Talking turkey with your dog

Safe feasting

Supplement, don't replace
Even very healthy human foods can cause stomach trouble in a dog who's used to only kibble or canned. Instead of setting down a full Thanksgiving feast in front of your dog, add a few tidbits of plain (no butter or seasoning) meat or vegetables to your pup's usual fare.

Watch the fat
Holiday food has lots of it, and it can cause stomach upset or even pancreatitis. Keep fatty meat, skin, butter, gravy, and other fatty fare out of your dog's bowl, and make sure he doesn't help himself out of the garbage.

Don't feed your dog what you wouldn't eat
"When vets say don't feed table scraps, we mean don't feed what's left on the plate when you've finished all the good things that would go into the garbage disposal if you didn't have a dog," says Hofve. Fat, gristle, and skin aren't any better for your dog than for you.

No turkey bones
Cooked bones can cause choking or intestinal tearing. Even raw bones aren't a good idea for dogs who aren't used to them, says Hofve.

Steer clear of dangerous foods
There's plenty of food that can actually make dogs sick, like grapes and onions. See complete list.

Find vet-approved recipes
A few online services allow you to customize a meal to you and your dog.

• BalanceIt. You punch in the meat and grain you have on hand, and BalanceIt serves up veterinary nutritionist-approved recipes. You need to pay for each recipe, though: $20 for one, $30 for two, and $12.50 each for three or more.
• Petdiets. A veterinary nutritionist recommends a homemade or commercial diet that's personalized for your dog. The consultation costs $200, with discounts for additional pets.

Thanksgiving (dog) recipes

If you're already cooking for your dog and want to give him his own Thanksgiving treat, here are a few vet-approved recipes, courtesy of Arden Moore, author of Real Food for Dogs.

FIDO THANKSGIVING FEAST
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1 egg
1/2 cup diced cooked turkey meat
1/2 cup chopped broccoli
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

1. Warm the olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mashed potatoes and egg.
3. Pour the potato and egg mix into the pan. Add the turkey and broccoli.
4. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer under the egg is
cooked.
5. Top with the grated cheese and let it cook for a few minutes longer to
allow the cheese to melt.
6. Let cool before serving.

MARVELOUS MUTT MEATBALLS
(This recipe is fit for people, too!)

1 pound ground beef (or ground sirloin)
2/3 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 carrot, finely chopped or grated
1 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs, whisked
3 tablespoons tomato paste (low sodium)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Scoop out by the spoonful and roll into mini-size meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonfat cooking spray.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Cool and store in the refrigerator in a container with a lid.