Thanksgiving is the one day a year the whole house smells like turkey, and every dog in it knows. If you’ve caught those eyes under the table and asked yourself, what Thanksgiving foods can dogs eat, you’re asking at exactly the right time.
We care for dogs whose bodies have already been through too much, so we think hard about what goes into a dog’s bowl. We also know the holidays are when even careful owners slip a scrap they’d never hand over on a normal Tuesday. The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that Thanksgiving lines up with an uptick in emergency vet visits across the country. The cause is the extra, often unsafe people food dogs end up eating this time of year.
Here’s the good news. Your dog can share a little of the feast. The plate just has to be built on purpose. Below is our yes list, our no list, the hazards that never reach the table, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Can dogs eat turkey? Yes, with three rules
Turkey is the big one, and the answer is a qualified yes. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says plain, boneless, skinless turkey is generally safe for pets in small portions. Every word in that sentence is doing work.
- No bones, ever. Can dogs eat turkey bones? No. The AVMA warns that poultry bones can cause choking or intestinal blockage. The ASPCA adds that swallowed bones can injure or block the digestive tract, sometimes badly enough to need surgery.
- No skin, no seasoning. The skin is where the butter, oil and rub end up. The AVMA says fatty scraps like skin are hard for pets to digest, and even a small amount can cause pancreatitis. Rubs often carry onion and garlic, which the ASPCA flags as toxic to pets.
- Fully cooked, and only a little. The ASPCA cautions that raw or undercooked turkey may carry salmonella. A few bites of plain meat is a treat. A plateful is a stomachache waiting to happen.
In practice, your perfectly basted holiday bird probably doesn’t qualify. If you want to share, cook a small piece of turkey on the side with no butter, oil or seasoning. It’s a small step that saves a lot of worry.
What Thanksgiving foods can dogs eat? The yes list
Plain is the whole trick. Most Thanksgiving sides start out dog-friendly and stop being safe somewhere between the cutting board and the serving dish. Pull your dog’s portion early, before the butter, sugar, salt and onions go in. Based on guidance from the AKC and the ASPCA, these are good picks in small amounts:
- Plain turkey. Boneless, skinless, unseasoned and fully cooked, as above.
- Sweet potatoes. Plain and cooked. Skip anything topped with brown sugar, marshmallows or maple syrup.
- Potatoes. Boiled or baked, with nothing added. So can dogs eat mashed potatoes? Not the way most of us make them. Butter, cream and sometimes garlic or onion put the family recipe on the no list.
- Green beans. Plain, with no butter or salt. The casserole version doesn’t count.
- Peas. Plain peas in moderation. Creamed peas are a no.
- Pumpkin. Pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling, which comes pre-spiced and sweetened.
- Apples. Fresh slices, cut away from the core. The AKC notes that large amounts of apple seeds can be toxic.
How much? Think garnish, not a second dinner. The ASPCA suggests mixing a few pieces of turkey, sweet potato and green beans into your dog’s regular meal. You can also stuff them into a puzzle toy to keep your dog busy while everyone else eats. If your dog is on a prescription diet or has a sensitive stomach, check with your vet before sharing anything.
Thanksgiving foods dogs can’t eat: the no list
This list is longer, and that’s on purpose. These are the foods that turn a holiday into an emergency visit. Most of them come straight from the ASPCA’s list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets.
- Turkey bones, skin, drippings and gravy. Bones splinter and block. Skin and drippings are where the fat lives. The ASPCA adds that bouillon cubes used in stock and gravy are very high in sodium, which can cause stomach trouble and even seizures.
- Stuffing and dressing. Usually built on onions and garlic. These Allium vegetables can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia.
- Mashed potatoes, casseroles and creamy sides. Pets don’t make much of the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so dairy often means diarrhea. The AKC also warns that any fatty food or casserole risks pancreatitis.
- Grapes and raisins. Watch for raisins hiding in stuffing, rolls and desserts. They can cause kidney damage in dogs.
- Chocolate and most desserts. The darker the chocolate, the bigger the risk, and baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst. The AVMA also says to keep pumpkin pie and other pies off your pet’s plate.
- Anything sugar-free. The AVMA warns that xylitol, a sweetener used in gum and sugar-free baked goods, can be deadly for dogs. It can crash blood sugar and damage the liver.
- Raw yeast dough and batter. Rising dough can expand in the stomach and cause dangerous bloating, and the yeast produces alcohol once it’s swallowed. Raw batter made with eggs can carry salmonella.
- Nuts. Pecans, walnuts and almonds are high in fat and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis. Macadamia nuts can cause weakness and tremors. That puts pecan pie on the list twice.
- Alcohol. Keep an eye on glasses left at dog height. Alcohol can cause vomiting, poor coordination and trouble breathing, and in serious cases, coma or death.
Thanksgiving pet safety beyond the plate
Some of the worst holiday trouble never touches a plate. It’s in the trash, in the centerpiece and in the open front door. Here’s where to look:
- The trash. To a dog, an open trash can on Thanksgiving is the best buffet in the house. The AVMA recommends sealing the turkey carcass, bones and related trash in a tight bag. Then put it in a closed container outdoors or behind a shut door. The ASPCA suggests emptying the kitchen trash throughout the day.
- The centerpiece. Corn cobs, pine cones and gourds can cause choking or intestinal blockage if swallowed, according to the AVMA. Some seasonal flowers are toxic, too, including amaryllis, baby’s breath, sweet William, some ferns and hydrangeas.
- Your guests. More people means more hands slipping scraps. The AKC suggests making sure guests and kids know to ask you before they share. The ASPCA reminds hosts that visitors’ medications should stay up and out of reach. If your dog gets anxious with company, the AVMA suggests a quiet room or a crate with a favorite toy.
- The front door. Between coats and casserole dishes, doors stay open a long time. The AVMA recommends watching the exits closely and making sure your dog’s microchip is registered with your current contact information.
- The drive. Traveling for the holiday? The AVMA recommends a secure, fitted harness or carrier placed clear of airbags. Crossing state lines may also mean your dog needs a health certificate from your vet.
If your dog eats something they shouldn’t
Don’t wait to see what happens. The AVMA’s advice is to call your veterinarian or a local emergency clinic right away if you think your pet has eaten something harmful. You can also call:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
A fee may apply for either line. The ASPCA asks owners to note what their pet ate and roughly how much. Warning signs the AVMA lists include sudden behavior changes, depression, pain or discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea. Our dog poison prevention guide covers more symptoms to watch for.
Save both numbers in your phone this week. You don’t want to be searching for them at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving with a dog who just found the pie.
The dogs without a seat at the table
Most of this guide is about your dog. We’d be leaving something out if we stopped there.
Thanksgiving is a travel holiday. You’ll walk into homes that aren’t yours and drive past yards you don’t usually see. Sometimes that means noticing a dog tied out back all afternoon, with no shelter and a water bowl that’s frozen solid. By late November, that’s not just sad. It can be dangerous, and our guide on how cold is too cold for dogs outside covers what Virginia law requires once temperatures drop.
If you see something that worries you, don’t confront anyone. Write down what you saw, where and when. Then call your local animal control, or call our Animal Abuse Hotline at (844) 728-2729. You can report anonymously. Our guide on how to report animal abuse in Virginia walks through each step.
So set a small, plain plate for your dog this year, and keep the rest of the feast where it belongs. Then save our number, because the dog who needs you most this holiday might not be yours. Be The Voice For The Voiceless®.