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Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Turkey roasting and basting take hours, and after the Thanksgiving meal is finished, there are casseroles, soups, and sandwiches to prepare. Could we consider giving our dogs some of the leftover turkey, either hidden under the table or placed on their own Thanksgiving “plate”?
Let’s go over everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks: can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are there any risks to feeding dogs turkey?
Can Dogs Have Turkey on Thanksgiving? A Guide to Safe Holiday Treats for Your Pup
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. But while you’re enjoying your turkey dinner, you might be wondering if your furry friend can join in on the feast. The good news is that there are a few Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs to eat, including turkey! However, there are also some foods that are dangerous for dogs, so it’s important to be aware of what you’re feeding your pet.
Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs
Here are some Thanksgiving foods that are safe for dogs to eat in moderation:
- Turkey: Turkey meat is a good source of protein and other nutrients, but it’s important to remove the skin and bones before giving it to your dog. The skin can be high in fat, and the bones can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries.
- Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a healthy source of fiber and vitamins, and they’re also low in calories. You can give your dog cooked or mashed sweet potatoes, but avoid giving them sweet potatoes that have been seasoned with sugar or butter.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin is another healthy option for dogs. It’s a good source of fiber and vitamins, and it can also help to settle an upset stomach. You can give your dog canned pumpkin or cooked pumpkin, but avoid giving them pumpkin pie filling, which is high in sugar and spices.
- Green beans: Green beans are a low-calorie snack that’s high in fiber and vitamins. You can give your dog cooked or canned green beans, but avoid giving them green beans that have been seasoned with salt or butter.
- Peas: Peas are another healthy snack for dogs. They’re a good source of protein and fiber, and they’re also low in calories. You can give your dog cooked or canned peas, but avoid giving them peas that have been seasoned with salt or butter.
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid Giving Your Dog
Here are some Thanksgiving foods that are dangerous for dogs:
- Bones: As mentioned above, bones can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries. This is especially true of cooked bones, which are more likely to splinter than raw bones.
- Fatty foods: Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, a serious condition that can be fatal. This includes foods like turkey skin, gravy, and stuffing.
- Sweets: Sweets can cause obesity and other health problems in dogs. This includes foods like pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, and candy.
- Alcohol: Alcohol is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
- Onions and garlic: Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs and can cause anemia. This includes foods like stuffing, gravy, and onion rings.
- Grapes and raisins: Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure.
Tips for Feeding Your Dog Thanksgiving Foods
If you’re going to give your dog any Thanksgiving foods, it’s important to do so in moderation. Start by giving your dog a small amount of the food to see how they react. If they have no adverse reaction, you can gradually increase the amount you give them.
It’s also important to supervise your dog while they’re eating Thanksgiving foods. This will help to ensure that they don’t eat anything that could be harmful to them.
If you have any questions about what foods are safe or unsafe for your dog to eat, please consult with your veterinarian.
Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy delicious food with your loved ones, including your furry friend. By following the tips above, you can make sure that your dog has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Choosing The Right Breed
AKC participates in affiliate advertising programs that enable websites to link to and advertise on behalf of AKC in exchange for advertising fees. org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale.
Thanksgiving, for most families in the United States, is all about the turkey. Turkey roasting and basting take hours, and after the Thanksgiving meal is finished, there are casseroles, soups, and sandwiches to prepare. Could we consider giving our dogs some of the leftover turkey, either hidden under the table or placed on their own Thanksgiving “plate”?
Let’s go over everything you need to know about turkey for dogs, from the benefits to the risks: can dogs eat turkey? Is turkey good for dogs? Are there any risks to feeding dogs turkey?
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
Whether or not dogs can eat turkey depends on how the turkey is cooked. Turkey is not inherently toxic to dogs. It’s used as an ingredient in many commercial dog foods, and is rich in protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous. Under the supervision of your veterinarian, turkey can be a wholesome component of a homemade dog food diet when it is cooked plain, meaning it doesn’t have any added salt, fat, or seasonings.
That said, the turkey we eat on Thanksgiving platters is rarely cooked “plain. We use butter or oil to rub our birds and season them with a variety of salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. Many cooks opt to stuff their turkey with onions, garlic, apples, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and more. To people eating the meal, all of these flavors, aromas, and textures can be delicious. For our dogs, some of these seemingly healthy ingredients can actually be toxic (ie, onions). Certain common Thanksgiving ingredients can cause unpleasant digestive upset or pancreatitis even if they aren’t specifically toxic to dogs. (And just so there’s no confusion: onions are toxic to dogs. ).
Can dogs eat Thanksgiving turkey?
FAQ
Can I feed my dog Thanksgiving turkey?
Can dogs have stuffing on Thanksgiving?
How much turkey can I give my dog?
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.
Is Turkey a good dog food?
When turkey is cooked plain—in other words, without added salt, fat, or seasonings—turkey can be a wholesome part of a homemade dog food diet under the guidance of your veterinarian. That said, the turkey we eat on Thanksgiving platters is rarely cooked “plain.”
Can dogs eat baked turkey?
Baked turkey is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats for pupperinos, but certain parts of your Thanksgiving turkey can cause a host of problems. Poultry bones are brittle and pointy and can get lodged in the digestive tract. Only give your pups turkey meat without bones.
Can dogs eat turkey breast?
Yes, dogs can have turkey breast. However, it should be cooked thoroughly and without any added seasoning or oils. Turkey is a lean protein that can provide essential nutrients to your pup’s diet in moderation. It’s important to remember that too much of anything can lead to an upset stomach for your dog, so feed them only small amounts at a time.