With Thanksgiving coming up tomorrow, dog owners and their pups alike are looking forward to turkey, pies, and mashed potatoes, but as a pet owner, making sure that the leftover treats your dog gets are safe for them is extremely important. While many Thanksgiving treats are safe, and even healthy for your pup, there are plenty of hidden dangers for dogs lurking in your delightful dinner. Carefully choosing the treats you give your pets can help make sure that both you and your dogs have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
The 5 Thanksgiving Foods You Can Feed To Your Dogs (And 5 You Absolutely Can’t Feed Them)
Turkey – Turkey is a great treat for pups, and when served in moderation it can be an amazing source of protein. Both white meat and dark meat are safe for dogs to eat, but both skin and bones can cause digestive issues, so be careful to make sure that you are only offering meat to your pups. Additionally, many types of dogs may be sensitive to seasoning, so if you want to create a fun and festive treat for your dogs, set some meat aside before you season your turkey to make sure that it is safe for doggy consumption.
Pumpkin – The traditional fall gourd is great for more than just making pies, pumpkin is an excellent addition to doggy diets. Pumpkin is excellent for digestive health, and can help a dog’s coat stay healthy and sleek. Before you start sliding your slice down to your pup though, you should be aware that sweetened pumpkin can be problematic for dogs, as can the spices traditionally used in Pumpkin Pie. If you are looking to give your pup some pumpkin, find canned puree that contains only pumpkin and mix it with a little of their normal food.
Apples – From one perennial pie to another, apples are another great Thanksgiving treat that are perfect for pets. Dogs love the taste of apples, and apples contain a wide array of vitamins that are great for your pup’s health. Like the other items on this list, apples should be given to your dog unseasoned. They can be cooked to caramelize the natural sugars in the apples, making them sweeter, but sugars, spices, and butter may all trigger a variety of reactions in dogs, and as such they should be avoided.
Sweet Potatoes – These tasty tubers aren’t just a treat for dogs, they are loaded with dietary fibers and vitamins that dogs often struggle to get elsewhere in their diet, making sweet potatoes an excellent treat in just about any form. Dried chews, purees, or even roasted (as long as they have time to cool) are all excellent options when it comes to delicious Thanksgiving treats for dogs, but leave the marshmallow topping and brown sugar for the humans enjoying your holiday meal.
Breads – From freshly browned rolls to slices of homemade bread topped with pads of butter, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without the presence of bread. Most dogs love the taste of bread, and while bread doesn’t necessarily provide any vitamins or minerals that your pup’s diet is lacking, most breads don’t contain anything dangerous for your pup. Do double check the ingredients for your bread before placing it in your dog’s bowl, and remember that like any treat, moderation is important.
While the above foods might make for delicious treats for your dog this Thanksgiving, there are a number of foods that you should absolutely avoid giving your pup this holiday:
Stuffing – Not only are many of the ingredients harmful to your dog, the fats in stuffing can cause all manner of health problems.
Alcohol – Alcohol is never safe for your dog to consume, so make sure to double check that any food you feed your pup is completely free from alcohol.
Uncooked Dough – Raw foods of any type should not be considered safe for dog consumption, but doughs in particular have the capacity to do serious health damage.
Deep Fried Foods – The extra fats in deep fried foods can cause a wide array of health issues for dogs, including pancreatitis.
Sugar-Free Goods – Many sugar substitutes contain xylitol, which can be deadly to dogs.
