Thanksgiving is a great time to celebrate the harvest and other blessings from the past year.
The food is always good and there's always a lot of it! And in most cases, your dog is asking for some of that Thanksgiving dinner goodness.
In this article, we'll discuss what dogs can eat on Thanksgiving - and what to avoid.
6 Thanksgiving foods dogs can eat
It's important to be aware of the different foods your dog's diet can handle during the holidays.
Let's take a look at the foods your dog can eat.
1. Green beans
Raw green beans are an excellent treat for your dog. They're full of iron and vitamin K.
So next time you're cooking green bean casserole, go ahead and give your dog a few plain green beans.
2. Canned pumpkin pie (no sugar)
Pumpkins are great for dogs! You can give your dog canned pumpkin pie right into their bowl or mix it with their food as a healthy treat. And the fiber, vitamin C, and potassium offer a great boost to their health.
Avoid other pumpkin pie ingredients like sugar. Straight from the can is best!
3. Apple slices
Remove the seeds from the apple slices, and your dog can enjoy a quick and healthy snack!
As with other foods, give your dog apples before they're added into apple pie. All that sugar isn't great for our furry friends.
4. Turkey (boneless & skinless)
Turkey is full of protein and amino acids like L-tryptophan. Take off the skin and bones before feeding it to your dog.
5. Sweet potatoes (no sugar & no butter)
Boiled or steamed sweet potatoes are a great snack for your dog. They're full of fiber and absolutely delicious.
You can even give your dog sweet potatoes throughout the year. They're full of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
6. Cranberries
Some dogs like the taste of cranberries, and some don't. But cranberries are a great treat for your dog and are packed with vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E, and vitamin K1.
Keep the cranberry treat small and avoid cranberry sauce. Cranberry sauce has added sugar and can upset your dog's stomach.
What Can Dogs Eat On Thanksgiving? (Video)
7 Foods dogs shouldn't eat on thanksgiving
Let's take a look at some foods you shouldn't feed your dog.
Whether it's Thanksgiving or not, these foods are never safe.
1. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are full of salt and butter. These ingredients can lead to an upset stomach and/or diarrhea.
Pass on the mashed potatoes and stick to sweet potatoes.
2. Raw bread dough
Raw bread dough contains yeast. Yeast can lead to increased gas in your dog, causing very dangerous problems. One of these problems is "bloat."
Bloat is a serious condition that requires veterinary medical attestation asap. Avoid raw bread at all costs.
3. Turkey bones
Your dog cannot digest chicken and turkey bones.
Additionally, these bones can be sharp and puncture their intestinal tract.
4. Onions & Garlic (Ex. stuffing or turkey dressing)
Onions and garlic should be avoided by all dogs. They're toxic and can be found in many Thanksgiving foods.
5. Pecans
In large quantities, pecans can cause upset stomach and digestive issues.
6. Chocolate, nutmeg, & xylitol (Ex. sweets and desserts)
Chocolate, nutmeg, & xylitol are all VERY toxic to dogs and must be avoided.
Chocolate and nutmeg are found in sweets and desserts on Thanksgiving. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is used in some foods.
Immediately take your dog to the vet if they've consumed any of these ingredients.
7. Mushrooms
Last on our list is mushrooms. Some mushrooms can be toxic to dogs and some mushrooms will be OK.
Overall, it's recommended to avoid mushrooms and their potential toxicity.
Bottom line
Celebrating thanksgiving is important for all families and dogs alike!
It's a great time to treat your dog to some healthy foods and plenty of playtime. Just remember to avoid toxic foods and you'll have a great time!
