Foods That Are Okay for Dogs During Thanksgiving

vcadmin | November 21, 2017

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Thanksgiving is here, and your dog will inevitably be begging to “help” you prepare that big turkey dinner. Most dog owners share food with their furry friends from time to time, and there’s nothing wrong with that – as long as you choose foods that are not only tasty, but good for your dog, too. There are plenty of safe holiday treats your dog can enjoy with you, including:

  • Turkey: You can absolutely share the star of the dinner table with your dog. Turkey is a great lean protein that benefits your dog’s health and makes them super happy, too. It’s best if you stick to white meat and remove any excess fat and skin. Make sure to remove any bones as well.
  • Mashed potatoes: Your dog loves mashed potatoes as much as you do, and they’re good for them, too. Just be aware of any added ingredients and don’t share potatoes that contain butter, sour cream, cheese, onions, or gravy. You could always mash one of the cooked potatoes to share with your dog before adding the extras for the rest of the family.
  • Cranberry sauce: Cranberry sauce won’t harm your dog, and they may love its tart sweetness. Do stick to a small helping, though, since it contains large amounts of sugar – not ideal for dogs (or people, but hey, it’s Thanksgiving).
  • Macaroni and cheese: Unless you know your dog’s stomach doesn’t handle dairy well, this comforting favorite should be fine. If your dog is better off without dairy, you can slip them a little plain macaroni, sans cheese.
  • Green beans: Plain green beans are an excellent addition to your dog’s diet any time of year. In fact, your dog can eat many fresh vegetables, including green beans, carrots, cucumbers, peas, spinach, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin (but at Thanksgiving, watch out for pumpkin pie and other dishes where the pumpkin recipe includes iffy ingredients).

Foods Your Dog Cannot Eat

Along with the foods above, which are safe and healthy for pets, there are also plenty of foods you should avoid feeding them. The following foods are potentially harmful – even lethal – to dogs, so keep them far away from your pooch’s plate.

  • Onions and garlic: Foods that contain alliums, such as onions, garlic, scallions, and leeks, should not be fed to dogs. Large amounts of these foods can lead to toxic anemia.
  • Grapes: Many people don’t realize that grapes (and, by extension, raisins), can be highly toxic to dogs, potentially causing kidney failure.
  • Xylitol: You may be making a healthier choice for most of your family by choosing an artificial sweetener to cut calories, but keep in mind that xylitol is poisonous to pets. Avoid feeding sweeteners that contain it.
  • Chocolate: Most people know that they shouldn’t share chocolate with their dogs. Make sure your dog doesn’t get his paws on any – especially baking chocolate.
  • Alcohol: Alcohol is a hard no for pets. What you may think is a small amount may be enough to make a little dog very sick. Remember to watch out for unexpected places alcohol may lurk during the holidays, such as in fruitcake and unbaked bread dough.

When you’ve all eaten your fill (Fido included), and you’re ready for a nap, make sure your dog has a comfortable place to rest, too, with a custom pet bed from J’adore. Also, if you’re planning to start your holiday shopping this Black Friday, remember that a custom pet bed is a perfect gift for your dog to discover under the tree! All of us at J’adore wish you and your entire family a very happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving.