Thanksgiving Foods that are Safe to Share with Your Dog (and those that aren’t)

Thanksgiving is the holiday of giving to those we love, including our four legged friends. If you’re wanting to share some of your Thanksgiving plate with your pup this year, you’re in luck, because there are plenty of Thanksgiving foods that are safe to share with your dog. However, there are some foods that we absolutely should not be giving to our dogs as well. Today, I’m giving you a list of all the Thanksgiving goodies you can safely share with your furry friend, and the ones that you should keep for yourself. 

Safe Thanksgiving Foods to Share with Your Dog

Turkey: Turkey is a safe Thanksgiving food to share with your dog, as long as its clear of any bones and skin. Turkey is an excellent source of protein while remaining low in calories, making it a good treat for dogs. It’s also full of nutrients that benefit the immune system, and it’s highly digestible for those pets with digestive issues. 

Potatoes: Potatoes, yams, and sweet potatoes are all a safe treat for your dog. Potatoes, specifically sweet potatoes, are chock full of nutrients, making them a good choice if you want to share a bit of your Thanksgiving dinner. Preparing them separately for your dog is a good idea, to avoid feeding them an abundance of butter, sugar, garlic, or anything else you add to them.

Veggies: Like humans, dogs greatly benefit from having vegetables added to their diet. Green beans, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and any other vegetable you’re adding to your meal are great to share with your dog, cooked or raw! Make sure they aren’t covered in anything too fatty, such as butter or gravy and you have a low calorie, high fiber snack for your dog!

Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a superfood for dogs! It is full of nutrients and aids in digestive health. If you bought plain pumpkin puree to make a pie, set some aside as a treat for your dog. This can be added to their kibble, or eaten plain.

Cranberry Sauce: Cranberry is great for a dogs urinary tract. If the main ingredient in your cranberry sauce is cranberry, it is a safe Thanksgiving food to share with your dog.

Thanksgiving Foods That Are Not Safe to Share With Your Dog

Bread: While a small amount of bread won’t harm your pup, in large amounts bread could cause issues in your dogs digestive system, so it’s best to stay away from it completely.

Stuffing: Stuffing is often full of onions, garlic, and other ingredients that are harmful to dogs. 

Pie: Pie of any sorts is full of sugar which is bad for dogs. Too much sugar can cause weight gain and lead to diabetes. Be extra sure not to let your dog eat chocolate pie or dessert of any kind, as chocolate can be deadly to our furry friends. 

Turkey Bones: While most dogs enjoy a good bone now and then, turkey bones are not a safe Thanksgiving food to share with your dog. They can easily break and splinter, making them a choking hazard. They can also cause damage to your pets mouth, or lead to a blockage in their digestive system.

Gravy: Turkey drippings and other seasonings found in gravy are not safe for dogs. Instead, drizzle some low sodium chicken or beef broth over their kibble.