With Thanksgiving around the corner, you may be wrapped up in planning the holiday yourself or just looking forward to the big meal. Whatever your turkey day future holds, it’s important that dog parents know what Thanksgiving morsels are and aren’t safe to share with your pup. If you’re searching for the quintessential list of which tasty foods on your Thanksgiving dinner menu your dog can eat, look no further.
Please note that salt, spices, and butter are not good for your dog. Some spices can even be toxic. The same is true for some nuts, berries, and sweet confections which will very likely appear on your plate. Put simply, if you want to give your dog Thanksgiving foods, you should cook them separately from foods prepared for humans on this holiday. It’s the easiest way to ensure your pup can enjoy the festivities safely. Isn’t your dog’s health and a little peace of mind worth that marginally extra effort? Trust us, a few more minutes in the kitchen — even when you’re probably tired of the sight of the room — beats spending the night at the emergency vet. So, this Thanksgiving, play it safe and ensure everyone — be they human or four-legged — has a happy holiday spent at home in the company of loved ones.
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Thanksgiving foods safe to share with your dog
Not all foods you think of as safe actually are for your dog. When in doubt, plain preparation of your typical Thanksgiving staples is the best course of action if you’re sharing bites of them with your pup this holiday. Of course, things like carrots, green peas, and brown rice are safe to share, even if they’re not mentioned below. We’ll even look the other way if your dog snuck a snack off the charcuterie board, assuming they went for the cheese and left the cured meats like salami and pepperoni alone.
Turkey
Plain turkey is perfectly safe and even nutritious for your dog. If you want to give your canine plain white turkey meat, go for it! Be sure to remove any skin that may have spices or oils. You can even sprinkle some leftover turkey in your dog’s meals in the days following your big feast. If you are preparing an alternative meat or vegan version of turkey, be wary of the ingredient list. Many contain spices or ingredients which are not suitable for canine consumption — often including onion and even garlic.
Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes are an incredibly nutritious and low-fat snack for your dog. They are high in vitamin B6 and vitamin C, while also aiding in digestion. Be sure to cook your dog’s sweet potatoes, as raw ones are difficult to digest. Simply skinning, cutting, and roasting a sweet potato is a great way to give your dog a healthy treat. You can even cook them in the microwave after washing and piercing the skin with a few holes. Once cooked, carefully remove the skin. Your dog will likely enjoy them sliced, diced, smashed, and even leftover the next day. In fact, some pups even find leftover cooked chunks straight out of the refrigerator to be a tasty treat. Do be sure to avoid scooping out sweet potato casserole for your pet, which often contains sugar and spices pups should avoid — and that’s before we get into whether you top yours with marshmallows or pecans.
Green beans
Plain, cooked green beans provide healthy nutrition for your pup. You can absolutely give your dog a few of these on their Thanksgiving plate. You should not, however, feed your dog green bean casserole. Aside from the fat content, casseroles often contain onions and garlic, which are toxic for dogs. If you sauteed your beans with shallots, garlic, or almonds, avoid sharing them with fido. Accordingly, it’s best to set a few aside before you begin preparing your side dish so your pup gets a few veggies on their plate too.
Pumpkin
Plainly cooked pumpkin is another tasty snack you can share with your pup. This gourd is full of fiber, which aids in digestion. Pumpkin also packs a nutritional punch full of iron and lots of vitamins. However, do not feed your dog pumpkin soufflé or pumpkin pie, as these desserts contain spices and sugars which are not good for dogs. In particular, nutmeg — which is typically found in both pumpkin and sweet potato desserts — is incredibly dangerous to your dog.
Cranberries
Plain cranberries are a wonderful snack for your pup. They are high in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, just to name a few benefits. Plus, most dogs just like the way they taste. That said, some are not fans of the bitter flavor and will undoubtedly let you know that upon their first bite. Be sure to avoid jellied cranberry sauce, which is high in sugar.
Squash
In general, gourds are good for your four-legged friend. Again, you’ll want to stay clear of any casseroles or fried varieties to keep your pup safe.
Straightneck or crookneck squash and zucchini
Regular, old fashioned yellow squash is perfectly fine for fido. If you’re dicing up a straightneck or crookneck squash, or even a green zucchini, your dog will benefit from a few mouthfuls. Whether it’s cooked or raw, it’s best to remove the seeds and skin to prevent any upset stomachs though. Steaming is a great way to keep the veggie chock full of nutrients that your dog can safely enjoy.
