Dogs are a common site at Thanksgiving dinner tables, and it's no surprise why.
Dogs are part of the family, and many people can't imagine the holiday season without them. That's why were always thankful to share a Thanksgiving meal with our dogs.
Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season with lots of food, family and laughter for your dogs and families.
You can even dress your dog up with these cute Thanksgiving collars or Thanksgiving Bandana's for the dog to add to the festivities.
Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Family and Pets
When you have a dog, Thanksgiving is a little more challenging than most holidays.
First, there's the question of what to feed your dog, as they probably don't want to eat turkey and stuffing.
1. Let's talk Turkey. If you enjoy feeding your dog's turkey, make sure it's the meaty middle portion that doesn't have the spices on it. Most pets cannot have or tolerate the spices on our foods. Having lots of spice makes our food taste good, but it's not good for our pets.
2. Try to avoid having your guests give your pets a sample. Garlic, onions, alcohol are all toxic for pets. We stuff our stuffing full of spices like onions and garlic that can harm our pets.
3. Take your dog for a walk and exercise your dogs before guests arrive to help tire them out. This will help to keep your dog calm if they get easily excited to great all your guests.
4. Quickly and safely dispose of your turkey bones so your pets cannot get to them. Turkey bones can splinter when chewed, getting caught in your dog's esophagus and intestinal track.
5. Keep your garbage of the leftover bones so that it's not accessible for your pets. Rancid meat can cause your pets to become sick from the overgrowth of bacteria.
During dinner remind your guests not to feed your pets table scraps. Or put your pets in a separate room during dinner.
If your pets are prone to anxiety, skittishness or fearful of noise or sudden quick movements, it's best to keep them put away to ward off their own nervousness.
Keep your dog's ID on their collar at all times. Dogs have been known to bolt while guests are coming in or out of the doors.
Sharing Your Bread with a Dog
Bread Dough is a No-No: Everyone wants to share Thanksgiving dinner with their pets. A tiny piece of bread can be shared with your dog.
However, raw bread dough can cause bloated and drunken dogs, which can be life-threatening.
While a small piece of baked and throughly cooked bread is okay, it's best to stick with turkey meat.
Corn-on-the-Cob
Dogs cannot digest corn, so it's never a good idea to give them corn.
The cob is not easily digested. And can get stuck in the colon. You'll want to avoid Corn on the Cob.
Desserts
Now's the best time to make your dog their own pet-safe desserts.
Always keep your dogs away from the batter of your cake or cupcakes for yourselves. It can cause digestive upset.
What can your Dog's Eat for Thanksgiving Dinner?
So what can your pets eat for their Thanksgiving Feast?
While human foods can cause diarrhea in dogs, or even pancreatitis, a painful inflammatory condition, there are a few things you can share with your pets.
Can Dog's Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Your pets will enjoy raw or dried pieces of sweet potatoes. They are packed full of beta-carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium and full of Fiber.
Never give your pets the full sweet potatoes baked with marshmallows. Marshmallows contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener. Xylitol is toxic to pets.
Can Dog's Eat Turkey?
The best part of Thanksgiving! Cooked turkey meat is fine for pets. Always choose the meaty part that doesn't contain the spices, skin or fatty portion of the turkey.
Can Dog's Eat Green Beans?
Our family always has green bean casserole for Thanksgiving dinner. The green beans are great to share with your pets in a separate pan baked without spices or mushroom soup.
Mushroom soup and onions, commonly included in Green Bean Casserole, are highly toxic to dogs.
Can Dog's Eat Carrots?
Raw carrots can be a dog's best friend and a wonderful treat for their teeth. Loaded with beta-carotene, vitamins and packed full of fiber.
Can Dog's Eat Pumpkin?
Sharing raw or cooked pumpkin is beneficial for your pets. Dog's should never eat pumpkin pie filling out of the can. The only pumpkin dogs can have is 100% Pure Pumpkin, which is good for their digestive health.
Can Dog's Eat Apples?
Who doesn't love an Apple Pie with Thanksgiving Dinner? It's a family tradition.
Giving your dogs some apples before you bake them, will give your dog their own Thanksgiving dessert.
Can Dog's Eat Corn on the Cob?
Dogs cannot digest corn, so it's never a good idea to give them corn. The cob can get stuck in the colon and cannot be digested.
Can Dogs Eat Raisins or Grapes?
No, never! Grapes and Raisins are known to be highly toxic to dogs. Because of that, both Grapes and Raisins should always be avoided.
Chocolate and Candies
Don't let your dogs eat chocolate or candy. Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and can require medical attention.
Can you give your Dog Gravy?
We all want to share our Turkey and Gravy with our dogs, but gravy can be rich and fatty, causing your dog diarrhea.
Never feed your dog off the shelf or out of the packet gravy mixes. These are high in sodium and spices, highly toxic for dogs.
The best gravy for a dog is to use bone broth in your dog's Thanksgiving Dinner meal.
Is it Safe for your Dogs to Eat Stuffing?
Stuffing, especially over the counter, is never a good idea to give to your dogs.
Not only will it cause diarrhea, but it is often full of fatty preservatives that can cause intestinal issues for your dog.
Can your Dog Eat Mashed Potatoes?
Mashed potatoes are safe for dogs. You'll want to place a small amount on their bowls before you season the potatoes.
Here's a list of 32 Fruits and Vegetables your dog can eat.
We do not Recommend Potatoes for a Dog with Diabetes.
Candy often contains xylitol, which is highly toxic for dogs. Never let your dogs have either chocolate or candy.
Guest and your Dogs
The holiday hustle and bustle can confuse and cause anxiety for your dogs.
If it upset your dogs, isolating them into a separate room can help them feel safe.
Alcohol and your Dogs
Dogs should never have alcohol. There is no drinking limit for dogs!
Thanksgiving leftovers for Dogs
If you want to share your leftovers with your dogs, you'll want to put aside the turkey meat, some sweet potatoes without the marshmallows and a few mashed potatoes.
Thanksgiving Recipe to share with your Dog
Thanksgiving Dinner for the Dog
Share your Turkey plain with your dog. Or add some potatoes, bone broth and veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 cups turkey meat, shredded - You can serve turkey plain to your dog or add in the below ingredients.
- 1 cup sweet potatoes, boiled and softened
- ½ cup carrots, boiled and softened
- 1 cup potatoes, boiled
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup green beans, boiled
- ½ cup bone broth
Instructions
- Shred and. pull apart the cooked turkey meat. Do not include the skin for your dogs.
- Boil all the vegetables until softened.
- Add ½ cup of warmed bone broth as a gravy.
- Mix it all together.
- Serve to your dog while you eat your Thanksgiving Dinner.
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