Thanksgiving will always be a favorite holiday tradition. Family, friends, food, fall weather, and maybe football means lots of FUN! As pet parents, we are so grateful for our dogs and the impact they have on our lives. Because of that appreciation, you may want to share your delicious Thanksgiving feast with your beloved dog. After all, they are just as deserving as we are. Before you succumb to those adorable puppy dog eyes begging for some goodies, be sure to read this to find out what’s safe for your fur-baby so they can have the perfect pet Thanksgiving feast!
Most of our favorite Thanksgiving foods are high in fat and sugar content. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise when they fall on the do-not-eat list for our pets. It’s likely too rich and fatty for your dog, which can lead to an upset stomach and unexpected purging later. To prevent your dog from getting an upset stomach, here’s what you CAN give them!
What Thanksgiving Foods CAN I give my dog?
Thanksgiving Turkey
As long as it is well cooked, breast or white meat turkey is better. But not too much, because Thanksgiving turkey is prepared with oil and butter that can cause your fur-baby to have an upset tummy. Be sure to remove the skin and do not give your dog any kind of bones, but especially turkey bones. The bones can break and get stuck in their throats which is a sure way to end up in the emergency veterinarian clinic.
Sweet Potatoes, Plain
On their own, these healthy root vegetables are a great treat for your dog. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamins and are considered a very healthy food for adults, children and pets. The best way to serve it to your pet is peeled, cooked and chopped to mix it into your dog’s food.
However, sweet potato casserole with marshmallows and brown sugar is on the DO NOT give your dog list. There are too many sweet ingredients in this dish that will upset your dog’s stomach. Canned yams, another name for it, are also on the prohibited list.
Pumpkin, Canned
Dogs can enjoy canned pumpkin and some people provide them for additional vitamins and fiber in their dog’s diets. However, you can’t give your dog pumpkin in delicious and tasty pie form. Canned pumpkin is not sweet and spicy but what we add to it is what is not good for our fur-babies: pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg and sweetened or condensed milk. Canned pumpkin straight from the can is full of fiber and lots of vitamins. Veterinarians often recommend helping loose stools in sick pets.
Remember, pumpkin spice will not make your pet feel. Just one teaspoon of plain pumpkin is enough to make them say thank you!
Raw Vegetables
They are wonderful treats for pets. Fresh vegetables are a great addition to any pet’s diet. Most vegetables are a good snack for dogs, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery, green beans and sweet potatoes. My dog is particularly fond of carrots. And just as sweet potato casserole is off the menu for your pets, neither is green bean casserole because of the other added ingredients. Vegetables provide a low-calorie, high-fiber snacks for dogs and make them feel fuller.
What Thanksgiving Foods Shouldn’t I Give My Dog?
Filling
The variety of spices in this delicious dish make it a forbidden food from your dog’s plate.
Mashed potatoes
There are so many good things in mashed potatoes with all the additions of butter and milk. This will hurt your dog’s stomach.
Cranberries
The plain kind will be too sour for your dog or cat. They will not eat them in this form. When you add sugar, wine and raisins to your cranberry dish it becomes toxic for your dog. Always avoid anything with raisins, including fruit cake.
chocolate
Depending on the type of chocolate and the amount, there are different concerns. This deserves an article in itself. See what we discussed in our recent article here.
Festive decorations
The decorations come off and aren’t food, but your dog (or cat) might think they are. Adding decorations to the home is part of the season. This can take the form of a centerpiece of flowers, plants, poinsettias, lilies and a Christmas tree – all inedible, and even toxic, for your dog or cat.
What’s the best way to show your fur-baby you appreciate them? As always, showing them lots of love is the best way!
Also read our blog: Top Foods Poisoning Dogs
If you want to cook something special for your fur-baby, check out some great pet-specific recipes here!
