Happy Thanksgiving! We are very busy this time of year, as are you, more than likely. So, this week's post is relatively short and sweet. It discusses the dos and don'ts of Thanksgiving dinner for dogs.
First, DO share your turkey day meal with your pet. During the holidays, we often want to celebrate with our favorite fur critters, and we can do that as long as we are mindful of the things that are toxic to dogs. So, here is a short list of Thanksgiving foods and a few notes on the safety of them for your furry friends.
Yes, you can feed your dog turkey..but DON'T feed him the skin. Usually, turkey (and other poultry) skin stores all the butter/oil and seasonings used on the turkey, so it can be quite rich...much too rich for your dog. However, even if you didn't season your turkey at all, the skin is still a no-no for dogs. It is very fatty, and can cause pancreatitis! So, peel the skin from the meat and feed your dog a little bit of turkey meat, and you will be his favorite person!
In general, anything made with a lot of seasoning is something that you DON'T feed to your dog. Seasonings can cause diarrhea, bowel irritation, stomach upset and vomiting. So, a little bit of mashed potatoes may be fine for your dog, but if your dressing/stuffing is heavy on seasonings, as most are, it is probably best not to give it to your dog.
Next, beware of onions. DON'T feed your dog anything with lots of onions in it. They can be toxic to dogs in the right quantity. So, it is probably best not to feed Fido that green bean casserole with all those yummy fried onions on the top (does anyone still make that?). However, assuming that they are not highly seasoned, DO feed your dog plain green beans, roasted carrots or even unseasoned/unsweetened yams or sweet potatoes. Those vegetables are perfectly acceptable for dogs.
Similarly, beware of fruits. DON'T feed grapes and raisins, which are common fruits used in holiday foods, as they can be toxic to dogs. However, apples, pumpkin (plain pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling), pears and many other fruits are perfectly acceptable, so DO feed those.
Finally, be very careful about feeding sweets. DON'T feed pumpkin or sweet potato sweets that contain nutmeg. Nutmeg can cause neurological problems in dogs. Also, be very aware of the amount of sugar you are giving your dog. Sugar is not a part of a dog's natural diet and many dogs are very sensitive to it. And of course, any kind of chocolate is a no-no for dogs. Chocolate is toxic and can be fatal in the right quantities. So, it might be best to refrain from giving your dog a taste of your holiday sweets altogether!
Thank you for supporting our blog. I hope everyone enjoys your holiday tomorrow. Happy Thanksgiving!
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