These are some Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs.
Thanksgiving is about family, food and fun! If you have a dog, you might think you’re all in it together and want to share a bit of the holiday feast with your pooch.
Fortunately, there are some Thanksgiving foods that can be healthy for dogs if cooked properly. Plain cooked turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots and green beans are dog friendly Thanksgiving dinner options.
It’s important to how these foods are cooked. Ingredients of dog friendly Thanksgiving meals, such as butter, salt, gravy, onion, garlic, sugar, etc., can be harmful to dogs.
Here are some of the foods dogs can eat at Thanksgiving, how to prepare them for your pet, and which popular Turkey Day foods to avoid feeding your dog.
1. Plain Cooked Turkey
One of the simplest Thanksgiving dishes to give to your dog is Turkey.
Fully cooked turkey meat can be used for many healthy dogs in small amounts, as plain meat.
Before serving turkey:
- Remove the skin.
- Remove all bones.
- Remove visible fat.
- Do not add gravy.
- Don’t eat onions or garlic.
- Avoid heavy seasoning.
- Chop meat into small pieces.
Turkey skin typically contains high fat, and seasoned turkey may have ingredients that dogs shouldn’t eat.
Never give your dog cooked turkey bones. May break into sharp fragments and cause choking or internal injury.
2. Plain Pumpkin
Another dog-friendly Thanksgiving pumpkin recipe is plain pumpkin.
Pumpkin is rich in water and dietary fiber, and is used in some dog foods and treats.
Small amounts of plain cooked pumpkin or plain canned pumpkin puree can be given to your dog.
Check the label of the canned pumpkin before purchasing.
Select 100% pumpkin (no sugar or spices added).
Pumpkin pie filling should not be given to your dog as it may contain other ingredients which are not dog friendly.
3. Cooked Sweet Potato
Cooked sweet potato can be a delicious addition to a Thanksgiving dinner that’s suitable for your dog.
Cook the sweet potatoes until soft and peel them.
Break down the inside and offer a little.
Do not add:
- Butter
- Sugar
- Salt
- Marshmallows
- Syrup
- Spices
- Other sweet toppings
Traditional sweet potato casserole is typically very dense and rich whereas plain sweet potato is a bit healthier so it’s advisable to reserve the plain potato for your dog.
4. Plain Carrots
Carrots can be eaten as a plain, healthy snack.
Rinse carrots and boil if necessary.
Leave them in bite size chunks for your dog to consume.
No butter, salt, garlic, onion or sauces added.
Some of the plain carrots can be made in advance before seasoning the vegetables for the human meal.
5. Plain Green Beans
Green beans can serve as an addition to a dog-friendly Thanksgiving holiday, too.
Serve fresh or frozen green beans, plain, or without added sauces or seasoning.
Cook them to softness, but not so soft that they are difficult to eat.
Stay away from green bean casserole as it can include ingredients like onion, garlic, cream sauces and too much salt.
Plain green beans are a much simpler option, as there is a small portion that can be consumed.
6. Plain Cooked Chicken
For those not serving turkey, plain cooked chicken can be another protein option.
Cook chicken until it is well done.
De-bone and trim off the fat.
Divide meat into bite-size pieces.
Add no gravy, onion, garlic, butter, salt or spicy seasoning.
Chicken should be fed as an occasional treat, not as a meal in place of a healthy, well-balanced dog food.
7. Plain Apple Pieces
Small amounts of plain apple may be fed to some dogs.
Rinse the apple.
Remove stem, core and all seeds.
Cut the apple into small pieces.
Avoid adding more sugar, syrup, caramel, chocolate or whipped cream to apples.
Apple pies are not recommended for dogs as they are often high in sugar, butter and other fillings.
8. Plain Oatmeal
For many dogs cooked oatmeal can be given plain in small quantities.
Cooked plain oats with water.
Avoid adding sugar, raisins, chocolate, artificial sweeteners or flavored toppings.
Not all dogs need oatmeal; if so, serve a small amount.
Don’t give oats if your dog is allergic to the food or is on a special diet, consult your veterinarian first.
9. Dog-Friendly Homemade Treats
Another easy Thanksgiving goodie to make at home!
Use a simple recipe for a time.
- Plain pumpkin
- Oat flour
- Egg
Combine ingredients to form a dough, shape into small pieces and cook.
