NOTE: If your dog is experiencing an emergency, Peak Paws Advanced Veterinary Hospital is located at 791 Haybeck Lane Apex, NC 27523. Call us at (919) 605-6300. We are open 24/7.
What Thanksgiving Foods Can Dogs Eat?
If you want to include your pet in Thanksgiving festivities—which, if they’ve made puppy-dog eyes while you’re cooking Thanksgiving dishes, is likely—you’re in luck. Dogs can eat some Thanksgiving dishes, though most likely not the same ones you’ll serve at your Thanksgiving table. In fact, some modified Thanksgiving staples are healthy treats for your dog!
As a general warning, check with your vet before you feed any “human food” to dogs, especially if they have any health conditions. If they’re on a prescription diet, stick with that. We’d also recommend prepping their food ahead of time in their own servings, to prevent contamination from dishes that may contain harmful ingredients for dogs. Enjoy Thanksgiving with the whole family and keep reading for specifics on what foods are and are not up for grabs for your dog’s Thanksgiving feast.
Is It Safe to Feed Your Dog Turkey?
Turkey is a great treat for your dog, though you’ll want to prepare a piece separately from the seasoned turkey you’ll serve to the rest of the family. Fully cooked, unseasoned turkey without skin, fat or bones is a lean, healthy protein you’ll often find as an ingredient in your dog’s regular food. Be careful your dog does not ingest any turkey bones or seasoning, as these can be harmful and will likely require a vet visit. You should avoid feeding them turkey skin as well, even unseasoned, since it can be a choking hazard for dogs.
Is It Safe to Feed Your Dog Sweet Potatoes?
While your dog can’t enjoy sweet potato casserole with the rest of the family, plain, peeled and cooked sweet potato is a safe, healthy treat they’ll likely love. If your dog begs for sweet treats, sweet potato is an ideal replacement. You may even want to save this for their dessert!
Is It Safe to Feed Your Dog Green Beans?
If your dog seems to adore plain green beans with their Thanksgiving meal, they’re not alone—many dogs love green beans! Unseasoned green beans are not only a great addition to your dog’s diet, they’re a healthy, low-calorie treat you can use to reward them for good behavior daily.
Is It Safe to Feed Your Dog Pumpkin?
Boiled and cooked plain pumpkin is healthy and safe for dogs. As with the other foods mentioned, make sure the pumpkin has no added spices, sugars or salt. Pumpkin is good for dogs’ digestive systems, and is high in vitamins, minerals and fiber, so it’s a great choice to complete your dog’s meal.
Are There Other Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs?
Want to spice up your dog’s Thanksgiving with some other seasonally appropriate choices? You can safely add a few other choices in small quantities (again, depending on your dog’s dietary needs) like:
- Seedless, cored apple slices
- Unsweetened applesauce
- A few fresh cranberries
- Unsalted, plain bread
What Thanksgiving Foods Can’t Dogs Eat?
When you’re preparing your pet’s Thanksgiving feast, avoid the following ingredients. While safe for human consumption, dogs have a very different diet and digestive system with their own unique health considerations. As a general rule: when in doubt, leave it out.
Is Stuffing Safe for Dogs?
No, stuffing should be left for your human family to enjoy. Since many stuffing recipes vary according to the chef’s personal preference, there may be unsafe ingredients like onions, garlic or shallots in the recipe. These ingredients harm dogs’ red blood cells, which can lead to life-threatening conditions like anemia.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?
No matter how much begging they may do, your dogs shouldn’t eat mashed potatoes. Often, they contain salt, milk and butter, none of which are recommended for dog consumption. Want to give them something similar? Mash up a plain, peeled baked potato. This shouldn’t be an everyday food, but as part of a treat meal and in small quantities, it’s perfectly fine.
Are Pies and Desserts Safe for Dogs?
Your dog may be eyeing the dessert table meaningfully, but that doesn’t mean they should eat anything on it. Sugar, butter and xylitol make our food more delicious, but aren’t good for your pooch. Sugar isn’t toxic to dogs, but you should limit your dog’s sugar intake to dog-safe fruits like blueberries and strawberries. Butter’s high-fat content won’t sit well with your dog’s stomach and could even lead to pancreatitis. Xylitol, a sugar substitute, is toxic to dogs. Leave the dessert table to the humans, and satisfy your dog’s sweet tooth with some sweet potato or a seedless apple slice.
Is Gravy Safe for Dogs?
Pass the gravy boat around the table, but don’t cave in and give any to your dog. Gravy’s high sodium and fat content makes it an unhealthy choice, but the inclusion of toxic ingredients like garlic or onion seals the deal on keeping it away from dogs. All store-bought gravy should be considered unsafe for dogs. If you’d like to give your pup a like-gravy experience, you can puree a small amount of plain rice to top their meal.
What Other Common Thanksgiving Foods Are Dangerous for Dogs?
When you’re cooking up your Thanksgiving meal, pay attention to what ingredients are in each dish. You may be surprised by some common foods your dog shouldn’t eat. A few more foods to keep away from your pup:
- Cranberry sauce
- Chives and leeks
- All herbs and spices
Additional Tips for Keeping Dogs Safe on Thanksgiving
No matter what you feed your dog, if they’re curious, there’s always the chance they will want to sample your plate too. How can you manage your dog’s behavior and make sure they’re left with a full belly on Thanksgiving? Let’s talk about managing their food intake on Thanksgiving—and ensuring they won’t get into something they shouldn’t.
How Can I Prepare a Dog-Friendly Thanksgiving Plate?
The safest Thanksgiving plate for your dog is one that follows their regular diet. However, we understand wanting to spoil your pup! To give your dog a taste of Thanksgiving with the rest of the family, here’s our recommendations:
- Plain shredded turkey (no bones, skin or fat)
- Unseasoned cooked sweet potato (no more than ¼ of a potato)
- Steamed green beans
- Two slices of seedless apples or unsweetened applesauce
How Do I Monitor My Dog During Thanksgiving Dinner?
If your dog has bigger eyes than their stomach, they aren’t the only one. You likely feed your dog before your family to stave off some of their begging, but there’s always the chance they’ll be underfoot looking for table scraps. Here are some ideas to keep your dog well-behaved during dinner:
- As we mentioned, feed your dog their feast before yours.
- Take them out for a play session or a walk before the festivities start to work off some energy.
- Keep Thanksgiving dishes well out of your dog’s reach.
- Discourage guests from feeding table scraps to your dog.
- Need a distraction? Freeze unsweetened applesauce in a treat feeder to keep your pup busy.
- If needed, create a calm, quiet space for your dog to retreat to when guests arrive.
Make Thanksgiving Safe and Delicious for Your Dog
Celebrating Thanksgiving is all about gathering together with friends and family—including the four-legged members of your family. Your dog’s safety is just as important as any other member of the family, so when feeding your dog any new food, do so with caution. If you’re at all unsure of what’s safe for your dog, get in touch with your veterinarian for specific dietary advice. If you notice any unusual symptoms after your dog eats something new, call your emergency veterinarian immediately. For any pet emergency in the Triangle and beyond, we’re here to help. Have a safe, happy Thanksgiving!
