We are all thankful for our pets, but we need to be very vigilant in how we celebrate with them at Thanksgiving!
Do NOT Share These Foods with Your Pets!
We always want to share the excitement of the Holidays with our pets and this includes Thanksgiving when food is the focus. However, because they have a digestive system that is very different from a human's, it is extremely important not to share the following human Thanksgiving foods with your pets:
- Ham and Pork Products
These items are high in fat, salt, sugar, and nitrates. This can lead to an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and even life-threatening pancreatitus. - Turkey/Poultry Bones
Turkey bones can get lodged in a pet's throat causing choking. The sharp, splintered pieces of bone can also cause serious cuts and internal injuries when consumed. - Raw Yeast Dough
Raw yeast can be very dangerous to pets. As the yeast rises in the pet's stomach, it releases CO2 and Ethanol. The CO2 can lead to painful, dangerous bloating. The Ethanol can lead to alcohol poisoning, and aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs. - Stuffing or Casseroles with Onions, Scallions, or Garlic
All foods in the onion family are poisonous to pets. These foods immediately cause an upset stomach, followed by (often days later) dangerous anemia, breathing difficulties, bloody urine, and even seizures. - Grapes or Raisins
Avoid any foods that contain fresh grapes or dried grapes (raisins) as they can lead to irreversible kidney damage and potentially fatal kidney failure in pets. - Chocolate
Dogs and cats like the smell and taste of chocolate so they may beg to share your chocolate desserts. Do not let them. Chocolate is toxic to pets and the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. - Desserts, Beverages, or Peanut Butter with Xylitol
Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener that is great for humans but very dangerous for our pets. It is often found as an alternate sweetener in popular store-bought desserts and yes, even in peanut butter. It is important to carefully read the entire ingredient list of all foods we intend to share with our pets and avoid anything with Xylitol!
Pet-Safe Thanksgiving Foods:
With all the dangers listed above, the safest course of action is to avoid giving your pets any human foods at Thanksgiving and throughout the year, especially if they have any underlying health issues. With that being said, there are a few pet-safe Thanksgiving options that we can share safely with our pets during this season of celebration. See those options listed below:
- Lean, Skinless, Unseasoned Turkey
Make sure that all bones have been removed. - Plain Sweet Potatoes or White Potatoes
Hold the butter, seasonings, and sugar! - Green Beans
Again, with no salt, oils, butters, or seasonings added. - Pumpkins
Pumpkin is safe as a treat for pets – fresh, canned, or cooked plain without added ingredients. Pumpkin can actually be a digestive aid. - Corn
A small amount of cooked corn off-the-cob with no added ingredients is safe for pets. - Fresh Apple Slices
Fresh apple slices with all seeds and core removed are also a healthly, safe treat for dogs.
These are just some of the most common Thanksgiving food precautions you should consider at Thanksgiving and all year long. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office.
336-644-1522