As we prepare to gather with family and friends around a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner, you might be wondering what foods you can share with your dog. It’s important to remember that not all people foods are safe for pets. So, what foods can you share?
Top 5 Foods to Share With Your Dog This Thanksgiving
- Turkey
- Sweet Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Carrots
- Pumpkin Puree
For any food that you are going to share with your dog, try to make sure it is natural and not overly seasoned or rich. You want to go for plain turkey meat with skin and fat removed. Sweet potatoes, green beans, and carrots should be steamed or baked with no additional sugar or butter added. Pumpkin should be cooked or canned, and not already in a pie. Anything overly rich is likely to give your dog an upset stomach.
If you’re ever unsure about feeding something to your dog, use a reputable resource to look the food up, or avoid it altogether. I was once eating a salad with some fresh and dried fruit in it and I dropped a raisin. I was going to let my dog eat it, but surprisingly, he sniffed it and avoided it. (This is surprising because he regularly tries to eat rabbit poop, grass, and crunchy worms, among other questionable non-food choices.) I looked it up online and found out that raisins are a big NO for dogs and are considered toxic for them. Thankfully, I picked it up, and we avoided a potential disaster. If you’re not sure, skip sharing the human food. Thanksgiving can be a good time to find special treats for your pet at the store, so prepare ahead by having some of their favorite dog treats standing by. There are often pumpkin- or apple- flavored fall treats, and you can find something pet-approved online or at the store.
Top 5 Foods to Keep AWAY from your Dog
- Bones
- Stuffing
- Rich Side Dishes (Butter, Sugar, Cream)
- Pecan Pie
- Grapes / Raisins
Giving your dog bones straight from the turkey can be dangerous. The bones can splinter and cause choking or injury for your pup. Stuffing often contains ingredients like onions, garlic, and raisins, all of which are a NO for dogs. Most side dishes are made delicious by the addition of loads of butter, sugar, or both, so those should be avoided as well. Pecan pie is both loaded with sugar and has pecans, so that one isn’t a good choice for dogs either. As I mentioned earlier, grapes and raisins are a big NO for dogs. They can do a lot of harm in small amounts and are considered toxic for pups. Definitely stay away from offering bones, stuffing, rich side dishes, pecan pies, and grapes and raisins.
Thanksgiving Travel Without Pets
Are you travelling for Thanksgiving to somewhere that (gasp!) doesn’t allow dogs? Hopefully you will still find things to be grateful for, and one of those gratitude’s could go to Peak City Puppy. Offering both overnight visits in your home and the option to board your pet in a professional sitter’s home, you can have peace of mind while eating your piece of pie. Peak City Puppy professionals will treat your dog with love and care, and they will make sure that only “pet parent-approved” food and treats will be fed to your pet.
Keep your pets safe this Thanksgiving, and remember to be grateful for all of life’s blessings, especially DOGS!
