What Foods Are Safe – and Unsafe – for Your Pets This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration and feasting, and many pet owners find it hard to resist sharing their holiday meals with their beloved furry companions. However, it's essential to know which foods are safe and which ones could be harmful to your pets.

Patty Spitler and Tom Dock from "Pet Pals TV" recently discussed some helpful dos and don’ts for including pets in the Thanksgiving festivities. According to Dock, it's perfectly fine to let your four-legged family members join in the fun.

“Every news site that I came across had headlines — ‘don’t feed your dog this’ — ‘don’t feed your cat this’ don’t, don’t, don’t,” Dock said. “We’re going to do it, right? We’re going to share with our pets.”

Pets are indeed part of the family, so sneaking them a bit of turkey or mashed potatoes under the table may seem tempting. However, caution is key when it comes to what you share.

Dock mentions that both cats and dogs can enjoy several Thanksgiving staples: carrots, green beans, white meat turkey (without skin), chicken (also without skin), and even a small dinner roll. The removal of skin is crucial due to its high-fat content.

“The fattiness of the skin (is important), and especially with turkey, we’re basting it with butter and lots of oils,” Dock noted. “Dogs are going to eat that and it’s going to set them up for pancreatitis, which is an inflammation of the pancreas — very painful.”

Spitler emphasizes the importance of portion control and advises against giving pets bones due to their potential to splinter.

Other Holiday Treats Safe for Pets

• Celery
• Corn off the cob
• Sweet potatoes
• Apples
• Pumpkin

Holiday Foods NOT Safe for Pets

• Onion
• Leeks
• Garlic
• Ham
• Casseroles
• Stuffing or dressing
• Grapes

The holiday season also brings additional hazards beyond food. Both Dock and Spitler recommend being cautious with decorations—especially around cats.

“People are throwing up their decorations. Pets might chew on (sparkly garland). If you’re a cat owner, it looks like prey,” Dock explained. “They’re going to chew on it because that’s how they explore. Then it gets into their body. It anchors and it will actually cause a sawing motion and actually saw through part of the G.I. tract.”

Candle safety is another important consideration; they can easily be knocked over by curious pets.