By James Liam
Yes, your dog can join the holiday, but only with the right foods. A few bites of plain turkey and some plain vegetables are fine for most healthy dogs. The rich, seasoned, and sweet dishes on the table are where the trouble starts.
Use the list below before anyone at the table slips your dog a treat.
Safe foods for dogs (plain and in small amounts)
These foods are fine for most dogs as long as they are plain. That means no butter, salt, onion, garlic, sugar, or spices.
| Food | How to serve it | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey breast | Cooked, white meat only, no skin, no bones | Lean protein |
| Green beans | Steamed or boiled, no butter or casserole topping | Low calorie, crunchy |
| Carrots | Raw or cooked, cut into small pieces | Low calorie, good for chewing |
| Sweet potato | Baked or boiled, plain, a small amount | Fiber and vitamins |
| Pumpkin | Plain canned pumpkin, not pie filling | Fiber, gentle on the gut |
| Plain potato | Boiled, plain, a small amount | Easy to digest |
| Apple | Slices without seeds or core | Sweet, crunchy treat |
A good rule is that treats, including table food, should make up only a small share of what your dog eats in a day. Most vets suggest keeping treats to about 10 percent of daily calories. For a small dog, that might be just a few bites.
Unsafe foods for dogs
These are the foods that send dogs to emergency clinics around the holidays.
Turkey bones, skin, and drippings
Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter. They can cause choking, block the intestines, or tear the gut lining. Turkey skin, fat trimmings, and pan drippings are very high in fat, and fatty meals can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious swelling of the pancreas.
Stuffing, gravy, and casseroles
Stuffing often contains onion, garlic, leeks, or chives. All of these can damage a dog's red blood cells and cause anemia. Some stuffing also contains raisins or grapes, which can cause kidney failure. Gravy is usually fatty and salty.
Grapes and raisins
Even a small amount can cause sudden kidney injury in some dogs. If your dog eats any, read our guide on what to do if your dog ate grapes and call your vet right away.
Chocolate and desserts
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. Many desserts also contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can drop a dog's blood sugar quickly and damage the liver. Check labels on sugar free desserts, gum, and some peanut butters.
Raw bread dough
Yeast dough keeps rising in the warm stomach. It can cause painful bloating, and as the yeast works it makes alcohol, which can poison your dog.
Alcohol
Even a small amount can cause vomiting, trouble breathing, tremors, and seizures in dogs. Keep drinks off low tables.
Macadamia nuts
These can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors, and a high body temperature in dogs. Watch for them in cookies and nut mixes.
A safe Thanksgiving plate for your dog
If you want your dog to feel included, try this simple "dog plate":
- Two or three small pieces of plain turkey breast
- A spoonful of plain green beans or carrots
- One spoonful of plain canned pumpkin
Serve it in your dog's own bowl, away from the table. Then go back to their normal food for the rest of the day. Sudden big changes in diet can cause vomiting or diarrhea, even with safe foods.
Holiday safety beyond the food
The table is not the only risk. Busy houses create new problems.
- Trash cans: A trash bag full of bones, strings, and foil is very tempting. Take it outside or use a can with a locking lid.
- Cooking string and foil: Turkey string and foil soaked in juices can block the intestines if swallowed.
- Guests: Ask visitors not to feed your dog. Kids may want to share, so give them dog treats to hand out instead.
- Open doors: Dogs can slip outside while guests come and go. Make sure your dog wears an ID tag and that the microchip details are up to date.
- Stress: Some dogs get overwhelmed by noise and crowds. Set up a quiet room with water, a bed, and a chew toy.
Signs your dog ate something it should not have
Call your vet if you see:
- Vomiting or diarrhea, especially more than once
- A swollen or tight belly, or your dog standing in a "praying" position with the front end down
- Restlessness, drooling, or trying to vomit without bringing anything up
- Low energy or hiding
- Tremors, wobbly walking, or seizures
Many clinics have shorter hours on the holiday, so look up your nearest emergency animal hospital before the big day. Save the number in your phone along with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number, (888) 426-4435, where a fee may apply.
A five minute checklist before guests arrive
Run through this list the morning of the holiday:
- Save two numbers in your phone: your nearest emergency animal hospital and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
- Pick a "dog plate" helper. One person serves your dog's safe portion so nobody else feels they need to.
- Clear low surfaces. Move appetizers, nut bowls, and drinks away from coffee tables and low counters.
- Prepare a safe chew or a stuffed food toy to keep your dog busy during dinner.
- Lock up the trash or take it straight outside after carving the turkey.
- Check gates and doors, and make sure your dog's ID tag is on.
- Tell guests the rule: no feeding the dog from the table, no matter how sweet the eyes.
If you also have a cat
Cats get into holiday food too. Turkey skin, gravy, and bones carry the same risks for cats, and onion and garlic are harmful to them as well. Keep turkey string and foil away from cats, since string can be very dangerous if swallowed.
The bottom line
Keep it plain and keep it small. A few bites of lean turkey and simple vegetables let your dog enjoy the holiday safely. Everything rich, seasoned, sweet, or bony stays on the human side of the table.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Yes, a few small pieces of plain, cooked white meat are fine for most healthy dogs. Remove all skin, fat, bones, and seasoning first. Skin and drippings are high in fat and can trigger pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Plain boiled potato is fine in small amounts, but holiday mashed potatoes usually contain butter, milk, garlic, or onion. Those extras can upset a dog's stomach, and garlic and onion can damage red blood cells. Skip the mashed potatoes.
Is pumpkin pie safe for dogs?
No. Pie usually contains sugar, spices such as nutmeg, and sometimes xylitol. Plain canned pumpkin with nothing added is a much better choice.
What should I do if my dog ate a turkey bone?
Call your vet for advice. Do not try to make your dog vomit, because a sharp bone can cause more damage on the way back up. Watch for vomiting, straining, belly pain, or blood in the stool.
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