Thanksgiving is a unique time of the year when the family can get together for a big meal. Your dog might want to participate in the fun, too, but a lot of common Thanksgiving dishes are not dog friendly.
You don’t have to share a plate of human food; you can make a simple Thanksgiving dog food recipe using plain, dog-friendly ingredients instead.
This is an at home meal that can feature cooked turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot and green beans. These ingredients can be a delicious treat or kibble topping for most healthy dogs.
But each dog is unique. Allergic, sick or special diet dogs may require special diets. When in doubt, consult with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Thanksgiving Food?
Certain Thanksgiving dishes are safe for dogs if they’re cooked without the following ingredients:The following ingredients may not be safe for dogs, but you can make Thanksgiving foods safe to eat if they’re removed.
Many dogs can eat plain cooked turkey, pumpkin, carrots, green beans and sweet potato.
Unfortunately, many traditional Thanksgiving foods have butter, salt, onion, garlic, gravy, spices, sugar or other ingredients dogs should not eat.
It is easier to control a simple homemade recipe, since you can be sure of what your dog is taking in once he eats it.
Easy Thanksgiving Dog Food Recipe
This is a basic Thanksgiving recipe that’s easy to put together and great for the dogs!
Ingredients
1 plain cup turkey (cooked)
1/2 cup cooked plain sweet potato
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (no salt or spices)
- 1/2 cup cooked carrots
1/2 cup of cooked green beans
If necessary a bit of water,
All ingredients must be simple and well cooked.
No salt, butter, gravy, onion, garlic, sugar or seasoning shall be added.
Cooking Thanksgiving Dog Food is Simple
Making Thanksgiving Dog Food is easy.
Preheat the oven to 150 degrees until the turkey is ready to cook.
Cook turkey thoroughly.
Trim all bones, skin and excess fat.
Avoid turkeys that are cooked with onion, garlic, heavy seasonings or gravy.
Divide the turkey into bite-size pieces.
Wash the Sweet Potato and Peel It
Wash and peel the Sweet Potato.
Cook sweet potato until soft.
Peel and pound in a food processor or similar.
Add no butter, milk, sugar, cinnamon, salt or other seasonings.
Wash, Peel, and Chop the Vegetables for the Recipe
Wash, peel and chop vegetables for recipe.
You can make carrots and green beans easier for your dog to chew by cooking them.
Slice into small pieces.
No butter, salt, garlic, onion or sauces!
Step 4: Add Pumpkin
Try to use plain pumpkin puree.
When using canned pumpkin, be sure to read the label and select plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.
Step 5: Mix Everything
In a bowl, combine turkey, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots and green beans.
Mix them together.
If the mixture appears dry, moisten with a little water.
Cool to a safe temperature before serving.
The Reasons for Using Turkey for Dogs
The benefits of feeding turkey to dogs.
Plain cooked turkey is a good source of protein and can make a great treat for many dogs.
Turkey should be cooked to your preferred degree, served boneless and skinless, with little or no fat, season and sauce.
Turkey bones are particularly significant to steer clear of. Cooked bones can splinter and may be sharp or cause digestive tract injuries.
Avoid feeding your dog leftover turkey from a plate if it is gravy or onion, garlic, or seasoned to the extreme.
Yes, Pumpkin is Safe for Dogs to Eat
Pumpkin is safe for dogs to consume.
It is commonly used in dog food and homemade dog treats.
It has water and dietary fibre content.
Some dogs, even healthy ones, can have a little that is offered in a home-cooked meal.
However, too much pumpkin may cause digestive upset.
Always use plain pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling does not have to be the same and may have sugar and spices.
Sweet Potatoes Are Safe for Dogs
Cooked sweet potato in plain or can be ok for many dogs.
Cook until soft and skin can be removed.
Serve plain, and no butter, salt or sugar or seasoning.
Sweet potatoes are carbohydrates and calorie-rich, so it’s important to keep an eye on their serving sizes.
