Thanksgiving is about sharing, and it is only natural to want to include your pet. A few pet-friendly bites can be a fun part of the day. The trouble is that many holiday dishes contain ingredients that can upset a pet’s stomach or cause serious illness.
Rather than a list of everything to avoid, this guide from Arlington Animal Clinic sorts common Thanksgiving foods into what is generally safe to share in small amounts and what should stay off your pet’s plate. Families in Arlington, Lexington, Belmont, Medford, and Somerville can use it to plan a safer holiday.
Thanksgiving Foods That Are Usually Safe in Small Amounts
These foods are generally fine for most healthy dogs and many cats when offered plain, cooked, and in small portions:
- Plain turkey breast, cooked, boneless, and skinless, with no seasoning or gravy
- Plain green beans, steamed or boiled, without butter, onions, or casserole toppings
- Plain sweet potato, cooked and unseasoned, with no marshmallows, butter, or sugar
- Plain pumpkin, cooked or canned, but not pumpkin pie filling
- Plain carrots, raw or cooked
- A few apple slices, with the core and seeds removed
Keep holiday extras to no more than about 10 percent of your pet’s daily calories. For a small dog or a cat, that is only a few bites. Pets with food allergies, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or other health conditions may need to skip extras entirely, so check with us first.
Thanksgiving Foods to Keep Away From Pets
Turkey Bones, Skin, and Drippings
Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, mouth injuries, or intestinal blockages. Turkey skin, fat, and gravy are very rich and are a common trigger for pancreatitis.
Stuffing and Anything With Onions or Garlic
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots, and chives, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats. They are common in stuffing, gravy, and seasoned vegetables.
Grapes and Raisins
Found in salads, stuffing, and baked goods, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Raw Bread and Roll Dough
Rising yeast dough can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol as it ferments. This is an emergency.
Desserts
Chocolate desserts are toxic, and sugar-free baked goods may contain xylitol, which is extremely dangerous for dogs. Rich pies and whipped cream can also cause stomach upset.
Corn on the Cob
Corn kernels are not toxic, but dogs often swallow chunks of cob, which can lodge in the intestines and require surgery.
Alcohol
Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for pets. Keep drinks off coffee tables and low surfaces.
Watch the Non-Food Hazards Too
- Kitchen twine and netting from the roast, which smell like meat and can tangle in the intestines
- Foil, plastic wrap, and oven bags
- Overflowing trash cans
- Guests who slip treats under the table
Take the trash out right after dinner, and let guests know your pet’s food rules.
Make a Pet-Friendly Plate
Before seasoning anything, set aside a small portion of plain turkey, green beans, and sweet potato just for your pet. Serve it in their bowl or a puzzle feeder while the family eats, so they feel included without begging at the table.
Signs Your Pet Ate Something They Should Not Have
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- A painful or bloated belly
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or weakness
- Restlessness, tremors, or seizures
If you know your pet ate something dangerous, call your veterinarian, a 24-hour emergency hospital, or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away, even if they seem fine.
Common Questions About Pets and Thanksgiving Food
Can dogs eat turkey?
Small amounts of plain, boneless, skinless turkey are usually fine. Skip the skin, gravy, and bones.
Can cats eat Thanksgiving leftovers?
A tiny piece of plain turkey is fine for most cats. Avoid anything seasoned, especially with onion or garlic.
Is mashed potato safe for dogs?
Plain boiled potato in small amounts is generally fine, but most mashed potatoes contain butter, cream, and garlic.
My dog stole a turkey bone. What should I do?
Do not try to make them vomit. Call us or an emergency hospital for advice and watch for vomiting, straining, or belly pain.
When to Schedule a Visit with a Veterinarian
If your pet has vomiting, diarrhea, or seems unwell after the holiday, give us a call at 781-646-0758. Arlington Animal Clinic is located at 191 Broadway in Arlington, MA. Please check our holiday hours ahead of time and save the number of your nearest 24-hour emergency hospital before Thanksgiving Day.
