Your Dog's Thanksgiving Meal: What They Can and Cannot Eat

Holidays are always a great time to indulge in our favorite food, especially Thanksgiving. This goes the same for our beloved pets, whom we never forget on these special occasions. However, some of the traditional meals we serve on Thanksgiving can be harmful to them. Here's a list of dog Thanksgiving meals you can make and the ones to avoid:

Thanksgiving Foods That Are SAFE For Dogs

Foods that are safe to give your dogs on Thanksgiving

Turkey

The star of any Thanksgiving dinner is safe for your doggos to eat. Make sure it is unseasoned, properly cooked, and in small amounts only. 

Mashed Potatoes

Like turkey, mashed white potatoes are an excellent addition to your dog's Thanksgiving meal as long as it is unseasoned, without butter, sour cream, and other additives.

Cranberries

Not everyone is a fan of cranberries, but since it's a traditional part of the usual Thanksgiving dinner, many people serve it. This rings true with your beloved pooches. Some may enjoy it, while others won't. If they do, always give in tiny amounts, as these tart fruits can contain a lot of added sugar, which can be bad for their health. 

Sweet Potatoes

These root crops are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is as good for you as it is for your dogs. You can give them small amounts of these tubers baked, boiled, and without seasonings or toppings. 

Apples

Full of vitamins A and C and plenty of dietary fiber, apples are a healthy treat for your pet dogs. While it is mainly used for desserts, salads, or stuffing, giving the fruit raw to dogs in small, cut-up pieces is best. 

Green Beans

Plain green beans, meaning no butter and seasoning, are a great source of fiber, manganese, vitamins C and K. Give them to your dogs raw, steamed, frozen, or canned. Avoid giving them those served in a casserole or cooked with spices.

Corn

A typical ingredient in many dog food, corn kernels are a healthy treat for your puppers. Avoid giving them the cob, though, which can be a choking hazard or cause blockages in their intestines.

Pumpkin

Share the gratitude with your beloved dogs with a portion of the pumpkin. Although it is used as part of a well-loved dessert, the pumpkin pie, never give it to your dogs in this form. Plain pumpkin is beneficial to dogs as it helps ease constipation. Feed them pureed, canned, or boiled in tiny amounts only (a few tablespoons).

Plain Peas

Peas are a healthy choice for your dog's Thanksgiving meal. Make sure that they are plain and not creamed. This can contain fat that can upset your pup's stomach.

Bread

Baked bread is a fine choice for your dogs. However, limit the amount you give as it can pack on the pounds. Also, ensure it has no seeds, nuts, raisins, or spices that can harm them.

Carrots

Low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients, carrots are great for your dogs. They are also rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene, which can help improve their overall health. Cut them into bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest and prevent choking. 

Celery

Rich in potassium, folate, vitamins, and minerals, celery is an excellent Thanksgiving snack for your dogs. They are also low in fat and calories, so indulge them in bite-sized pieces even after the celebration.

Rice

Plain, cooked white or brown rice can be suitable for healthy dogs in small amounts. Don't feed it if your dog has diabetes or is allergic to it.

Cheese

As long as your dog isn't lactose intolerant, a small amount of cheese can be good for them. Give them as an occasional treat and make sure it is low fat, such as mozzarelle or cottage cheese.

Dogs Thanksgiving Foods That Are NOT Safe For Dogs

On the flip side, here is a list of food that you shouldn't give your dogs, Thanksgiving or not:

Turkey Skin, Bones, and Drippings

While turkey is fine for your dogs, its skin, bones, and drippings are not. Even if the bones were cooked enough, they can still pose as choking hazards. The skin and drippings have high-fat content, which can upset your dog's stomach. It can also cause diarrhea and, worse, pancreatitis.

Gravy

Same with turkey drippings, gravy is a wrong food choice for your dogs. Not only does it contain seasonings, but it also has onion powder and other additives that can cause indigestion and other health problems for your dogs.

Stuffing

Thanksgiving won't be complete without the herbs, spices, butter, and all the good things that make up the stuffing. It may be delicious for you and your family, but it's a no-no for your dogs. They can cause indigestion and a whole lot of problems for your pups.

Grapes and Raisins

These are highly toxic to dogs as they can cause kidney failure. They can cause damage even in small amounts, so avoid them at all costs.

Nutmeg

Commonly used in hot apple cider, pies, and many other Thanksgiving treats and dishes, nutmeg is toxic to dogs. 

Butter

Butter is undoubtedly a key ingredient to many delicious and mouthwatering Thanksgiving dishes. It can make anything taste better. But as it is unhealthy for us humans, so are they with doggos. They can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other life-threatening issues, especially if taken in large amounts. 

Chocolate

Chocolates, candies, and other sweets and food that contain xylitol are toxic to dogs. These can cause their blood sugar to drop and cause acute liver failure. Avoid these, even in small amounts.

Ham

Store-bought ham contains huge amounts of salt, which isn't good for people and dogs. It also has preservatives, which can be toxic to dogs. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, excessive thirst, and urination, among many others.

Wrapping Up

You and your dog can enjoy Thanksgiving by indulging in good food. However, you should keep an eye on what you give your pets. Make sure that your dog's Thanksgiving meal is one that they will love and won't cause them harm.