Some Thanksgiving foods are safe for dogs in small, plain portions, and many are not. Plain, unseasoned white turkey meat, plain cooked pumpkin, plain green beans and plain sweet potato are generally fine in small amounts. Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, cooked bones and anything containing xylitol are dangerous. If you are unsure about a food, skip it and call your veterinarian.
| Thanksgiving food | Safe for dogs? |
|---|---|
| Plain, boneless white turkey meat (no skin) | Yes, in small amounts |
| Plain cooked pumpkin (not pie filling) | Yes, in small amounts |
| Plain green beans | Yes, in small amounts |
| Plain cooked sweet potato | Yes, in small amounts |
| Turkey skin, drippings and gravy | No, too fatty |
| Stuffing, mashed potatoes, casseroles | No, often contain onion or garlic |
| Cooked bones | No, can splinter |
| Chocolate, grapes, raisins | No, toxic |
| Onions, garlic, chives | No, toxic |
| Desserts with xylitol, nutmeg-heavy pies | No |
| Alcohol, raw yeast dough | No, toxic |
Can dogs eat turkey?
Yes, dogs can eat turkey in small amounts when it is plain, unseasoned and boneless. White meat is the safer choice. Leave out the skin, the drippings and the gravy, because they are fatty and heavily seasoned. Never share cooked turkey bones, which can splinter and cause serious harm.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Plain cooked potato is not toxic, but traditional mashed potatoes usually are not plain. Butter, cream, garlic and onion are common ingredients, and onion and garlic are harmful to dogs. A small spoonful of plain sweet potato, with nothing added, is a better choice than the mashed potatoes from the holiday table.
Can dogs eat stuffing and gravy?
No, it is best to skip both. Stuffing often contains onions, garlic and other seasonings, and gravy is typically rich and fatty. Fatty table scraps can upset a dog's stomach, and a plate of holiday leftovers is a lot for a dog to handle at once.
Can dogs eat pumpkin and green beans?
Yes, in small amounts, as long as they are plain. Cooked, plain pumpkin and plain green beans are among the safer holiday sides. Do not use pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices, and skip green bean casserole, which usually includes onions.
What Thanksgiving foods are toxic to dogs?
Several common holiday foods and ingredients are dangerous for dogs:
- Chocolate, including baked goods and desserts that contain it
- Grapes and raisins, including in salads, stuffing and baked dishes
- Onions, garlic and chives, which show up in many savory side dishes
- Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in some sugar-free desserts, candy and gum
- Cooked bones, which can splinter
- Fatty skin, drippings and gravy
- Alcohol, including drinks left within reach
- Raw yeast dough, which can expand in a dog's stomach
- Nutmeg in large amounts, a common spice in pies and sides
For a longer list, see the ASPCA's guide to people foods to avoid feeding your pets and the AVMA's holiday pet safety tips.
Can dogs have pie and dessert?
Most desserts are best kept away from dogs. Pies may contain chocolate, raisins, nutmeg or xylitol, and rich desserts are not good for dogs even without those ingredients. If you want your dog to share in the celebration, a few bites of plain cooked pumpkin or plain sweet potato is a safer treat.
What should I do if my dog eats something dangerous?
Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Do not wait to see if symptoms appear, and do not try to make your dog vomit unless a professional tells you to. Be ready to tell them what your dog ate, roughly how much, and when. If your regular vet is closed for the holiday, ask the Poison Control Center or a local emergency animal hospital what to do next.
How can I keep my dog safe at a Thanksgiving gathering?
Keep trash cans closed and out of reach, since turkey carcasses, bones and scraps are tempting. Ask guests not to feed your dog from the table, and give your dog a quiet space with water and a bed if the house gets busy. If you would like to include your dog, set aside a small portion of plain turkey or plain pumpkin ahead of time so everyone knows what is allowed.
Traveling or Hosting This Holiday? We Can Help
If you are leaving town for Thanksgiving or the December holidays, we offer boarding at our Galleria location at 5917 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77057, and our Memorial Park location at 6434 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007. Every stay includes doggy daycare at no extra charge. See Galleria dog boarding and Memorial Park dog boarding. Ask our team about your dates, and request an appointment online.
Hosting instead? A fresh holiday groom helps your dog look and feel good before guests arrive. Grooming is available at all three of our Houston-area locations, including our grooming-only salon at 2810 Business Center Dr, Suite 126, Pearland, TX 77584. Visit our Pearland location page or request a grooming appointment. New grooming clients save 10% on any Bath, Basic or Complete Groom, or 25% when you add nail filing and teeth brushing.
You can also call us at (713) 820-6140. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The Dog House Pet Salon.