Summary: Thanksgiving can be a fun time for dogs, but many traditional foods are unsafe. Stick to dog-friendly options and keep hazardous foods out of reach to ensure your pup enjoys the holiday safely.
Bark Busters Key Points:
- Never give dogs turkey bones – cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, gum injury, or intestinal issues.
- Safe turkey options – small portions of white meat, skin and fat removed; small amounts of giblets (liver, heart, gizzard).
- Dog-friendly Thanksgiving foods – plain green beans, turkey broth instead of gravy.
- Dangerous foods to avoid – stuffing, gravy, bread dough, garlic, onions, leeks, chives, nuts, sage, butter, sour cream, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol, caffeine.
- Inform guests – remind visitors not to feed your dog unsafe table scraps.
Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy this Thanksgiving
Ah, Thanksgiving dinner: the once-a-year feast full of mouthwatering turkey, cranberry sauce, rolls, stuffing, and other goodies. Our four-legged family members are just as enticed by the smells of a holiday meal as we are, drawn to the table by their foraging instinct in hopes of scoring some delicious scraps.
A PetMD poll indicates we are more than happy to oblige them, with 56 percent of their readers admitting to sharing bits of the big meal with their pup. But be careful, the wrong Thanksgiving treat can mean a trip to the emergency room for your beloved pooch.
Here are some tips to ensure you are giving thanks for the good things in life – and not your talented vet– on Thanksgiving Day.
Why You Should Never Give Your Dogs Turkey Bones
The turkey carcass may seem like the perfect treat for your well-behaved pooch, but beware: cooked bones can splinter, causing choking, gum damage, or intestinal issues.
Bag the carcass and drop it in your sealed garbage can outside to prevent unwanted kitchen explorations.
Safe Ways to Share Turkey with Your Dog
If your dog is lucky enough to enjoy his own serving of this excellent lean protein, use a moderate portion of the white meat. White meat is easier for dogs to digest than dark meat.
Cut it into small pieces, being sure to remove the fat, skin, and bones. You can also prepare a small helping of the giblets, including the gizzard, liver, and heart.
Healthy Thanksgiving Foods Your Dog Can Enjoy
Your dog can safely enjoy some of the same foods on your Thanksgiving table. Serve plain green beans as a healthy, tasty snack, but keep casseroles and heavily seasoned dishes for humans. Turkey broth is a safe, flavorful alternative to fatty gravy, helping your dog enjoy the holiday without an upset stomach.
Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs
Humans and dogs share certain symptoms of overindulgence, including an upset stomach. But even small amounts of many holiday foods have dangerous consequences for our canine companions, from vomiting and diarrhea to worse. The following foods are best for human-only consumption:
- Stuffing
- Gravy
- Bread dough
- Garlics, onions, leeks, chives
- Nuts
- Sage
- Sour cream, butter
- Grapes and raisins
- Cranberry sauce
- Chocolate
- Artificial sweeteners like Xylitol
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
Remind Guests What Foods Are Unsafe for Dogs
It may be hard for guests to resist your dog’s cute face when the holiday spirit is flowing. So be sure to inform them in advance which foods are off-limits, so no one accidentally slips your canine companion some harmful table scraps.
Train Your Dog for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a holiday that everyone in the family can enjoy – including your dog. Follow these tips to make sure everyone can indulge safely. If your dog tends to be a counter surfer or can’t resist the dining table, contact a Bark Busters trainer to help teach your dog to stay off the table and enjoy the holiday safely.
