The holidays are a time to celebrate with family, friends and lots of delicious food. Dogs can safely consume some of the ingredients in your favorite holiday meals, but others are dangerous.
Whether you’re wondering “Can dogs eat turkey?” or “Are cranberries bad for dogs?” our experts have you covered. They explain exactly which human foods your dog can eat and how to feed them to him.
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, food! But while you’re enjoying a delicious feast, you might be wondering if your furry friend can join in on the fun. Can dogs eat turkey and ham? The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.
Turkey: A Thanksgiving Treat with Caution
Dogs can eat turkey, but it’s important to be mindful of how it’s prepared. Plain, cooked turkey without any seasonings or skin is generally safe for dogs in moderation. However there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Seasonings: Avoid turkey that has been seasoned with onions, garlic, salt, or other spices, as these can be harmful to dogs.
- Skin: Turkey skin is high in fat, which can cause an upset stomach in dogs. It’s best to remove the skin before giving your dog any turkey.
- Bones: Turkey bones can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries. Always remove the bones before giving turkey to your dog.
Ham: A Thanksgiving No-No for Dogs
While turkey can be a safe Thanksgiving treat for dogs, ham is a definite no-no. Ham is high in sodium and fat, which can be harmful to dogs. It can also contain preservatives and nitrates, which can be toxic.
Other Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid
In addition to ham, there are several other Thanksgiving foods that you should avoid giving your dog, including:
- Casseroles: Casseroles often contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs, such as onions, garlic, and dairy.
- Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes are often made with butter and milk, which can cause an upset stomach in dogs.
- Creamed peas: Creamed peas often contain onions and garlic, which are harmful to dogs.
- Raisins and grapes: Raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
- Onions, scallions, and garlic: Onions, scallions, and garlic are all toxic to dogs and can cause anemia.
- Yeast dough: Yeast dough can rise in a dog’s stomach and cause bloating, which can be life-threatening.
- Fatty foods: Fatty foods can cause an upset stomach and pancreatitis in dogs.
- Foods containing spices: Many spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, can be harmful to dogs.
Thanksgiving Treats Your Dog Can Enjoy
While there are many Thanksgiving foods that dogs should avoid, there are also several safe and delicious treats that your dog can enjoy. These include:
- Plain, cooked turkey: As mentioned above, plain, cooked turkey without any seasonings or skin is safe for dogs in moderation.
- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a healthy and delicious treat for dogs. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are another healthy and delicious treat for dogs. They are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
- Green beans: Green beans are a low-calorie treat that is high in fiber and vitamins C and K.
- Apples: Apples are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. However, be sure to remove the core, as the seeds can be toxic to dogs.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a healthy and delicious treat for dogs. It is a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and beta-carotene.
Moderation is Key
Even with safe Thanksgiving treats, it’s important to feed them to your dog in moderation. Too much of any food can cause an upset stomach. It’s also important to consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new foods, especially if they have any health conditions.
Thanksgiving is a time for sharing and enjoying delicious food with loved ones, including your furry friends. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your dog has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving feast. Remember, moderation is key, and always consult with your veterinarian if you have any questions.
Holiday Human Foods Dogs Can Have
Dogs are prohibited from eating onions and the other foods listed above, but they are still allowed to eat a wide variety of holiday foods.
- Turkey: Yes, dogs can eat turkey. They can have chicken, too. Give your dog only white meat that hasn’t been seasoned or salted. Don’t give them the skin or bones, though. Although the bones seem like a fun and safe treat, they can actually cause serious harm.
- Green beans: You’re right if you believe that green beans would make a tasty dog treat. You can feed Spot raw, steamed or canned green beans. Just make sure they’re simple and devoid of any seasonings, oils, or spices, like salt. Dogs can safely eat other green veggies like spinach and broccoli, although they may produce gas.
- Carrots: Dogs can eat carrots, and the majority of them also enjoy their flavor and crunch. Dogs can consume raw carrots, but you can also try feeding them cooked carrots. The green tops are also edible.
- Cranberries: Throughout the year, your dog can consume a variety of fruits and berries. Cranberries can be given to your dog and are a popular ingredient in holiday recipes. He may not like the tart flavor, though. Store sweet cranberry sauces, relishes, and related foods out of the way.
- Dogs are allowed to eat white potatoes, but they cannot have additional ingredients like milk, butter, garlic, salt, or pepper added to them. If you intend to feed any potatoes to your dog, peel them before cooking and mashing because the skin isn’t healthy for them either.
- Sweet potatoes: Although the same cautions apply, dogs can also eat cooked and mashed sweet potatoes. Keep them simple and watch out that he doesn’t touch the sugar and marshmallow-covered yams.
- Pumpkin: Many dogs enjoy the flavor of pumpkin, which makes it a tasty and healthful treat. When feeding your dog canned pumpkin, read the label carefully. Giving him canned pumpkin pie mix, which contains sugar and spices he cannot have, is something you want to avoid doing.
Dogs can consume the aforementioned human foods, but keep in mind that treats of any kind, whether they be regular dog treats or people food, should only account for 10% of their daily caloric intake. The other 90 percent should come from a complete and balanced dog food.
Don’t overwhelm your dog with a bunch of new foods, either. Foods like turkey and carrots are safe, but consuming too many new things at once may cause upset stomach.
Onions Are Bad for Dogs & So Are Other Human Foods
Many seasonings, spices and other ingredients we add to dishes to add flavor aren’t good for dogs. Onions are bad for dogs, and so is garlic, salt and pepper.
If you plan to share any of the below dog-safe holiday ingredients, make sure they’re plain and unseasoned. It may sound boring to you, but it will be just as tasty for your pooch.
There are a couple other holiday foods to avoid besides seasonings and spices. One of the most popular is the honey baked ham. If you’ve wondered “Can dogs eat ham?”, the answer is no. Dogs shouldn’t eat deli or baked hams because they are high in sugar and salt, respectively.
You also want to keep raisins and any baked goods containing them out of reach. Items containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener, are toxic. Read all your food and medication labels and keep those items put away.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey? [ANSWERED]
FAQ
Can I give my dog ham and turkey?
Is it OK for dogs to eat turkey?
Is ham OK for dogs to eat?
Can dogs eat deli turkey slices?
Can dogs eat turkey?
High fat content can cause pancreatitis, while all the extra spices and seasonings can irritate your dog’s stomach. Only feed your dog turkey meat: Pick through whatever meat portion you’re offering your dog to ensure none of the roasting aromatics are mixed in. Onions are toxic to dogs, and garlic can be toxic in large quantities.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
Can dogs eat ham?
Ham, which is derived from pigs, is an animal-based food, but it is recommended that we do not feed ham to pet dogs. Not only does most commercially packaged ham contain large amounts of sodium, or salt, but it is also a very fatty meat when compared to other animal protein sources. It is also quite rich, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset.
Can dogs eat turkey bones?
Keeping portions small, and more like a treat, helps healthy dogs avoid any stomach upset from eating different foods than they’re used to. No cooked turkey bones: Make sure whatever portion of turkey you decide to feed your dog contains just meat, and that there are no cooked turkey bones mixed in or still attached.