Our dogs are surely on the list of things to be thankful for at Thanksgiving, so let’s keep them safe. Since over 50% of dog parents admit to sharing Thanksgiving table scraps with their pets, it’s a good time to be reminded of the do’s and don’ts of sharing the bounty.
Whether you choose leftovers for your dog or to prepare a special meal for your fur baby, we’ve got you covered.
Dog-Safe Thanksgiving Leftovers
Looking at the traditional Thanksgiving meal, here are some things to remember when giving your dog some of the table scraps.
Thumbs Up:
Turkey – a wonderful lean protein, but use white meat and remove any skin, fat or bones.
Mashed potatoes – a safe starch, but cheese, sour cream, butter, onions and gravy are not good; you may want to set aside some plain potatoes before adding all the goodies.
Cranberry sauce – no problem, but it’s high in sugar, so just a small amount.
Macaroni and cheese – yes, as long as your dog can handle dairy.
Green beans – yes, but it’s better if they are plain and not from a casserole or topped with butter.
Thumbs Down:
Alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, scallions) – some dogs may be accustomed to eating these ingredients, but large quantities can lead to toxic anemia.
Grapes or raisins – a definite no; they are toxic and can cause kidney failure.
Artificial sweeteners – especially Xylitol are poisonous and can be potentially deadly to dogs.
Chocolate – no, and don’t forget about baking chocolate used in some dishes.
Alcohol – a big no for pets; be vigilant about gravy made with wine or dessert with a liquor ingredient.
Homemade Thanksgiving Dinner
If you’re looking for a specially prepared dinner just for your pooch, here’s a recipe that’s easy, nutritious and delicious!
Ingredients:
2 cups turkey breast
1 cup sweet potato
1 cup white potato
½ cup green beans
½ cup peas
½ cup carrots
½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie puree)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Cook the turkey breast and shred the meat or cut it into small pieces. Boil the vegetables and cut them into bite-sized chunks.
Mix everything together with the pumpkin and olive oil. Top with a small amount of natural, degreased meat juices, or a low sodium chicken broth.
A Word of Caution
Just remember to go easy on dogs that aren’t used to getting table scraps. Suddenly switching from their normal kibble to a dish full of human food can cause havoc on your dog’s digestive system. They might be better off with just turkey and some plain veggies.
If they do overindulge and get a bout of vomiting or diarrhea, you will want to soothe their digestive system before reintroducing their normal food. For this purpose, vets often recommend a bland diet made up of a low-fat protein and starch. A good product to have on hand for these times is Under the Weather’s choice of bland diets: Chicken & Rice and Chicken & Rice with Pumpkin.
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This blog is brought to you by Under the Weather®, provider of bland diet products for dogs. These bland diet products offer a quick and convenient solution when dogs experience digestive issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Ready to go in minutes – just add boiling water to rehydrate.
Our bland diet recipes are made with 100% human-grade meats – no meat by-products, antibiotic free and no hormones added! They are gluten free and have no chemicals or dyes. Sourced and manufactured in the U.S.A.
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