Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with loved ones—dogs included! But as you’re loading up your plate with turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, it’s important to remember that not all Thanksgiving foods are safe for you to sneak under the table for your pup.
Myriam Doré, an animal health technician notes, "Dogs can enjoy a little Thanksgiving treat too! Stick to simple, unseasoned foods and make sure to avoid anything too rich or spicy."
Generally, turkey bones, fatty foods, and ingredients like onions are unsafe for dogs. But, don’t worry, there are other ways you can include your dog in Thanksgiving while still keeping them safe.
Safe Foods Dogs Can Eat on Thanksgiving
Myriam notes that there are lots of yummy foods dogs can enjoy with us this Thanksgiving, including:
- Turkey: Cooked turkey meat is a lean protein that dogs can enjoy in most cases. Remove the skin, seasoning, and bones before serving.
- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are full of vitamins and fiber, making them a good choice for most dogs. Serve them plain without butter, sugar, or marshmallows.
- Green beans: Green beans are a low-calorie snack full of vitamins. Serve them plain and avoid adding salt, butter, or seasonings to keep them safe.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin can actually be very good for dogs! But avoid pumpkin pie filling, as it often contains added sugar and spices. Instead, use fresh pumpkin or buy canned pumpkin that is 100% pumpkin with no additives.
- Apples: Apples are another safe treat for dogs. Be sure to remove the seeds, core, and skin as they can cause digestive blockages.
- Cauliflower: Plain, mashed cauliflower is also fine for your pup to enjoy. Just be sure it doesn’t contain any cream or seasonings.
- Squash: Squash is a healthy veggie for dogs as long as the seeds and skin are removed.
- Carrots: Plain carrots are a healthy snack for dogs, but avoid giving your dog carrots cooked in salt, sugar, or other seasonings.
The key is to stick to plain, unseasoned options for these foods. Often, excessive salt and seasonings can be toxic to dogs. By sticking to these plain options, your dog can safely enjoy Thanksgiving along with the rest of the family!
Foods to Avoid Giving Your Dog on Thanksgiving
Myriam also shares several foods that dogs should avoid on Thanksgiving, as they can be harmful or even toxic including:
Be sure to steer clear of these foods and always check ingredient labels. Sometimes, foods that look safe actually have added ingredients that may be harmful to your pup. Luckily, though, there are still plenty of safe foods for your pup to enjoy during Thanksgiving.
Best Practices for Sharing Thanksgiving with Your Dog
How can you share safely with your dog on Thanksgiving? Below are some simple tips.
1. Moderation is Key
Thanksgiving might feel like a feast for all, but it’s important to limit how much you share with your dog. Even the dog-safe foods listed above should be treated as snacks, not whole meals. Too much of a good thing can lead to digestive upset (or a very messy cleanup after dinner!).
Myriam recommends dog owners “keep portions small!”
2. Make a Special Plate for Your Dog
Set aside a small plate of plain, safe foods for your dog before you season the dishes. Add a bit of cooked turkey breast, plain sweet potato, and steamed carrots to a doggy plate as you cook. This will help you remember that that particular plate is dog-safe and free from seasonings.
3. Keep Them Occupied During Dinner Time
“To avoid begging around the table, consider using an Earth Rated Dog Enrichment Toy,” recommends Myriam. “These amazing toys are perfect for stuffing with food or treats, keeping your dog entertained, focused, and mentally stimulated during dinner. It’s a great way to keep Fido engaged and out of the way while you enjoy your meal!”
Other stimulating dog toys may also work. The key is finding something that will distract your dog during the festivities.
4. No Leftovers
It can be tempting to give dogs table scraps, especially several days after Thanksgiving when you’re no longer excited about eating turkey! But, Myriam mentions that many human foods contain harmful ingredients like salt, butter, garlic, or onions, which can be toxic to dogs, and you may forget which foods are seasoned with what.
5. Educate Your Guests
“If you're hosting, make sure your guests know the importance of not feeding your dog from the table,” recommends Myriam. “Remind them about foods that can be harmful, such as chocolate, grapes, and nuts.”
Most people can’t resist puppy dog eyes (and who can blame them!) but it’s important they know that sneaking food under the table could lead to the dog getting an upset tummy and nobody wants that!
6. Watch for Begging
It’s normal for all dogs to beg a bit. But, this can make the odds of them eating something unsafe higher (especially if there are children around). Myriam suggests that dogs who are prone to begging should be put in another room during dinner to avoid the temptation of feeding them something they shouldn't have.
Separation doesn’t have to happen for the whole gathering, either! Just while everyone is eating.
A Quick Recap
Thanksgiving is a time for sharing, and that includes your pup! Stick to safe foods like plain turkey, sweet potatoes, carrots, and green beans. Some common Thanksgiving ingredients can be harmful to dogs, like garlic and chocolate.
Always double-check ingredient lists for unsafe ingredients, especially cranberry sauce and canned pumpkin. Making good food choices for your dog lets you and your pup have a worry-free, joyful Thanksgiving!
Don’t forget to pick up your Earth Rated Enrichment Toy to keep your pup busy while everyone is eating!
FAQs
What foods can dogs have on Thanksgiving?
Dogs can enjoy plain, unseasoned Thanksgiving foods in moderation. Safe options include cooked turkey (without skin or bones), plain sweet potatoes, steamed green beans, carrots, pumpkin, and apple slices (without seeds). Avoid foods with added ingredients, like butter, sugar, or spices.
What stuffing is safe for dogs on Thanksgiving?
Most stuffings aren’t safe for dogs on Thanksgiving, as they usually contain ingredients like onions, garlic, butter, and seasonings. But, you can make a simple dog-safe stuffing out of plain, cooked turkey, sweet potatoes, and steamed green beans.
