11/17/2023
Thanksgiving: What You Can Share with Your Dog
While many of us already know we’re going to overeat on Thanksgiving, we still need to apply some restraint when it comes to sharing Thanksgiving foods with our dogs. The Thanksgiving table can have some healthy options for you to share with your dog, if you choose to. Plenty of fall favorites can be tasty (and safe) options in small portions during holiday festivities.
-Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Sweet potato treats can be as simple as a dehydrated sweet potato chew. Plain mashed sweet potatoes are an option you might find at the table. Just remember not to give your pet sweet potatoes loaded up with added ingredients like brown sugar, marshmallows, or maple syrup.
-Apples are full of vitamins A and C and contain lots of great fiber, making them a healthy Thanksgiving treat for your pet. However, if you’re sharing an apple with your pooch, be sure to cut around the core, as large amounts of apple seeds can be toxic.
-Turkey meat (no bones, no skin). If you’re wondering if dogs can eat turkey at Thanksgiving, the answer is yes, but with some caveats. Turkey meat is okay to offer up as long as it has not been prepared with any seasoning.
-Pumpkin itself is a very healthy snack. It helps with digestive health and it’s great for a dog’s skin and coat. Also, if feeding canned pumpkin, make sure it’s just pure pumpkin puree and not the pre-spiced or sugary pie mix.
Foods to avoid sharing with your dog:
Turkey bones, skin, and gravy
Stuffing
Casseroles
Mashed potatoes
Creamed peas
Chocolate, cookies, pies, and sweets (as well as anything “sugar-free” or containing xylitol, which can be fatal for dogs)
Alcoholic beverages
Raisins and grapes
Onions, scallions, and garlic
Ham
Yeast dough
Fatty foods
Foods containing spices