Local vet says to avoid feeding pets from the table this Thanksgiving

With lots of food on the table Thursday, your pets will probably be begging you for a bite. While it can be tempting, a local vet says you should avoid feeding your pet from the table.

Erica Richards, a veterinarian at Massanutten Animal Clinic, says there is usually a spike in sick pets that have eaten too much after Thanksgiving.

"Normally the day after Thanksgiving is one of the busier days unfortunately with sick pets," Richards said, "because they have upset tummies from eating too much the day before. We probably see anywhere between 10 to 12 pets the day after a holiday."

There are also foods that are toxic to pets on the table. Anything high in fat or containing raw eggs, chocolate or bones can be very dangerous for pets to eat. Bones can get stuck in their intestines, causing serious health problems, and fatty foods could cause pancreatitis, vomiting and diarrhea.

They recommend keeping your pet in a separate room away from food and making sure they have a treat of their own.

"Making sure they have their own meal that they actually like," Richards said, "maybe an extra dog treat or cat treat that would be healthy for them to eat is what we would recommend."

It's also a good idea to keep them from getting into food in other ways by putting away any food that's left out on the table and taking out the trash.

Richards says if you think your pet got into table food or the trash, or is showing signs of sickness, you should contact your vet right away.