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On the fourth Thursday in November, we always celebrate Thanksgiving. As we prepare for the beloved holiday, we have to take into consideration every member of the household.
While Thanksgiving doesn’t have the fun costume playtime and treats of Halloween, it is still an amazing holiday. As a pet parent, you should make sure that your dog gets both tasty and healthy food.
How to Have a Pet-Safe Thanksgiving?
While it might be tempting to give your dog food from the table, avoid it. Do not give Thanksgiving treats straight out of your dinner plate.
Some holiday foods have a high-fat content, harmful spices or ingredients, and can cause an adverse reaction in your furry friend.
The best idea is to prepare separate Thanksgiving treats and meals for your dog, but more on that later on. Safe Thanksgiving foods for pets are those cooked plainly, without any spices.
Safe Thanksgiving Foods
You can give any of these foods to your dog, either as standalone treats, pet food toppers, or meals. If you give your dog treats, remember that they should comprise only 10% of your pet’s calorie intake for the day. Now let’s take a look at Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs.
Cooked, Unseasoned Turkey
Cooked turkey without seasoning is a safe and protein-rich ingredient for dogs. Take out all the bones as they pose a choking risk for your furry friend.
Remember to check whether your dog is allergic to chicken or turkey protein.
Cooked, Unseasoned Beef
If your puppy is allergic to turkey meat, you can always use beef as an alternative treat and food topper. Like lean turkey meat, beef is an amazing source of protein. Make sure to cook beef completely and remove all bones before serving it to your dog.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and iron. While sweet potatoes improve your dog’s digestive tract, do not give them a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.
Unseasoned Scrambled Eggs
We add eggs to so many Thanksgiving recipes. Yet, our dogs can eat only a small batch of unseasoned scrambled eggs. This tasty treat is rich in protein, vitamin D, and riboflavin.
Corn
In small servings, corn is a healthy snack rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. Often used as a filler in dog food, you can prepare corn safely by cooking it and then removing it from the cob. Do not give your dog a corn cob, it is a choking hazard.
Apples
Apples make it into so many desserts during Thanksgiving, like the classic apple pie. Those desserts are not safe for dogs, but a plain cut of apples is a great source of fiber.
Cooked, Unseasoned Pumpkin
Pumpkin is an iconic autumn fruit and a tasty treat for dogs. Cooked, unseasoned pumpkin is an amazing source of fiber that helps with digestion.
Cooked, Unseasoned Green Beans
Set aside a few green beans for your furry friend. Cooked, unseasoned beans contain a lot of fiber and potassium. The former helps with digestion, while the latter helps with optimal muscle and nerve function.
Dangerous Thanksgiving Foods
Changes in diet can result in gastrointestinal upset in dogs, even more, if you give them high-fat foods. Do not let your dog join in on the feast for these foods.
Cooked Turkey
The fatty turkey skin is a potential risk for gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis. Cooked turkey bones can splinter, and injure your dog’s mouth or intestine. Undercooked turkey puts your pet at risk of Salmonella poisoning.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic are staples for cooking. While these spices add rich flavor to any meal, they contain thiosulphates, a dangerous ingredient for dogs. Consuming garlic and onion can cause your dog’s red blood cells to break down and result in anemia.
Alcohol
There is always alcohol around the holiday table. You and your guests can celebrate the holiday with a glass of wine or cocktail, but your dog should not join in.
Unbaked dough
Be careful where you leave the dough to proof. Dogs should not consume unbaked dough that contains yeast. If your dog ingests it, it can expand in its stomach and cause a blockage. Additionally, alcohol from the fermenting yeast can cause poisoning.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains two ingredients that can cause central nervous stimulation and increased epinephrine levels in dogs, caffeine and theobromine. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and can result in symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness.
Grapes and Raisins
Two popular fruits that make it onto the Thanksgiving dinner table, consuming grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure.
What About Floral Arrangements?
Some flowers and decorative plants are toxic to pets. Some of the popular flowers toxic to pets include:
- Lilies – cause stomach upset in dogs.
- Hydrangeas – poisonous to pets if ingested.
- Autumn crocuses – pretty plants that can cause vomiting and GI bleeding.
See also
Do Not Let Your Decor Be a Pet Hazard
Plenty of holiday decorations, including candles, string lights, faux flowers, ornamental corn cobs, and leaves can be dangerous to pets.
If your dog loves to explore the world with its mouth, keep these decorations out of reach. Pay extra attention to linear objects like ribbons, string, and twine used for decorations.
No Bake Pumpkin Thanksgiving Treats
You do not have to bake to make healthy and tasty dog Thanksgiving treats for your dog.
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup of flaxseed oil
- 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons of cinnamon
How to Make Them?
- Heat a saucepan on low heat and allow the coconut oil to melt. Add pumpkin puree and continue stirring until the coconut oil absorbs some of the pumpkin flavor.
- Get a silicone mold and spoon the pumpkin and coconut mixture into each cavity. Add some cinnamon for extra health benefits.
- Fill in all cavities and then place in the freezer for an hour. Serve them solid.
Thanksgiving Dog-Safe Meal
Your dog can enjoy turkey meat in a dog-safe meal. Turkey is one of the best lean meat options for a healthy dog. It contains a high dose of protein and a low amount of fat.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey.
- ½ cup of chopped broccoli.
- ½ cup of chopped carrots.
- ¼ cup of pumpkin puree.
- 2 tablespoons of fish oil.
- 2 cups of water.
How to do it
- Start by cooking the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium heat. When ready, it will turn brownish. Cut it or break it into small pieces.
- Add chopped vegetables to the skillet and cook for five more minutes. The vegetables should soften when they are ready.
- Stir in the pumpkin puree and fish oil, and mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Pour water into the skillet, bring the mixture to boil, and then reduce heat. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat to cool down. You can serve it as it is, or run it through a food processor for a smoother consistency.
Final Words
Once you finish with your meal, and you manage to keep your dog away from the dinner table, keep the trash secured. There is always the risk of your dog getting into the trash and feasting on the leftovers.
In the case your dog ingests something he shouldn’t eat, consult your vet or call the emergency pet poison helpline.
