Can Dogs Have Ham and Turkey? A Guide to Holiday Foods for Your Furry Friend

The holidays are a time to enjoy each other’s company, good food, and family. Dogs can safely consume some of the ingredients in your favorite holiday meals, but others are dangerous.

Our experts have the answers to your questions, whether they are “Can dogs eat turkey?” or “Are cranberries bad for dogs?” They detail the precise human foods your dog is allowed to eat as well as how to give them to him.

The holidays are a time for family, friends, and of course delicious food. But while you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving feast, you might be wondering which foods are safe for your furry friend to enjoy. Can dogs have ham and turkey? What about other holiday staples like mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce?

This guide will answer all your questions about holiday foods for dogs, helping you keep your pup safe and happy during the festive season.

Can Dogs Have Ham?

While ham isn’t toxic to dogs, it’s not recommended as a regular treat. Ham is high in sodium and fat, which can be harmful to dogs in large amounts. Additionally, ham often contains seasonings and preservatives that can be dangerous for dogs.

Here’s why ham isn’t the best choice for your dog:

High in sodium: Too much sodium can lead to kidney damage and other health problems in dogs.
High in fat: Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs, a serious condition that requires veterinary attention.
Seasonings and preservatives: Many hams contain seasonings and preservatives that can be harmful to dogs, such as onions, garlic, and nitrates.

If you do decide to give your dog a small piece of ham, make sure it is plain, unseasoned, and cooked thoroughly.

Can Dogs Have Turkey?

Turkey is a much safer option for dogs than ham. However, it’s important to prepare it properly.

Here’s how to safely give your dog turkey:

Remove the skin and bones: The skin and bones can be choking hazards for dogs.
Cook it plain: Don’t add any seasonings or sauces to the turkey.
Cut it into small pieces: This will make it easier for your dog to chew and digest.

A small amount of plain, cooked turkey can be a healthy and delicious treat for your dog.

Other Holiday Foods Dogs Can Eat

In addition to turkey, there are several other holiday foods that dogs can safely enjoy in moderation:

Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber and vitamin A.
Green beans: Green beans are low in calories and fat, and they contain vitamins C and K.
Cranberries: Cranberries are a good source of antioxidants.
Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a healthy and low-calorie treat for dogs.

However, there are also some holiday foods that dogs should avoid, such as:

Mashed potatoes: Mashed potatoes often contain butter, milk, and other ingredients that are not good for dogs.
Stuffing: Stuffing can contain onions, garlic, and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
Gravy: Gravy is high in fat and can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
Desserts: Desserts often contain sugar, chocolate, and other ingredients that are harmful to dogs.

Tips for Feeding Your Dog Holiday Foods

Moderation is key: Even healthy holiday foods should only be given to your dog in moderation. Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
Introduce new foods slowly: If you’re giving your dog a new food for the first time, start with a small amount and watch for any signs of digestive upset.
Don’t give your dog human food as a replacement for their regular diet: Your dog’s regular dog food should provide them with all the nutrients they need.

While there are some holiday foods that dogs can safely enjoy, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re feeding your furry friend. By following the tips above, you can help keep your dog safe and healthy during the holiday season.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

Purina: https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/health/nutrition/holiday-human-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat
American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/thanksgiving-foods-dogs-can-and-cant-eat/
PetMD: https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_thanksgiving_foods_dogs_can_and_cant_eat

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 remaining 90% ought to come from a dog food that is complete and balanced.

However, avoid overfeeding your dog with a variety of new foods. 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

Dogs shouldn’t consume a lot of the seasonings, spices, and other ingredients we use to give our food flavor. Dogs shouldn’t eat onions, garlic, salt, or pepper.

Make sure the dog-safe holiday ingredients listed below are simple and unseasoned if you intend to share any of them. Although it might seem monotonous to you, your dog will find it equally delicious.

Beyond seasonings and spices, there are a couple more holiday foods to steer clear of. One of the most popular is the honey baked ham. The answer to the question “Can dogs eat ham?” is no. Dogs shouldn’t eat deli or baked hams because they are high in sugar and salt, respectively.

Raisins and any baked goods containing them should also be kept out of reach. Items containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener, are toxic. Examine the labels on everything you eat and take medication, then store those things.

Can Dogs Eat Turkey? [ANSWERED]

FAQ

Can a dog eat turkey and ham?

Deli meat is usually laden with added sodium, fat and seasonings and may not be ideal options for many dogs. If your dog is not easily stressed and handles changes to its diet easily, roasted or baked turkey breast can be a generous treat. But be cautious not to overindulge or feed turkey with unknown additives.

Is it OK for dogs to eat ham?

Yes and no. Although ham isn’t toxic for your dog, it’s best to avoid it in large quantities. The odd small bite is unlikely to cause an issue (unless your dog has a known or underlying medical condition), but it’s not the best meat for your pup to consume a lot of.

Is it OK for dogs to eat turkey?

You may have noticed that turkey is a common ingredient in dog treats and dog food. Skinless, unseasoned white turkey meat that’s been properly cooked is actually fine for dogs to consume in small amounts. Ground turkey, as long as it’s plain and has no additives, is also perfectly healthy for dogs.

Why can’t dogs have ham on Thanksgiving?

While it isn’t toxic in itself, ham has a high sodium content and includes preservatives located with nitrates and nitrates, which are also sodium based. Too much sodium can be especially detrimental and cause kidney damage or seizures in dogs and even result in death.

Can dogs eat turkey meat?

Turkey meat is okay to offer up “as long as it has not been prepared with any seasoning,” says Dr. Ochoa. (That probably rules out your perfectly roasted holiday bird.) Dr. Klein advises owners to skip out on not just feeding turkey bones, but to also skip feeding dogs the turkey’s skin.

Is ham gluten free?

Ham naturally by itself is gluten-free. Although, many companies made their ham with gluten-containing ingredients like broth, spices, and glazes. So, you must prefer brands that indicate they are gluten-free on the packaging.

Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Turkey meat, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin are all safe, healthy foods to share with your dog. Bones, sweets, alcohol, and fatty foods are all things that should be avoided by dogs. While many of us already know we’re going to overeat on Thanksgiving, we still need to apply some restraint when it comes to sharing Thanksgiving foods with our dogs.

Can dogs eat sweetened Ham?

Feeding sweetened ham to dogs frequently can also lead to tooth decay . Many varieties of hams also contain nitrates, which are known carcinogens, meaning they promote cancer. For this reason, feeding ham on a daily or frequent basis can increase your dog’s risk of cancers.