As the holidays approach and our plates fill with homemade treats, remember that many holiday foods are unhealthy or even poisonous for dogs.
Find out which foods are best avoided giving your dog, whether you let them lick the plate or set aside a bowl full of scraps. These foods range from savory mashed potatoes and gravy to sweets and treats.
Thanksgiving is a time for family friends and of course, delicious food. But while we humans can indulge in a feast of turkey, stuffing, and all the trimmings, it’s important to remember that not everything on the table is safe for our furry companions. So, can dogs eat turkey stuffing? The answer is a resounding no.
Why Turkey Stuffing is a No-No for Dogs
While the aroma of savory stuffing wafting from the oven might tempt you to share a bite with your pup, it’s crucial to resist the urge. Turkey stuffing is a dangerous combination of ingredients that can cause serious health problems for dogs, including:
- Pancreatitis: This painful and potentially life-threatening condition is triggered by high-fat foods like the butter, cream, and sausage often found in stuffing.
- Gastrointestinal upset: The rich ingredients and spices in stuffing can upset your dog’s stomach, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Onions and garlic toxicity: These common stuffing ingredients are highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts, and can cause anemia, weakness, and even death.
Thanksgiving Feast Alternatives for Your Dog
It doesn’t mean your dog can’t have their own special treat just because they can’t share in your Thanksgiving meal. Your pet will enjoy these safe and healthful substitutes for stuffing for Thanksgiving:
- Plain, cooked turkey: Choose white meat without the skin and remove any bones.
- Mashed sweet potatoes: Skip the butter and brown sugar, and opt for plain, cooked sweet potatoes.
- Green beans: Fresh, frozen, or canned green beans are a healthy and low-calorie snack for dogs.
- Pumpkin: Canned or cooked pumpkin is a great source of fiber and vitamins.
- Apples: Sliced apples are a refreshing and low-calorie treat.
Additional Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Dogs
Beyond avoiding turkey stuffing here are some additional tips to ensure your dog has a safe and happy Thanksgiving:
- Keep all human food out of reach: This includes not only stuffing but also other potentially harmful Thanksgiving dishes like turkey bones, gravy, and desserts.
- Supervise your dog around guests: Make sure your guests are aware of which foods are off-limits for your dog and ask them to avoid giving your pup any table scraps.
- Keep an eye on the trash: After the feast, secure your trash cans to prevent your dog from rummaging for discarded food.
- Have your vet’s contact information handy: In case of an emergency, having your vet’s number readily available will ensure you can get prompt medical attention for your dog.
Making Thanksgiving a Happy and Safe Holiday for Everyone
You can make sure that your dog celebrates Thanksgiving with the family in safety and happiness by adhering to these easy guidelines. Recall that taking a few extra precautions can help ensure your pet stays safe and healthy throughout the holiday season. Thus, savor the feast and remember to show your dog extra love and care—they’ll appreciate it!
Holiday Foods That Are Bad for Dogs
Packed with dairy and butter, this dish should never be given to your pup.
Mashed potatoes contain high levels of fat, which raises the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like pancreatitis and diarrhea.
Gravy is equally harmful and very high in sodium and fat.
As a pup-friendly alternative, consider these tasty treats:
Casseroles and Spreads
Seasonal casseroles are loaded with fats, oils, butter, salt, and garlic and onions, which are poisonous to dogs.
Even if a recipe calls for a vegetable that is safe for dogs, like sweet potatoes or green beans, it still poses a risk to your dog.
Dogs should also not be given dairy products. Avoid the heavy appetizers, such as cheese balls and fatty dips and spreads.
Since most dogs have digestive tract issues, testing their limits during the holidays is not the best idea.
Here are a few alternatives for your four-legged companion:
Stuffing is a fatty, sodium-packed food that contains onions and garlic, which are both toxic to dogs. Do not give your pup stuffing.
Instead, offer these safe choices to your fur baby:
Holiday fruitcake poses as a bread but is more of a dessert. It’s deadly to dogs, as it’s loaded with raisins.
Even just a few dropped raisins can cause kidney failure and is fatal to dogs.
Rich, sugary desserts like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and chocolate pie may be enjoyed by humans, but they can cause serious harm to dogs.
Dogs will go to great lengths to get at these treats. Dont leave the candy bowl or kitchen counter unsupervised and within a paws reach—even for a moment.
While not all desserts are toxic to dogs like chocolate is, desserts are never a safe option.
Artificial sweeteners found in desserts, such as xylitol, can be deadly in small quantities.
Save the after-dinner sweets for the humans.
For dessert, give your dog a safe treat, such as:
Can dogs eat Thanksgiving turkey?
FAQ
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