Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, all the indulgent nomz! While enjoying a table full of yummy dishes, it’s natural to want to share the holiday cheer with your four-legged family members. Cue the most wicked puppy-dog eyes!
However, not all Thanksgiving foods are safe for dogs. To ensure your pup stays healthy and happy during the festivities, here’s a guide to the foods you can safely share with your canine companion. And what to avoid.
Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs
Turkey (Plain and Cooked)
What's Safe: Cooked, skinless, unseasoned turkey meat - great protein source!
What to Avoid:
Turkey skin - can be high in fat; any turkey seasoned with onions, garlic, or other spices. - Excessive fat in the diet can lead to acute or chronic pancreatitis
Cooked bones–keep these far out of reach. Because cooked bones can splinter and pose a choking hazard, they should never be given to dogs.
Sweet Potatoes
What's Safe: Cooked, plain sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, a good source of a little added fiber
What to Avoid: Sweet potato casseroles or dishes with added sugar, marshmallows, or spices.
Green Beans
What's Safe: Plain, steamed green beans are low-calorie and high in fiber, making them a nice occasional snack for dogs.
**If you want your dog to get any nutrients, be sure they are diced, steamed, or put through a food processor. Dogs do not produce the enzyme Amylase, which is necessary for breaking down starches and carbohydrates. Basically, if you want your dog’s body to successfully use the green bean for nutrients, you have to “predigest” the food for their body to access the good stuff.
What to Avoid: Green bean casserole, which often contains cream, onions, and other ingredients that aren’t dog-friendly.
Pumpkin
What's Safe: Plain, cooked, or canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is a digestive aid and a good source of fiber.
What to Avoid: Pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar, spices, and sometimes xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs.
Potatoes
What's Safe: A small amount of plain, cooked potatoes without butter, cream, or seasonings can be shared.
What to Avoid: Mashed potatoes with garlic, onions, butter, or heavy cream.
**NEVER feed raw potatoes to your dog. Raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to some dogs and can lead to major health consequences. Cooking potatoes reduces the amount of solanine to generally non-toxic levels. But if you are wary, skip feeding the potatoes altogether.
Carrots
What's Safe: Raw or cooked plain carrots are a crunchy, vitamin-rich treat.
Again, properly prep this carbohydrate so your dog’s body can process the food and use it effectively for its natural health benefits.
What to Avoid: Avoid carrots glazed or seasoned with sugar or spices.
Apple Slices
What's Safe: Raw apple slices are a sweet, fiber-rich dog snack.
**Yep, you guessed it—you better be sure to “pre-digest” this health treat for your dog so it's actually useful and yummy.
What to Avoid: Apple pie, applesauce, or apple desserts with added sugar or spices.
Be sure to remove all seeds and the core, as apple seeds contain cyanide.
Cranberries
What's Safe: Plain, cooked, and processed cranberries can be a tasty treat in moderation.
Try mashing up a few cooked cranberries and freezing on a lick mat or ice cube for a cool, delicious treat that offers health benefits like healthy urinary function.
What to Avoid: canned cranberries or sauce with added sugars and seasonings.
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid
Some foods on the Thanksgiving table are best kept away from your dog. Here’s a list of typical holiday dishes that are unsafe:
Stuffing: Often contains onions, garlic, raisins, or spices that are toxic to dogs.
Grapes/Raisins: even a single grape might lead to acute kidney damage or failure in some dogs, so keep your dogs away from these foods
Onions, scallions, leeks, shallots, chives: these are not dog-friendly vegetables
Gravy: High in fat and often seasoned with ingredients harmful to dogs.
Cranberry Sauce: Many recipes include sugar or artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol.
Pies/Desserts/Chocolate: These typically contain sugar, spices, and sometimes chocolate or nutmeg, which are toxic to dogs.
Nutmeg: This spice is used often in various holiday dishes but is toxic to dogs.
Alcohol: Even small amounts can be dangerous and should never be given to pets.
Buttered or seasoned foods: excess fat can lead to digestive upset or pancreatitis, and many seasonings can be toxic for dogs.
Fatty Foods: Foods like buttery rolls, fried dishes, and turkey skin can cause digestive upset or even pancreatitis.
Casseroles: Casseroles are often made with multiple fatty ingredients or spices that are not dog-friendly.
Yeast rolls: yeast-based bread dough (cooked or uncooked) can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.
Bones: cooked bones change in consistency and can easily splinter, causing intestinal blockage or injury.
Nuts: many nuts are toxic to dogs
Xylitol: (also called birch sugar) This very commonly found artificial sweetener is found in many foods, so be sure to read the label and keep it far away from your dog. It is exceptionally toxic and potentially fatal for a dog.
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Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving with Your Dog
Feed in Moderation: Even safe foods should be given in small amounts to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach. And if you aren’t sure about a particular food, just don’t feed it.
Watch for Allergies: If your dog hasn’t tried a particular food before, introduce it cautiously or skip sharing it with your dog.
Keep Trash Secure: Bones, food wrappers, and scraps can be tempting and hazardous to curious dogs.
Create a Dog-Friendly Plate: Set aside a small portion of safe, plain foods before adding seasoning for your human guests.
Create a pet-free kitchen and dining space: Holiday prep can get messy, so consider a setup that keeps your dog out of the kitchen and dining area.
Educate your guests: Let your guests and family know you do not want them to feed any food to your dog and to keep an eye on their plates and cups.
Consider crate time for your dog: Holiday visits are often high-energy and full of distractions. While some dogs tolerate this well, others may not. Consider simply tucking your dog in for the day for some quiet, safe rest time in the crate or their special safe space. Your dog might appreciate the time away from the Holiday chaos…I mean cheer. By advocating for your dog’s space this way, you avoid mishaps and misunderstandings.
Always remember, you can consult your vet. If you have concerns about what your dog can and cannot eat, consult your veterinarian or certified canine nutritionist. When in doubt, just stick to their regular diet.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to bond with your loved ones—including your pets. Knowing which foods are safe to share can keep your dog healthy and happy during the holiday. You and your canine companion can enjoy a festive feast with a little preparation!
The more you know, the better you can do to advocate for your dog’s well-being.
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