Can My Dog Eat Thanksgiving Dinner?
There’s nothing like eating a delicious dinner with the whole family to celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s tempting to give your dog scraps from the Thanksgiving dinner table, but before you do, make sure that it’s food that your dog can safely eat.
Not all foods are good for your dog. Certain foods that are safe for people to eat can be toxic for dogs, like chocolate and garlic. There are other foods that, while not poisonous, can still cause your dog to suffer from an upset stomach. That’s why it’s important as dog owners that you make sure that your canine friend doesn’t consume any food that could be detrimental to their health.
Before Thanksgiving Dinner rolls around this November, make sure you know what foods your dog can and can’t eat.
Foods Your Dog Can’t Eat
The last thing anyone wants to do is to make their dog sick on Thanksgiving Day. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you know what food you can and can’t give your pet this holiday season.
Sugar, dairy, and spices are known to irritate your pets’ stomachs and make them sick. Other foods, like certain vegetables, are toxic to dogs and should not be ingested even in small doses.
Here are some common Thanksgiving food that you need to be on the lookout for in order to not give
- Turkey bones, skin, and gravy
- Casseroles of any kind
- Stuffing
- Creamed peas
- Mashed potatoes
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, cookies, pies, and sweets (especially anything containing xylitol)
- Raisins and grapes
- Alcoholic beverages
- Ham
- Onions, scallions, and garlic
- Fatty foods
- Yeast dough
- Foods containing spices
Make sure that your dog does not eat any of these foods by resisting the urge to give them table scraps during cooking and mealtime. Also make sure that your trashcan is not within reach of your dog, as they can knock it over and eat any food waste unmonitored.
Foods Your Dogs Can Eat
While there are many foods that you should avoid giving your dog to eat this holiday season, there are still a few treats that they can eat without repercussions. These foods can still allow your dog to get in on the holiday festivities without endangering their health.
Here are some foods you can give your dog:
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Potatoes
- Apples (cored and seedless)
- Plain peas
- Turkey meat (bone and skinless)
- Green beans
Make sure that the above food are free of seasoning or any additional foods like cream or sugar. Additionally, make sure there are no hard bits like bone or seeds in the food, as your dog may choke on them. You can combine these foods together to create your own homemade dog food that hits every nutrient your dog will need.
While your dog won’t be able to eat Great Aunt Sue’s infamous casserole, they can still participate in Thanksgiving Dinner this year as long as you keep the above foods in mind. Be sure to check out our full investigation into what kind of dog food is best for your dog as well.