Acorn squash
High in vitamin A and beta-carotene, acorn squash is a nice addition to your dog’s food bowl this holiday. Just be sure to remove the skin and scoop out the seeds first.
Spaghetti squash
This fiber-rich dish is just as enjoyable for dogs as it is for their human companions. Cook up some delicious spaghetti squash and share it with your pup to keep them regular this holiday season. That could be a bonus if they got into the cheese plate before the big meal!
Butternut squash
Loaded with vitamin A and lots of B vitamins, butternut squash is a divine culinary delight for your furry friend. While dogs can eat this gourd raw, it’s a lot easier for them to digest when it’s been cooked.
Thanksgiving foods you shouldn’t share with your dog
Just as there are several safe dishes to share with your dog, many Thanksgiving eats are riddled with hidden dangers. Don’t share these foods with your pup.
Bones
All bones — whether they are from a turkey, chicken, ham, or any other roast — are generally unsafe for your dog. They can crack or break off during consumption, which can lead to a scary emergency vet visit if you aren’t careful. That said, turkey meat is perfectly fine — just be sure to remove the bones and skin. Of course, there’s always the option of altogether skipping animal protein in your dog’s diet.
Cranberry sauce
Although cranberries are good for dogs, cranberry sauce is a different story. Loaded with sugar, this tangy, sweet sauce is a no-no for your pup. If your dog has eaten cranberry sauce, they will most likely be fine, save for a little stomach upset. However, if the cranberry sauce was made with a sugar substitute like xylitol, take your dog to the vet immediately. Xylitol is incredibly toxic to dogs. As a heads up, be sure to check your peanut butter labels for this harmful ingredient while you’re at it. Sometimes it’s even labeled as “birch sugar” instead.
Stuffing
Aside from the fact that stuffing is too fattening for dogs, it often contains onions, which are toxic. If your dog has eaten stuffing with onions or garlic, take them to vet to be assessed by a professional. You can, however, share some celery with your dog before you chop it all up to go in what is nearly everyone’s favorite side dish.
Gravy
Gravy recipes differ wildly, but the main three components are fat — either from butter or cooked meat, flour, and stock — often beef, chicken, turkey, or vegetable. These ingredients won’t kill your dog, but they’re not great for them, either. If your dog consumes gravy with onion or garlic — even in powder form — they may be at risk for some negative side effects.
Rolls or biscuits
Rolls or biscuits are a staple of Thanksgiving meals. However, you shouldn’t share them with your dog. They are too fattening and provide no nutritional benefit for your pups. Of course, a tiny taste won’t hurt them, but be warned that dogs often go a bit gaga for bread. With that said, you can make your dog their very own Thanksgiving biscuits for them to enjoy.
Pies or other desserts
Across the board, desserts are not for dogs. Dogs shouldn’t be eating sugar like humans do — especially sugar substitutes. If your dog has eaten a dessert made with a sugar substitute, take them to vet immediately. Additionally, a lot of desserts contain chocolate, which is toxic for dogs. There are loads of Thanksgiving foods to share with your pet, but the apple pie isn’t one of them. Plain apples are just fine, though. Cherries and cherry pies are also a no go.
Enjoy Thanksgiving with your dog
No matter what’s on the menu, the most important thing is spending time with the people and pets your love. Be mindful of what table scraps you and your guests — especially the ones must gullible to puppy eyes and cries — are feeding your pooch. Also take care to clean up your prep and cook space as you go, watching to ensure no dangerous ingredients accidentally end up on the floor. It’s best to remind all of your houseguests about what your dogs can and can’t or shouldn’t eat before trouble comes knocking at your door. If everyone knows to skip out on giving your pup snacks or to be on the lookout for spills, it’ll help you avoid mayhem this turkey day. So, even though you have a million things on your plate — metaphorically, and very soon, literally — take a few extra minutes to put aside a smattering of nutritious bites that are safe to share with your furry friend. Not only will they be thankful for it, you’ll be grateful for a fuss-free Thanksgiving as the best host for humans and canines alike with these foods your dog can eat.
