Thanksgiving is a time for enjoying a special meal with your family, so of course you want to include your furry family members in your celebration. Keep your pets safe and healthy by knowing what Thanksgiving foods you can share with them and which foods can pose problems.
Thanksgiving Foods That You Can Give Your Pets
Consider swapping out a little of your pet’s regular kibble or canned food and mixing in some of these tasty Thanksgiving foods that are safe for pets to enjoy:
Turkey
Most dogs and cats love turkey. Choose plain, unseasoned white meat pieces and make sure all bones are removed before giving a piece to your pets.
Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
Set aside some plain, cooked potatoes or sweet potatoes for your pets before you add the butter and flavorings for your human family.
Pumpkin
Cooked pumpkin is a great food for dogs and cats, but they don’t need any extra sugar, so save them some plain pumpkin before you turn it into a pie.
Vegetables
Most vegetables are fine to give your pets (if they’ll eat them). Carrots, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, corn, and peas are all great choices.
Apples
Pets can have both cooked or raw apples. Avoid giving them seeds though.
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid Giving Pets
There are number of common Thanksgiving foods that can be hazardous to pets. Make sure your guests know not to share any of these foods with your pets and be sure to secure your garbage so that your pets don’t accidentally ingest any of these foods or any packaging or wrappers.
Turkey Bones
Cooked bones are prone to splintering and can lodge in or puncture your pet’s digestive tract.
Turkey Skin, Gravy, and Butter
These are all high in fat which can cause pancreatitis if your pet ingests too much of them.
Cranberry Sauce
Due to its high sugar content, cranberry sauce is not good to give your pets.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic can cause gastrointestinal irritation and damage to red blood cells in pets.
Nuts
Nuts are high in fat and difficult for pets to digest, and some types of nuts are toxic to dogs.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in pets.
Chocolate
Ingesting chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and seizures in pets.
Alcohol
Alcohol can upset your pet’s stomach as well as cause liver damage.
What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something They Shouldn’t
If your pet eats one of the items on the list of foods to avoid or anything else you’re just not sure if it’s okay for them to have, it’s essential to take quick and appropriate action. Call your pet’s veterinarian, and let them know what your pet ate, how much of it they ate, and if they’re showing any symptoms, and they can advise you on what to do next which may be just monitoring them for any signs of distress or bringing them in for an exam or emergency treatment. If it’s after hours or your vet is closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, you can contact your local emergency animal hospital or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Many pet insurance companies also have free 24/7 pet health lines for their members where you can talk to a veterinary professional about what your pet ingested, and they can advise you on the next steps to take. If you have any doubts about what to do or your pet is showing serious signs of distress, don’t hesitate to take them to an emergency animal hospital right away.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