Pumpkin or leaf shapes can be made with Thanksgiving theme cookie cutters.
Wait for the treats to fully cool before offering to your dog.
Do not add sugar, chocolate, frosting or artificial sweeteners.
How to Assemble a Dog-Friendly Thanksgiving Plate
Dogs don’t have to be fed at a feast.
A small plate might be filled with a small portion of turkey, a small amount of pumpkin, and a small amount of cooked carrots or green beans.
Keep everything plain.
Avoid eating from the family dinner plate that contains gravy, seasoning, butter, or other food.
It is better to prepare your dog’s portion separately.
Thanksgiving Foods Your Dog Should Avoid
Thanksgiving is a big meal, and these are some of the foods that your dog should avoid.
Some traditional Thanksgiving foods can be dangerous for dogs.
Avoid giving the following foods to your pet:
- Turkey bones
- Turkey skin
- Gravy
Onion/garlic stuffing - Chocolate
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Macadamia nuts
- Xylitol
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Very salty foods
- Sugary desserts
- Raw yeast dough
Xylitol is particularly significant to stay away from. One of the artificial sweeteners present in some sugar-free foods.
Before feeding packaged food to your dog, always read the food labels.
What About Thanksgiving Stuffing?
Traditional stuffings are better to be shared with others, not your dog.
Onion, garlic, butter, salt, herbs, and seasonings are some of the ingredients often included in stuffing recipes.
Even if a stuffing recipe seems straightforward, review all ingredients before using for your pet.
Cooked, plain vegetables, or turkey is a safer option.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Have Thanksgiving Gravy?
Most dogs really don’t need to have regular Thanksgiving gravy.
Gravy may be very high in fat and salt. May also include onion or garlic.
Don’t mix gravy into your dog’s food, instead feed plain turkey food along with a small amount of plain pumpkin or other appropriate ration.
How Much Thanksgiving Food Can Dogs Eat?
Dogs can eat certain food products but these can be given in limited quantity.
The portion on the right will vary based on the dog’s size, age, activity level, health and usual diet.
Feed in small amounts, particularly if your dog isn’t used to eating the food.
Excessive number of “treats” or “table scraps” can lead to tummy upsets and extra weight gain.
Dogs’ daily diet should consist of mainly their normal rations, with treats and additional food only a small portion of the total.
Your dog’s regular complete and balanced diet should be the primary source of nutrition.
What About Puppies?
Pup’s food should be good for growth and development.
Some puppies might be able to eat a little of these Thanksgiving foods as long as they are plain and safe for dogs, but not as a substitute for complete and balanced puppy food.
Use very small servings of food as portions.
Don’t feed bones or hard bits of food.
Do not feed new foods to puppies with allergies, digestive issues or medical conditions without consulting their vet first.
How to Keep Your Dog Safe During Thanksgiving
There are other risks that come with the holidays.
Avoid feeding your dog foods that include:
- Hot cooking surfaces
- Trash containing bones
- Chocolate and candy
- Alcohol
- Small decorations
- Food wrappers
- Candles
Please do not allow family members to feed your dog out of the family plate.
If your dog becomes anxious when visitors, loud noises or other dogs are around them provide a restful quiet area for them.
What Do You Do If Your Dog Eats Something That Can Be Harmful?
Dogs who consume foods like chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, cooked bones, or any other food that may be harmful should be seen by their veterinarians or animal poison center immediately.
If you know your dog ate a potentially toxic one, don’t wait for symptoms to appear.
Do not forget to have the food package or recipe handy. This will help the veterinarian know what your dog ate.
Never induce vomiting without the advice of a veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Here are a number of dog friendly Thanksgiving dinner items which can be safely served when prepared properly. For many healthy dogs, plain cooked turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, green beans and a little plain apple can be good choices.
The key is to keep these foods simple. Do not eat gravy, stuffing, turkey skin, cooked bones, chocolate, grapes, raisins, onion, garlic, xylitol, alcohol or heavily flavored foods.
Make a small amount of dog’s dinner and give it to your dog separate from the family meal.
Keep in mind that there is no need to add on to the feast on Thanksgiving. The normal complete and balanced food should be the bulk of your dog’s diet.
Consult your veterinarian before introducing new foods if your dog suffers with allergies, sensitive stomach, or medical issues.
If you plan for your dog, he or she can enjoy a small bit of Thanksgiving without being in any danger.
