Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season with lots of food, family and laughter. Our family is no exception.

At any time there are 10-20 of us, including kids, dogs, cats and friends all gathering to feast on a large amount of food.

Our dogs have always been a part of the family. You can dress your dog up with these cute Thanksgiving Collars or Bandana's to add to the festivities.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Family and Pets

Turkey Talk: If you enjoy feeding your pets 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.

Try to avoid having your guests give your pets a sample. Garlic, onions, alcohol are all toxic for pets.

We tend to stuff our stuffing full of spices like onions and garlic that can harm our pets.

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.

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 pets esophagus and intestinal track.

Keep your garbage of the left over 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 pets ID on your dogs collar at all times. Dogs have been known to bolt while guests are coming in or out of the doors.

Bread Dough is a No-No: Everyone wants to share Thanksgiving dinner with their pets.

A very small piece of bread can be shared.

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.

Deserts: Always keep your dogs away from the batter. It can cause digestive upset.

What your Pets Can 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.

▶ 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.

▶ 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.

▶ 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.

Carrots:

Raw carrots can be a dogs best friend and a wonderful treat for their teeth. Loaded with beta-carotene, vitamins and packed full of fiber.

Pumpkin:

Sharing raw or cooked pumpkin is beneficial for your pets.

Pets should never be fed pumpkin pie filling out of the can.

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.

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.

Raisins or Grapes:

Grapes and Raisins are known to be highly toxic to dogs. Because of that both Grapes and Raisins should always be avoided.

Chocolate & Candy:

Don't let your dogs eat chocolate or candy. Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and can require medical attention.

Thanksgiving Recipe for Dogs Dinner

Print Pin

Holiday Dinner for the Dogs

A safe alternative to share your family Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner with your Dog.

Ingredients

2 Cups Turkey Meat Shred the meat
1 Cup Sweet Potatoes Boiled and softened
1/2 Cup Carrots Boiled and softened
1 Cup Potatoes Boiled
1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1/2 Cup Green Beans Boiled
1/2 Cup Bone Broth

Instructions

Shred and pull apart cooked turkey meat. No skin or fat.
Boil all the vegetables
Add 1/2 cup of warmed bone broth for a gravy.
Mix it all together.
Serve to your pet while eating your Thanksgiving Dinner.

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.

If you make a homemade gravy without the added onions, salt a very small amount would be okay. Salt is unhealthy for dogs.

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.

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 generally 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.

Potatoes are never recommended 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 be confusing and cause anxiety for your dogs.

If your dogs is upset, isolating them into a separate room can help them to feel safe.

Alcohol and your Dogs

Dogs should never had 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.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving from our Home to Yours.

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Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Family and Pets