Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which means there is plenty to be done, planning each dish and table setting. With so much going on, it’s important to keep in mind that there will be a lot of food around and you might not be able to give your dog your full, undivided attention.

This gives your pup plenty of opportunities to sneak some bites off the table. Human food can be a hazard to your dog, sometimes even fatal.

The American Kennel Club suggests the following tips to ensure your pup doesn’t get their paws on your holiday dishes.

Keep food out of sight. Be sure to keep an eye on the table during the Thanksgiving meal and put all leftovers away. Any food left out or in reach can tempt your dog to grab it off the table.

Avoid feeding your pup table scraps. Those puppy dog eyes can be very convincing and hard to avoid when they are begging. However, it is best to avoid doing so. While a small piece of turkey as a treat may be OK, many foods such as stuffing, pies, cookies and other foods are not good for your dog. Be sure your guests also know not to feed your dog from the table.

Not all bones are safe. You may be tempted to share bones off your plate with your pup, but it is best to avoid doing so. Turkey bones for example can pose a serious choking hazard and can lead to an emergency trip to the veterinarian.

Take the garbage out. Make sure the garbage is disposed of right away to avoid the risk of your dog getting into the trash and snagging something for themselves.

Create a comfortable environment. If you are hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner at your home, remember that not every dog is comfortable being around large groups of people. And your guests may be afraid of being around a dog. To keep everyone, including your dog, comfortable and safe, you may want to keep your pup in a separate room or even in their crate to avoid any mishaps.

For more tips on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC website at www.akc.org.

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