: This low-calorie sweetener can sneak into various dishes and desserts, posing a severe threat to dogs and cats. It's toxic for them, so be cautious of any foods containing xylitol.
• Chocolate: Chocolate is dangerous due to its theobromine content, which pets cannot metabolize. It can lead to seizures, diarrhea, or vomiting if consumed.
• Caffeine: Sources of caffeine like coffee, tea, and soda should be kept out of reach, as they can cause seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, and even death in pets.
• Alcohol: While you may not intentionally give your pets alcohol, be cautious during gatherings, as they might attempt to sneak sips from drinks like eggnog or punch. Dogs and cats can't tolerate alcohol, resulting in vomiting, dehydration, and liver or kidney issues.

Superfoods for Your Pet

Superfoods like kale and broccoli are finding their way into pet foods as owners prioritize healthy nutrition for their animals. However, ensuring that the superfoods you feed your pets are safe is essential. Not all foods that benefit us are suitable for our furry friends. If you prefer to skip expensive packaged dog food, add superfoods like carrots, kale, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes to your dog's diet.

Closing

No matter which occasion you're celebrating, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other special day, keeping your pets away from harmful foods is an act of love and responsibility. So, wherever you are and however you're marking the occasion, I wish you and your furry friends a happy and healthy celebration.

I had the pleasure of discussing holistic pet wellness with my colleague Wilma Shaw, a certified Holistic Pet Wellness Coach. Our conversation shed light on the increasing health issues in our beloved fur babies and the need for a holistic approach to their well-being. Below I share the key takeaways from our interview, provide practical tips for achieving holistic pet wellness, and highlight the importance of mindful nutrition.

Shifting from Reactive to Preventive Care

One of the primary issues addressed in our discussion was the over-reliance on chemical treatments and reactive care methods for our pets. Wilma emphasized the importance of mindful prevention rather than simply treating symptoms. For example, just as with humans, pets can be overexposed to toxic chemicals which can build up in their bodies and contribute to chronic illness or other challenging health conditions.  By taking proactive measures such as natural flea control methods like nematodes in our yards and essential oils as repellents, we can drastically reduce the chemical burden on our pets. 

Taking a Holistic Approach

Wilma began her adult working life as an electrical engineer before transitioning to holistic nutrition and from there to holistic pet wellness. Along the way she developed an awareness of the benefits of holistic health and lifestyle measures.  And then came to understand that there was a need for a more comprehensive approach to our pets' health. Wilma advocates considering the interconnectedness of pets from physical, emotional, and environmental perspective. By looking at our pets more holistically pet parents can address the root causes of health issues and promote long-term vitality and happiness for our furry friends

She also shared that frequently, although her practice is now geared toward holistic pet wellness, she often works with the entire family. This is because we live in a community setting with all the people and pets in a home. Implementing practices that are beneficial for some family members usually turns out to be supportive for the household.

Questioning Vaccination Practices

One challenging topic of conversation that was raised concerns frequent vaccinations and the lack of individualized care provided by traditional veterinary medicine. Again, as humans we are all bio-individual.  When working with a practitioner it’s best if they’re focusing on the specifics for your needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.  

The same turns out to be true for our pets, requiring a more individualized approach because not every animal is exactly the same.  Even more Wilma pointed out, "I don't like the idea of vaccinating animals when they are ill or when they are going through something else. If you're working with healing their gut or detoxing skin allergies, something like that. I don't like the idea of introducing something else into the mix."  Wilma suggested having informed discussions with your veterinarian and exploring alternatives such as titer tests to measure antibody levels. This approach allows you, as a pet parent, to make informed decisions about your pets' vaccination needs based on their individual health circumstances.

The Power of Nutrition

The focus on holistic nutrition advocates for looking at the significant impact of diet on our pets' overall health. Opting for real, nutrient-dense food rather than highly processed kibble is essential. Additionally, mindful food choices based on an understanding of bioindividuality ensure that each pet's unique nutritional needs are met.

Cooking for Your Pet

Humans do best with a real, whole food diet that does not include ultraprocessed foods and non-nourishing ingredients. It turns out that’s a important for all living things.  Wilma shared her personal experience of cooking for her pet and its transformative effects. By preparing meals at home, pet parents gain control over the ingredients and can carefully monitor their pet's reaction to different food items. Keeping a food journal proves invaluable in identifying allergies or sensitivities, enabling pet parents to tailor pet  meals to perfection. 

Holistic Pet Health Coaching

As a pet parent, if you have concerns about your pets that you feel are not being addressed by mainstream veterinary care, you may want to consider looking for a holistic wellness pet coach in your area. With the rise in chronic illnesses among pets, Wilma emphasized how these professionals can bridge the gap between traditional veterinary care and proactive, holistic approaches to pet wellness. 

Holistic pet wellness coaches focus on uncovering the root causes of health issues and provide personalized guidance to pet parents who seek to empower their pets with optimal health.  It’s not an either or situation, this is an opportunity to blend conventional and complimentary wellness practices together to create the best possible scenario for caring for your fur babies. Wilma also shared that she was not concerned about there being too many of holistic pet wellness coached because the chronic illness rates in pets is on the rise. 

In our ever-evolving understanding of pet wellness, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach to our pets' physical and emotional well-being. By taking preventive measures, questioning traditional practices, and prioritizing mindful nutrition, we can ensure our furry friends enjoy vibrant health throughout their lives. 

Holistic pet health coaches can play a vital role in guiding pet parents towards making better-informed decisions for their pets' wellness.

To delve deeper into this topic, you can watch Pet Fooled, a thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the pet food industry. By giving careful consideration to our pets' nutritional needs and bioindividuality, we can set them on a path to long-lasting vitality and happiness.

Remember, our pets rely on us to make the best decisions for their well-being. Let's embrace a holistic approach to pet wellness to create a healthier, happier future for our furry companions.