Thanksgiving is the time of year in which families come together to be thankful for their blessings and “gobble” down a nearly endless amount of food. What’s not to love?
Dogs are a part of the family too, so it’s only natural to give them a special treat during your Thanksgiving meal. Luckily, you don’t even have to feel guilty about indulging your pets in some delicious Thanksgiving fare…considering you know which foods are safe and which ones aren’t. Here are some suggestions for shareable and safe Thanksgiving food for dogs, and some that should be avoided entirely!
5 Safe Thanksgiving Food For Dogs That You Can Share
1. Turkey
The main course of Thanksgiving, the exalted turkey, is completely safe to share with your pets. However, if you’re going to treat them to a slice or two, make sure the meat is unseasoned and fully cooked. Also, the turkey bones and skin are off limits! Just like chicken bones, turkey bones can splinter and break within an animal’s digestive system, which can cause internal bleeding. The skin of the meat can upset your pet’s stomach, so you’ll be in the clear if you share pure and delicious white meat turkey.
2. Pumpkin
Did you know that pumpkin is considered to be a superfood for dogs? There are several awesome ways you can prepare pumpkin for dogs, and it works wonders on their digestive health. Just make sure your pumpkins are free of sugar and spices, and if you’re using canned pumpkin, avoid feeding your dog pumpkin pie filling instead of puree. Pumpkin is also a great ingredient to use for homemade dog treats that your pet will love to snack on during Thanksgiving!
3. Green Beans
Before preparing your green bean casserole, treat your four-legged friends to a few bites of the raw and uncooked vegetable. Green beans are high in fiber and Vitamins C and K, making them a delicious and healthy human food for dogs.
4. Sweet Potatoes
Lady LOVES sweet potatoes, and I’m always happy to share a couple bites with her since they’re packed with fiber, vitamins, and other important nutrients. Sweet potatoes can be served to dogs raw, dried, or slightly cooked (without seasoning). Just be sure not to feed your pups sweet potato pie, a common Thanksgiving treat. The marshmallows used in sweet potato pie contain xylitol, a deadly artificial sweetener that can lead to canine liver failure.
5. Carrots
Carrots are filled with beta-carotene, vitamins, and fiber. If you’re including carrots on your Thanksgiving table, I’m sure your dogs will appreciate a bite or two. Carrots can be served to pets raw or cooked as long as they are not seasoned.
3 Foods Your Dog Shouldn’t Eat on Thanksgiving
1. Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are a safe food for dogs, but mashed potatoes are a huge no-no. This is because most mashed potato recipes call for butter and milk, which can cause stomach troubles in dogs. Garlic powder or onions are also common mashed potatoes ingredients, which are extremely toxic to your pups.
2. Ham
This one actually surprised me! Ham and other pork products can cause pancreatitis and upset stomach in dogs. It also tends to be high in fat, which can lead to dog obesity, which in turn could lead to a variety of other health issues.
3. Stuffing
Stuffing is one of my favorite Thanksgiving staples, so I’m a little sad that I won’t be able to introduce Lady to this delicious gift from the gods. However, I’m not willing to risk her health over it. Stuffing usually includes onions, scallions, and garlic, all of which are considered toxic foods for pets.
Treat Your Dog to Their Own Thanksgiving Feast!
Whether or not you decide to share some of your Thanksgiving dinner with your pet, providing him/her with their own feast is a must!
Last year, I gave Lady one of Merrick’s Lil’ Plates of Grain-Free Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner. She chowed down on every single bite! Merrick is a trusted and wholesome pet food brand, and this particular canned food is grain-free, contains de-boned turkey, and a perfect balance of hearty vegetables and fruit. I very highly recommend it for your pet’s Thanksgiving dinner! There are also 12.7 ounce cans of Thanksgiving Day Turkey Dinner for larger dogs with a heartier appetite!
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We wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving with your pets! How do you plan on spending the holiday this year? Be sure to share your pictures on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using #DoggoneDestinations!
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