A little added to the food is often more suitable than being the actual portion of the food.
Yes, Carrots and Green Beans Are Safe for Dogs
Cooked plain carrots and green beans will be part of a doggy-friendly Thanksgiving feast.
Make vegetables bite-sized so that they are easier to eat.
Avoid canned vegetables that contain a lot of added salt.
Fresh or frozen vegetables (without added sauces or seasoning) are preferred.
Dogs Should Not Eat Foods That Are Harmful to Them
Some of the classic Thanksgiving dinner items should be left off your dog’s menu.
Avoid giving dogs:
- Turkey bones
The skin of turkey and very fatty parts. - Gravy
- Stuffing
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chocolate
- Raisins
- Grapes
- Macadamia nuts
- Alcohol
- Xylitol
- Very salty foods
- Sugary desserts
- Raw yeast dough
Onion, garlic or strong seasonings often are used in stuffing, making it dangerous.
Gravy can also be very high in fat, salt, onion or garlic.
Avoid feeding your dog the following foods.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Thanksgiving Turkey?
Absolutely, fully cooked turkey meat is OK for many dogs.
The turkey should be:
- Fully cooked
- Boneless
- Plain
- Cut into small pieces
Bypass any onion and garlic flavours.
This is a free from the heavy seasoning product.
Remove fat and excess skin.
Avoid feeding your dog turkey bones, particularly cooked bones.
How Much Thanksgiving Food Can a Dog Eat?
How much Thanksgiving food can a dog eat?
Portion sizes are dependent on the size, age, activity level, health and normal diet of your dog.
Don’t feed your dog a large Thanksgiving dinner because it’s the holiday season.
Use a small amount of this if it’s a new recipe.
Unless your veterinarian has developed a plan for your dog’s homemade Thanksgiving menu, treat homemade Thanksgiving food as an occasional meal or topper.
Even a homemade recipe of this kind is not always nutritionally complete for feeding over a long period of time.
Dogs require a proper nutritional balance between protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and more.
Will Pup Fish Thanksgiving?
Puppies require special nutrition due to their growth.
Some puppies may be able to tolerate small amounts of plain cooked food, but home-prepared food should not be fed as a substitute for a complete and balanced puppy food without veterinary advice to the owner.
When serving your puppy a Thanksgiving treat, serve a small amount.
Supervise your puppy while eating.
How to Store Leftovers
NEVER let turkey or homemade dog food cool for extended periods.
Refrigerate promptly left-over food in a clean and covered container.
You can also freeze the small portions for future use.
Before serving leftovers, check their smell and appearance.
Throw away food that has been left out too long or looks spoiled.
What If Your Dog Eats Unsafe Thanksgiving Food?
Call your veterinarian or animal poison service immediately if your dog consumes chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins or if your dog eats a large quantity of fatty foods or another potentially harmful ingredient.
If the food package or the ingredients for the recipe can be kept, do so.
Share the details with the veterinarian: what your dog ate, how much and when.
Never induce vomiting in a dog unless recommended by a veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
The festive season is right around the corner and there’s no better way to get your dog in on the action than with this Thanksgiving dog food recipe. For many healthy dogs, plain (cooked) turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots and green beans can provide a tasty occasional meal.
Maintain simplicity of ingredients. Don’t add gravy, stuffing, onion, garlic, butter, heavy seasoning, sugar or salt.
Defat, debone and remove skin from turkey before serving.
Most importantly, keep in mind that a home-made concoction will not be a well-rounded, complete and balanced meal. Unless your veterinarian specifically prescribes a well-balanced homemade dog food to your dog, it is best to stick with their regular diet.
Before introducing new foods, consult your veterinarian if your dog has any medical issues, allergies or digestive issues.
There’s no need to deny your dog the small part of Thanksgiving he or she deserves, thanks to these safe ingredients and smart portions.
