Thanksgiving dinner can leave you feeling full. If you have pets, anything left on your plate might get scraped into the food dish of your pet — or sneaked to them under the table.
Although we know what we can eat, what’s safe for our cats and dogs can be a little trickier.
“A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem,” according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse — an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best to keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.”
What your pets cannot eat
Let’s start with the foods you definitely shouldn’t give your pet, courtesy of the ASPCA:
Raw bread dough: Ingesting raw yeast bread dough can result in “bloated, drunken pets” and lead to a life-threatening emergency.
Cake: Raw eggs may contain salmonella bacteria and could result in food poisoning.
Chocolate: Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, can result in vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, increased heart rate or seizures.
Nuts: Nuts, which are high in fat, increase the risk of pancreatitis. macadamia nuts, in particular, may lead to vomiting, diarrhea or unsteady walking.
Fatty foods: Butter, gravy, bacon and other delicious fatty goods can pose serious threats of pancreatitis in pets. While symptoms may not be immediate, look out for vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.
Raisins, grapes, currents: Consuming these may result in acute renal failure in dogs.
Discarded food items: Turkey bones and items like corn cobs can lead to obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract. This may require surgery.
Xylitol (artificial sweetener): Found in candies or sweetened desserts, xylitol can decrease a dog’s blood sugar and result in liver damage.
What your pets can eat
While your furry friend has food limitations, there are some items they can enjoy. Here is a list of foods your pet can have for Thanksgiving, according to the American Kennel Club:
Potatoes and sweet potatoes: You get to enjoy both kinds of potatoes, and so can your dog. However, give only boiled or baked potatoes with no butter, sour cream, salt or pepper and serve in moderation.
Apples: This fruit is full of vitamins A and C and contains lots of great fiber.
Turkey meat (no bones, no skin): The main dish is OK to offer up in moderation, but turkey with too much seasoning may upset your pet’s stomach.
Green beans: With ample amounts of plant fiber, manganese, and vitamins C and K, plain green beans are great for dogs.
Plain peas: Peas are a fine choice, but creamed peas should be avoided.
Pumpkin: Thanksgiving’s official gourd is a healthy snack. If you’re using canned pumpkin, be sure it’s just pumpkin and not the prespiced pie mix.
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