Thanksgiving Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe

As the holiday feast is spread out on the table, and the tantalizing smells waft through the air, your eager pup will be on the lookout for scraps dropping to the floor or offered directly from well-meaning fingers. After all, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for everything and everyone - human and canine - in your life, and taking the time to celebrate together.

So here are five foods to keep away from your dogs, and five that are OK to share.

Foods NOT to Share:

• Bones. Despite what popular culture would lead you to believe, bones can seriously harm your dog. Not only can they lead to broken teeth, ripped up gums and tongue, but they can easily get stuck in different parts of your dog's body. A bone stuck in the throat can cause choking. Bone pieces can create blockages in the intestines and cuts in the stomach (which causes internal bleeding and possible serious infection).
• Turkey Skin & Raw / Uncooked Turkey. Turkey skin is a fatty food that can strain your dog's pancreas. And raw or uncooked turkey can contain salmonella poisoning.

• Dough / Cake Batter. Raw dough and your dog's own body heat really can cause the dough to rise in your dog's stomach. This can cause vomiting and abdominal pain. Not only that, but many raw dough and batter recipes involve eggs - there's the salmonella poisoning again.
• Onions & Garlic. Onions and garlic contain sulfides. Sulfides are toxic to dogs and harm their red blood cells.
• Beer. Yes, your dog may love beer as much as you do. But it can really upset your dog's body, and should they drink too much, cause a fever, rapid heartbeat, potential seizures, and even liver damage.

Foods SAFE to Share:

• Turkey. Never fear, the same turkey you plan to eat (cooked and no bone), is the same turkey that's safe to share with your pup.
• Sweet Potatoes. Just be sure not to give your dog bites with skin.

 

• Raw Carrots. Good for you, and good for you dog.
• Corn. In small amounts, corn can really give your dog an energy boost. Just don't overdo it.
• Apple Slices. These are another thing best given raw, without any extra sugar that comes from baking it in a pie or the like.

If you pick up a piece of food and just aren't sure, best to err on the side of safety and keep it away from your dog. To make up for it, why not give them an extra scratch behind the ear when you're both lounging on the couch relaxing? They'll still love you even if they can't eat a slice of pie.

All these safety tips and tricks were gathered from multiple sources, many which list even more foods that are safe and not safe for your dog. Feel free to check out TakePart.com and ILoveDogs.com for what's good and not good to eat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

``Hotel for Dogs Staff

Celebrate Halloween with Hotel for Dogs

UPCOMING HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Hotel for Dogs is hosting a party for the upcoming spooky holiday!

DATE: October 30, 2013

TIME: 4pm - 7pm

WHERE: The Hotel for Dogs Facility

152 Magnolia Lane * Middletown, NJ 07748

WHAT: Come prepared for fun! There will be costume contests (one for big dogs, one for small dogs), and free treats for both the dogs and humans. Meet our foster dogs, socialize with fellow pet owners, and more!

For more information, give us a call: 732-533-5370

A New Beginning for An Old Friend!

Bella came to board with us over two years ago. Her dad was going through a divorce. He was traveling a lot. She didn't fit into his life anymore. He was able to walk away from a dog that he had raised since a puppy without a second glance. He decided one day that he wasn't coming back for her. He planned to have a friend of his pick her up and bring her to the vet to be put down. By the time he came to that decision it was too late. We already loved Bella.

 

Bella is loving, loyal and obedient. When you look into her silly eyes you see her heart. She lived at our boarding facility for two years. We tossed her her tennis balls, prepared her meals, loved her and made her as comfortable as we could. We zippered up her coat when the days got cold. We held her when she was sick or sad. There were days when we felt guilty. We knew she deserved a real home. Had the right decision been made to keep her here with us? Were we being selfish? We did our best to make this a home for her while it was her only option and we waited patiently. We hoped and prayed to whoever we all pray to. We waited.

 

One day an email came through. One of our clients had unexpectedly lost their dog at a very young age. It was a horrible tragedy. A family member had reached out looking for a new companion for them because the hole in their home and their hearts from their pet's death was to large to live with. They knew it was soon, but they couldn't wait. The absence of a loving dog in the house only made the tragedy harder to bare. Did we know of a dog for them?

 

Knowing the family and what they were looking for, we knew Bella would be the perfect match. Out of a tragedy, a new beginning for Bella and healing and happiness for a family in a time of great sorrow emerged.

 

I know for me personally the first day she was gone was bitter sweet. I went on with my work and kept my head down at peace in my heart knowing she was with wonderful people who would love her, but I would be lying if I didn't tell you I didn't miss her. I held it together....until two days later when she came to visit with me with her new family. She had a new harness and a new leash. She was shiny. I knew she was freshly washed. Her owners asked questions about food and vet care. They loved her already. They wanted her comfortable and safe. She was on a blanket in the back seat and she had her very own dog seat belt. She got out and she greeted me. It wasn't her typical good morning. It was different. It was a thank you. It may have been with a tongue and a look in her eyes, but I speak dog so I recognized it and I held her. I went over a few things with her family and made plans to visit her in her new home the next day and I waved as they pulled out of the parking lot.  Then I went in my office and cried.

 

There are many dogs available out there. They are good dogs who came upon bad circumstances that they have no control over. They may not be the fanciest or the trendiest, but you will know just the way I know when you look in to their eyes.

-Jackie DeGroat

Owner

Ready for The Fourth of July? Hotel for Dogs Is!

Check Out Our July Boarding Special

One weekend isn't enough!

Celebrate the whole month of July with our Amazing Boarding Special!

 

Going away on vacation? Get a free kennel bath for your dog when they board for 5 or more days!*

 

Call us for more information and to book your appointment now:  

732-533-5370

 

*Nail Trimming, Extra brushing, & long hair dogs requiring blow drying will be extra. Valid for the month of July (2013) only.

Hotel for Dog's 3rd Year Anniversary June Boarding Special Still On-Going

Hotel for Dogs June Boarding Special - Still Available!

Welcome in the Summer with our Boarding Discount!

Going on vacation? Just need a break?

Hotel for Dogs is happy to celebrate its third year in the business! We want to share the love.

For the entire month of June, Hotel for Dogs is offering

15% off boarding/overnight stay.

Don't miss out on a great opportunity!

Start booking your summer plans now!

Hotel for Dogs June Boarding Special!

Welcome in the Summer with our Boarding Discount!

Going on vacation? Just need a break?

Hotel for Dogs is happy to celebrate its third year in the business! We want to share the love.

For the entire month of June, Hotel for Dogs is offering

15% off boarding/overnight stay.

Don't miss out on a great opportunity!

Start booking your summer plans now!

Hotel for Dogs Memorial Day Weekend Grooming Special!

Let your dog shed its winter coat and spring into summer!

We're having a grooming special this weekend: through Monday, May 27th, you'll get $10 off any double coated dogs that need a de-shedding. Just give us a call for more information or to book an appointment, 732-533-5370.

Looking forward to seeing you and your dog(s)!