This Thanksgiving, with a cornucopia of guests — including little kids — descending on your house, there could be lots of extra people trying to pass a taste of stuffing or pumpkin pie to your dog. They may have the best of intentions, but “people food” isn’t always the best for your four-legged friend.
Going to someone’s house? Well, even if your pet is great with table scraps, it doesn’t mean that your relative’s puppy can tolerate the same amount. Always check with the owner before you offer a pet any kind of additional food. In general, any newly introduced food can induce vomiting and even diarrhea in dogs. When you switch an animal from one diet to another, experts generally recommend that you do it gradually over one to two weeks, so it’s important to keep new foods minimal — even on the holidays.
That said, there are occasional holiday treats pets can enjoy. So, what can dogs eat on Thanksgiving? To keep things safe, we asked veterinarians to share their best advice about which Thanksgiving food favorites may be safe for dogs to eat, and which ones may leave you cleaning up a mess. For pets with health problems, owners should always check with their veterinarians prior to changing their diets.
Can dogs eat turkey?
Most pets can gobble up small amounts of lean, light meat without a problem. Turkey skin and dark meat have more fat and may be too greasy for dogs. A small amount of dark meat and skin is OK, but light meat is the preferred snack.
“I think most animals enjoy the ritual of receiving food, so small pieces given as treats is sufficient or small amounts mixed into their regular kibble or canned food is fine as well,” says Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian and senior lecturer at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
To keep things safe, carefully remove the meat from the bones, and make sure anything a dog eats is bone-free. “Avoid giving your dog wings or drumsticks. The bones can get stuck between teeth, in the esophagus, and cause vomiting or get lodged in any part of the GI tract,” warns Collins.
“Fatty foods can cause GI upset and pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening.”
—Dr. Brian Collins, veterinarian
Can dogs eat turkey gravy?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat turkey gravy. Recipes for turkey gravy often include turkey stock, pepper and seasonings; yummy for you, but too fatty for dogs to eat safely. “Fatty foods can cause GI upset and pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening,” warns Collins.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
If the potatoes are plain and bland, with minimal fat and salt, mashed potatoes can be safe for dogs. But if you go all out, adding butter and heavy cream or cheese, it makes the potatoes less ideal for your pet. And if you added onions, garlic, scallions, chives or leeks to the dish, you definitely can’t share them. All of these are toxic — maybe even fatal — to cats and dogs.
Can dogs eat stuffing?
Like mashed potatoes, if stuffing is bland and has very little fat or seasonings, it could get a paw print stamp of approval. But who wants bland stuffing?
The more fat and other ingredients stuffing has, the less ideal it becomes for your dog. And don’t forget about those add-ins! Many stuffing recipes call for onions, garlic, scallions, chives and leeks, too. Even the basic, out-of-the-box Stove Top Stuffing has onions in it. The best bet is to make a rule: No stuffing for pets.
“Sugar isn’t good for pets, and most cranberry sauces have sugar.”
—Dr. Brian Collins
Can pets eat cranberry sauce?
Unfortunately, most cranberry sauces are not safe for dogs. “Sugar isn’t good for pets, and most cranberry sauces have sugar,” says Collins. “It’s best to avoid giving this treat.”
In addition to all the sugar, these days a lot of cranberry sauces also contain nuts, raisins and even pineapple. “Macadamia nuts are the only nuts that are toxic to dogs,” warns Collins, but nuts add fat to the meal. Additionally, he says, grapes and raisins should be avoided because they can cause kidney failure in dogs.
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Can dogs eat green bean casserole?
Green beans are excellent snacks for dogs, but if you add mushroom soup and the crunchy onions on top, you are asking for trouble. If you want to give your dog a treat, make sure the bad-for-pets fried onions have been removed from the top layer. Better yet, rinse off the beans or set some plain green beans aside before you add other ingredients, so your pets can safely enjoy.
Candied sweet potatoes or yams?
Candied? Buttery? With brown sugar and marshmallows? Again, it’s best if your pet doesn’t indulge their sweet tooth.
Can dogs eat corn?
Has your 5-year-old been slipping their veggies to the dog? Don’t worry. As long as the corn is removed from the cob, that pile of veggies can quickly disappear under the table.
If it’s still on the cob though, let your little one (and any guests) know it’s not OK to share. “Dogs especially should not be given corn cobs because if swallowed, pieces can cause an obstruction,” says Collins. So, rather than play fetch with the corn cob during dinner, wait until after the meal’s over and find their favorite toy.
Can dogs eat homemade rolls?
Rolls fall to the ground during the annual food fight and are nibbled up by your pup? Never fear. As long as they don’t have a lot of butter on them, they are safe for your dog to enjoy.
The rule to follow: Humans get human desserts, and pets get pet dessert.
Can dogs eat pecan pie?
It’s not the end of the world if your little niece happens to “drop” her pecan pie under the table and the dogs inhale it. But, it still has lots of sugar in it — which isn’t great for animals.
Can dogs eat apple pie?
The favorite American dessert can be prepared a variety of different ways, but almost all of them include lots of sugar. It’s better for your dog if they don’t sample any apple pie.
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Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?
Like pecan and apple pie, a very small piece won’t hurt your pet, but it’s not a good idea to offer pets anything with sugar.
The rule to follow: Humans get human desserts, and pets get pet dessert. (Have the kids at your table repeat this.) A nice dog treat can be dessert for your pets. And if you really want Fido to be included in the holiday eats, make some special homemade dog treats.
The bottom line
If you are still afraid you won’t be able to resist your pet giving you “that look” (puppy eyes and all) on Thanksgiving, consider hiring a pet sitter for the day, or ask an animal-loving tween or teen in the family to be on pet duty. They can play with the dog or cat after the meal. It keeps your pet safe and entertained.
And remember, just because the Thanksgiving meal is over, it doesn’t mean your pet is safe from dangerous foods. Pets will take food off the counter, out of the trash and even grab food that’s been set outside for later cleanup. “I have heard countless stories of the turkey carcass being taken out of the trash or the turkey being taken off the counter,” says Collins.
Make sure any oh-so-tempting leftovers are out of reach. This holiday, remember to be thankful for not only your family, but also the pets in your life. And of course, for avoiding a trip to the veterinarian!
Original article written by Stephanie St. Martin.
