A little prep goes a long way
Introduce pets and guests
You wouldn't fail to introduce a new person to your family and friends on Thanksgiving, so you shouldn't leave your pets out of that process. Even if your guests have met your pet in the past, make an introduction so you can see how your pet responds to new people. You should do these introductions even if your pet is usually friendly towards everyone. You never know how your pet will react with a house full of people and delicious food everywhere.
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Know that not all guests are pet people
Not everyone welcomes a dog or cat's presence, especially around food. Understand and accept your guests' feelings and act accordingly to make them feel comfortable at your house. That may mean leaving the dog outside for most of the day, or keeping your kitty in a quiet room somewhere away from the party. Don't take this personally or view it as an insult—some people just don't like pets. Not everyone understands why you think it's perfectly fine to let your dog beg for a handout.
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Pet-proof food serving area
Ever see that scene in "A Christmas Story" when the neighbor's hound dogs sneak in the house and eat almost all of the Thanksgiving turkey? That could happen to you if you're not careful about keeping food out of the reach of your pets. Keep food high enough so your pet can't reach it. If you have a counter-hopping cat, make sure you cover all your food items, especially if you're not going to be around to shoo it away. And remember, tall dogs can easy reach the tops of counters. Taking measures to prevent your pets from having access to your Thanksgiving meal will both save your holiday and save your pet from an upset stomach or something worse.
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Keep allergies in mind
To some people, having pets around means hours of sneezing and sniffling—hardly something anyone wants to do during Thanksgiving. There's not much you can do to prevent allergic reactions, but you can make an effort to lessen the issue. Keep your pets away from the party by segregating them into a quiet room. Vacuum, dust and wipe down your home to get rid of as many allergens as possible.
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Mind the door
Having a house full of family and friends means that front door is going to get a lot of action. This could cause an issue if you have a stealthy cat that likes to sneak out or a dog with a tendency to bolt. You could try your luck and ask your guests to remember to close the door, but why burden them with that issue? Keep your escape-artist pet in a room where it can't get out or restrict its movement with a baby gate so that it can't get to the front door at all. This will prevent an incident where you're spending your Thanksgiving night worrying or out in the streets looking for your pet.
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Alone time
Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner at your house, with all the new people, the kids and the tempting smells of cooking food can be stressful and confusing for a pet. Give your furry friend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the party in a quiet room in the house or outside in the yard for part of the day. This is especially true if you have little ones visiting and your pet isn't used to being around kids.
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