Thanksgiving Foods That Are Safe To Give Your Dog

Every single dog-owner I know treats their canine companions as part of the family. This is especially true during the holiday season. I, for one, like to make my dog her very own plate for Thanksgiving dinner. She also gets to sit at the head of the table. And carve the turkey.

That being said, not all Thanksgiving food is suitable for your dog. To make sure that your pup doesn’t get sick during the festivities, here is what you can and cannot give your pooch.

Dos:

Plain Sweet Potatoes

It’s 100% okay to give your little sweet potato plain sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving.

“Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Sweet potato treats can be as simple as a dehydrated sweet potato chew,” explained Dr. Gary Richter, MS, to the American Kennel Club.

Unfortunately, your pup can't eat their sweet potatoes topped with any of the fun stuff like marshmallows or brown sugar.

Plain Potatoes

Photo by Diliara Garifullina on Unsplash

Like their cousin sweet potatoes, your pup can have some regular potatoes, as long as they are also completely plain. This means that your pooch can’t have mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes, no matter how much they beg.

Skinless Unseasoned Turkey

That’s right, your pup can enjoy the star of the Thanksgiving show. You will, however, have to make sure the turkey is skinless and unseasoned. Even though that doesn’t sound super delicious, I promise your dog won’t notice. Unsalted turkey is actually my parents’ poodle’s favorite snack, and she has excellent taste.

Corn

Photo by Wouter Supardi Salari on Unsplash

Corn is actually good for your dog as long as it isn’t on the cob, as that can be a serious choking hazard.

Don’ts:

Stuffing

I firmly believe that stuffing is by far the best part of Thanksgiving dinner, so this one is a big bummer. But the dish typically has a ton of ingredients, like garlic, onions, raisins, and various seasonings, that are very harmful to dogs.

Ham

Now, I know that turkey reigns supreme during Thanksgiving but sometimes ham is served too. If it is on your menu this year, just make sure your dog doesn’t get any, as it can have a negative effect on your pup’s digestive system.

Pumpkin Pie and any other pie filling

According to Southern Living, pumpkin pie is a big no-no, as it usually contains nutmeg, which “can be toxic for dogs.”

You can, however, give your pooch pumpkin puree and just tell them that it’s pie. Again they won’t know the difference.

Seasonal And Holidays, Lifestyle, HealthNicole MooreNovember 22, 2020thanksgiving, HolidaysComment