In this season of being thankful, we’re continually reminded what a gift our pets are! And, for many of us, the ultimate way to show our friends, family members and pets that we love them is to feed them well–especially during Thanksgiving. So, if you’re planning to share your table with Fido this Thanksgiving, there are some foods that are totally safe to let him partake in…and some that aren’t safe at all!
Don’t Be a Turkey––Keep These Foods Away from Fido:
Turkey skin, drippings and gravy
The skin, drippings, and gravy that go along with the Thanksgiving feast are super fatty and can cause gastrointestinal upset in your dog.
Turkey twine
Aside from the obvious danger of the twine causing a blockage in your dog’s intestines, the twine can also harbor bacteria that can make your dog sick.
Turkey bones
Poultry bones are notorious for splintering, which might require surgery for removal from your dog’s esophagus or stomach.
Onion
Onion can damage red blood cells in dogs, which leads to anemia over time.
Raisins or grapes
Ingesting grapes and raisins can lead to renal failure in dogs. If your dog eats grapes, contact your vet immediately to avoid kidney damage.
Bread dough
Yeast in raw bread dough contains ethanol, which can cause alcohol poisoning in pets.
Chocolate
Chocolate can cause seizures and increased heart rate in dogs.
Alcohol
Don’t try to share your festive glass of wine or cocktail with Fido. Alcohol is extremely dangerous to pets and should be avoided.
Foods That Fido CAN Gobble Right Up (in Moderation)
- sweet potatoes (but NOT candied yams)
- apples (but NOT apple pie)
- green beans (but NOT green bean casserole)
- pumpkin (but NOT pumpkin pie)
- yogurt (but NOT ice cream)
Even when sharing safe foods with your dog, do so in moderation–especially at Thanksgiving. The added stress of having extra people in the home, or traveling to another house for the holiday, might be enough to upset Fido’s tummy. Adding insult to injury with foods that aren’t a normal part of his diet is a recipe for Thanksgiving disaster!
Looking for more dog-friendly food tips? Check out these posts:
3 Homemade Dog Treats for Fall
How To Cook a Steak Dinner For Your Dog
Fruit and Vegetables That Your Dog Will Love (and a Few to Avoid)
Author: Jenny Jurica
Jenny is a married mother of two humans, one rescued Weimaraner, and four (yes, four) rescued cats. She is a native Texan who is a columnist/contributor for several publications and enjoys spending her free time curled up on the couch with a dog and a couple of cats. Much like the poet Sylvia Plath, Jenny often finds that she, “likes people too much or not at all,” but has never met an animal that she didn’t instantly adore (except for maybe the Komodo dragon at the zoo).
