The holiday season is upon us! Starting with Thanksgiving, which can be a difficult time for dogs, make sure that their anxiety doesn’t affect their eating behavior. If you love to spoil your dog over the holidays, make sure you know what they can and can’t eat. 

Thanksgiving Foods to Feed Your Pup

Turkey: Turkey is a great source of protein for dogs. Not to mention, they love meat! Make sure to remove the excess fat and skin before giving it to your dog, though. Also, ensure that there are no bones, big or small, in the pieces of meat you share. Bones can be dangerous for dogs, so it’s important to be vigilant if you plan on sharing some of your meals with them. 

Vegetables: Dogs can eat carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes. They’re actually some of the healthiest foods for dogs, which is why you’ll see them listed on the ingredients of most major dog foods. When preparing these items, set aside a portion that is just for your dog. Make sure to serve them plain. Many people put salt and garlic in their vegetables, which can be poisonous to dogs. 

Rolls and Bread: A small roll or a piece of bread is perfectly okay for your dog as long as he or she does not have a gluten intolerance. However, we don’t recommend giving your dog bread too often. Instead, opt for vegetables and plain turkey!

Avoid These Thanksgiving Foods. Do not give the items listed here to your pup!

Casseroles
Many people make green bean casserole as a side to their turkey dinner. Casseroles are unhealthy for dogs because they contain onions, garlic, creams, and spices. While your dog surely can eat green beans, it’s not a good idea to feed them vegetables with added ingredients.

Stuffing
Stuffing is another food that contains onions, leeks, scallions, garlic, and even raisin. All o these ingredients are toxic to dogs and can irritate their digestive system. With all of the stress of the holidays, this is the last thing you want. 

Xylitol
Before giving your dog any Thanksgiving foods, make sure to check the ingredient list for Xylitol. This ingredient is an artificial sweetener that has been proven to be more harmful to dogs than chocolate. Some cranberry sauce, gravies, and desserts contain Xylitol, so always check the label before sharing with your fur baby!

Dessert
As you know, chocolate is dangerous for dogs. However, other desserts should also be avoided. Pumpkin pie contains spices and creams that could upset your dog’s digestive tract. However, plain pumpkin can be beneficial for their health and wellness.

If you don’t see a food item listed here, make sure to check with your vet before feeding anything to your pup!