RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Thanksgiving approaches, many families are preparing to indulge in the traditional feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and more. While it's tempting to share these holiday favorites with our furry companions, experts are urging pet owners to be cautious, as some foods can be dangerous and even fatal for them. Randi Hutton, a licensed veterinary technician at Virginia Veterinary Centers, shared that holiday meals often lead to an increase in emergency visits for pets. "We do have higher volumes during the holidays because people leave the food laying out, so the dogs or cats are going to hop on the table, do some counter surfing," Hutton explained. Hutton, who has over a decade of experience in veterinary care, noted that each year her clinic handles between 60 to 80 emergency cases within a 24-hour period during the holiday season. "30 to 40 percent of these cases are pets eating something they shouldn't have," Hutton added. Foods such as dairy, raisins, turkey skin, yeast bread and fatty items like ham and gravy can lead to serious health issues for pets, including pancreatitis. Courtesy of Richmond Animal League "If left untreated, these guys will have to get hospitalized on fluid therapy, and sometimes it can even lead to worse conditions," Hutton warned. In addition to fatty foods, animal bones can cause dangerous blockages in the gastrointestinal tract, and ingredients like onion and garlic—often found in stuffing—can cause red blood cell destruction, leading to anemia. However, not all foods are off-limits for pets. Hutton suggested that in moderation, pet owners can safely offer their animals plain, cooked turkey or chicken, as well as plain, cooked green beans, sweet potatoes and apples without the seeds. To prevent accidents, Hutton recommends several strategies to keep pets safe during the festivities. Setting up baby gates in the kitchen and keeping food in the center of the table or in the microwave are simple but effective ways to protect pets from sneaking food. As you enjoy your Thanksgiving meal, remember to keep those tempting morsels out of reach of your furry friends to ensure they stay safe and healthy this holiday season.