Thanksgiving is an exciting time as we prepare to gather with family, express gratitude, and share a delicious feast. As pet owners, we must remember that our dogs and cats have different dietary needs and tolerances. While it’s tempting to share your food and slip them a little treat under the table, many unsafe Thanksgiving foods can be harmful to pets, leading to upset stomachs, toxic reactions, or worse. This is more prevalent in places like Las Vegas, where the desert climate and holiday festivities can stress your pet’s system. In this post, we’ll review some Thanksgiving foods to avoid feeding your pets to keep them safe and healthy throughout the holiday season.
1. Turkey Bones and Fatty Skin
In moderation, you can feed your pet lean turkey meat. However, the bones and skin are another story. Turkey bones can splinter very easily when they’re cooked. If your dog gets a hold of them, it can become a major choking hazard and disrupt their digestive tract.
Additionally, turkey skin is often seasoned with spices and can be very fatty, leading to digestive issues or even pancreatitis—a painful and potentially serious condition. If you want your dog to enjoy a yummy turkey dinner, set aside a small, unseasoned piece of white meat for your pet, but keep them away from bones and skin.
2. Stuffing and Dressing
While stuffing is an integral part of Thanksgiving dinner, it contains many ingredients that are toxic to pets, like onions, garlic, and herbs like sage. Onions and garlic contain compounds that can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats, leading to anemia. While sage is a delicious herb and safe for humans, it can upset your pet’s stomach and cause central nervous system depression. It is best to avoid giving your pet any variation of stuffing to reduce the risk of illness.
3. Gravy and Fatty Sauces
Gravy is rich and salty and often contains onions, garlic, and heavy seasonings. High-fat foods like gravy and creamy sauces are difficult for pets to digest and may cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting. Even small amounts can lead to pancreatitis in pets. Breeds such as Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dachshunds, and Poodles are prone to this condition. Avoid giving pets any gravy; if you want to treat them, consider grabbing a delicious food topper from your local pet store as a safe alternative.
4. Mashed Potatoes
Plain, cooked potatoes are not harmful to pets. Mashed potatoes often contain tons of butter, cream, salt, and sometimes even garlic or onions, making them high on the list of unsafe Thanksgiving foods. These additives can be harmful, especially if your pet consumes a large amount. Fats like butter and cream can cause digestive upset, while onions and garlic are toxic. If you want to share some potatoes with your pet, set aside a plain, small serving of unseasoned potatoes before adding any toppings.
5. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries themselves are not harmful to pets, and they can even be a healthy treat in small amounts. However, cranberry sauce is often sweetened with high amounts of sugar or, worse, xylitol—a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to pets. A small amount of xylitol can cause liver failure, seizures, and hypoglycemia in dogs. It is best to keep your pet away from cranberry sauce at all costs.
6. Pumpkin Pie and Desserts with Chocolate
Plain, cooked pumpkin is good for pets and can aid digestion. Pumpkin pie is another story. The sugar, spices, and heavy cream in pumpkin pie can upset your pet’s stomach. Chocolate is extremely dangerous, as it contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, seizures, and even death in pets. Chocolate toxicity is more dangerous for dogs, but it can also affect cats. Keep all desserts, especially those containing chocolate or xylitol, out of your pet’s reach. If you suspect your pet has consumed any chocolate, take them to your local emergency vet immediately.
7. Bread Dough and Alcohol
If you’re baking bread from scratch, keep the raw dough away from your pets. Raw yeast dough can expand in a pet’s stomach, causing bloating and discomfort. Additionally, as the dough ferments, it produces alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning. Alcohol of any kind, even in small amounts, can be dangerous to pets, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, breathing issues, and in severe cases, coma.
Safe Treat Alternatives for Pets
If you’re looking for ways to include your pet in the Thanksgiving festivities safely, there are a few simple options:
- Cooked, plain turkey – A small piece of white meat without seasonings is a safe, tasty treat.
- Plain pumpkin – Unsweetened, cooked pumpkin can be a nutritious, fiber-rich snack that aids digestion.
- Vegetables – Green beans, carrots, and small amounts of plain, cooked sweet potatoes are good options.
Make sure to introduce new foods in moderation, as even safe options can lead to upset stomachs if given in large amounts.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and celebration, but it’s also a time to keep an eye on the safety of our furry friends. Avoiding certain unsafe Thanksgiving foods can help ensure your pet stays happy and healthy, free from the risk of toxic reactions or digestive issues. If your pet does manage to sneak something harmful, monitor them closely for any symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or changes in behavior, and contact your vet if needed.
With a bit of planning, you can keep Thanksgiving safe and enjoyable for everyone—including your pets!
If you need assistance with pet sitting or dog walking this holiday season, don’t hesitate to contact us to set up a regular schedule for your pets!
