Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can and Cannot Eat

Plain, unseasoned, cooked food in a small amount is the lowest risk. The trouble comes from seasoning, fat, sugar, bones, and certain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. A dog who is used to a normal diet can have a bad reaction to a sudden rich meal, even if each food is not toxic.

Always check with your veterinarian if your dog has a health condition, such as pancreatitis, diabetes, or food allergies. Treats from the table are never necessary, and a normal meal plus a special chew can be a better way to include your dog.

Plain cooked turkey meat, without skin, seasoning, or gravy, is generally acceptable in small amounts. Plain cooked green beans, plain cooked carrots, and plain mashed or boiled sweet potato (without butter, sugar, or marshmallows) can be fine as occasional treats. Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is often used in small amounts for digestion, but ask your vet about quantities.

Introduce anything new in a very small amount, and watch for signs of an upset stomach. Fatty or rich foods can bring on vomiting or diarrhea even in healthy dogs.

Turkey skin and fat can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and serious condition. Gravy, butter, and fatty drippings carry the same risk. Cooked bones, including turkey and chicken bones, can splinter and cause damage to the mouth, throat, or gut.

Stuffing often contains onions, garlic, and herbs, which can harm dogs' red blood cells. Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives, in any form, are best avoided. Raisins and grapes, which appear in some stuffing and desserts, can cause kidney problems in some dogs.

Desserts are another problem. Chocolate is toxic, and anything sweetened with xylitol is dangerous. Pies, cakes, and cookies may include nutmeg, chocolate, raisins, or high levels of sugar and fat. Alcohol, including unbaked yeast dough, is dangerous too, because the dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol as it ferments.

The string or netting used to truss a turkey, the foil, and the packaging can cause an obstruction if swallowed. Corn cobs are a common cause of intestinal blockages. Bin bags full of scraps, carcass, and bones are an easy target for a determined dog.

Keep the bin secure, with a lid or behind a closed door, and take the rubbish out promptly. Do not leave plates or cooking trays within reach, and watch counters and low tables.

Exercise your dog before guests arrive, and feed their regular meal. A dog who has had a walk and a meal is less likely to beg or scavenge.

Give your dog a place to be during the meal, such as a bed in another room, or a mat with a chew or a stuffed toy, away from the table. Ask guests not to feed the dog, and not to slip scraps. Explain the rules in advance, especially to children.

If you want to include the dog, prepare a small, safe plate of plain turkey and a few vegetables, and serve it in their bowl at a time that suits you.

Note what was eaten, how much, and when, and call your veterinarian or an animal poison helpline. In the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) answer around the clock, and may charge a fee. Do not make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.

Call urgently for signs such as repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful belly, lethargy, tremors, or collapse. Holiday weekends can make vets harder to reach, so know where your nearest emergency clinic is.

If you want to give your dog a Thanksgiving treat, a small plate can include a few pieces of plain cooked turkey breast, a spoon of plain cooked green beans or carrots, and a little plain canned pumpkin. Keep it small, about the size of a normal treat portion, and serve it with their usual dinner rather than in addition to it.

Choose a chew or a stuffed toy as the main event, so the dog has something to do while you eat. A frozen stuffed toy can keep a dog busy for a long time and keeps them away from the table.