Thanksgiving is a feast for people, and for pets it’s a day full of amazing smells, busy kitchens, dropped food and new faces at the door. A little planning keeps the day happy for everyone. Here’s what your dog or cat can safely enjoy, what to keep off their plate, and how to keep them calm while the house is full.
Foods to keep away from pets
Many Thanksgiving favorites are risky for dogs and cats. Keep these out of reach:
- Turkey bones. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or injuries to the mouth, throat and gut.
- Turkey skin, fat and gravy. Rich, fatty foods can upset the stomach and are linked to pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes serious illness.
- Stuffing. It usually contains onions, garlic, leeks or chives. These are toxic to dogs and cats, whether raw, cooked or powdered.
- Grapes and raisins. These can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts. Watch for them in salads, stuffing and desserts.
- Chocolate. Chocolate desserts are toxic to dogs and cats. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous.
- Xylitol. This sweetener, found in some sugar-free desserts, gum and peanut butter, is extremely dangerous to dogs.
- Raw yeast dough. It can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol as it ferments.
- Alcohol. Even small amounts can poison a pet. Watch unattended drinks.
- Corn cobs, string, foil and wrap. The string used to tie a turkey and the foil or plastic that held it smell delicious. Swallowed, they can block the intestines.
Small, safe tastes
If you’d like your pet to join in, a few plain foods are generally fine in small amounts for healthy dogs and cats:
- a little plain, cooked, boneless turkey breast with no skin, seasoning or gravy
- plain cooked green beans or carrots
- plain cooked pumpkin (not pie filling, which has sugar and spices)
- a bit of plain cooked sweet potato with no butter, sugar or marshmallows
Keep portions tiny. Treats should be a small part of your pet’s daily food, and sudden rich food can cause stomach upset even when it’s safe. If your pet has a health condition or a special diet, check with your vet first.
A better option for most pets is their own holiday treat. Single-ingredient treats, such as Chicken Chips for Dogs, let your dog feel included without the risks of table scraps.
Kitchen and trash safety
- Keep pets out of the kitchen while you cook. A baby gate works well. Hot pans, dropped knives and spilled food are all hazards.
- Push food back from counter edges. Dogs are skilled counter surfers on big food days.
- Take out the trash promptly and use a can with a secure lid. The turkey carcass and its string, bones and wrapping are a major temptation.
- Clear the table soon after dinner and ask guests not to leave plates on low tables.
Guests, doors and escape prevention
Busy front doors are one of the biggest holiday risks. Pets can slip outside as guests arrive or leave.
- Check ID tags and microchip details before the day, so your contact information is current.
- Give your pet a quiet room with water, a bed and a favorite toy during arrivals and dinner. Put a sign on the door so guests don’t let them out.
- Brief your guests. Kindly ask them not to feed your pet from the table, and explain any house rules.
- Watch children with pets. Kids may share food or overwhelm a nervous animal.
Not every pet enjoys a crowd. Our guide to understanding dog behavior explains the stress signals to watch for, such as yawning, lip licking, turning away and tucking the tail.
Cats and birds need extra care
Cats
Cats often hide when the house gets busy. Let them. Make sure they have a quiet room with their litter box, food and water. Check floral centerpieces too. Lilies are very toxic to cats, and even the pollen or the water in the vase can cause kidney failure.
Birds
If you have a pet bird, keep it well away from the kitchen. Fumes from overheated non-stick (PTFE) pans can be deadly to birds, and holiday cooking means a lot of hot pans. Our post on safe bird toys and accessories covers more bird safety.
A calm-day plan for your pet
- Exercise first. A long walk or a good play session before guests arrive helps your dog settle.
- Keep routines. Feed your pet’s normal meals at the usual times.
- Give them a job. A lick mat or a chew toy keeps a dog busy and calm in its quiet space. Spread a little of your dog’s usual wet food on a Lighthouse eMat lick mat, or offer a sturdy chew like the Rocket Ship nylon chew toy. Supervise with new toys.
- Plan for travel. If you’re bringing your dog along, our guide to road trips with your dog covers safe car setup.
Cold weather may arrive by late November too. See our winter pet care tips for walks and paws.
If your pet eats something it shouldn’t
Don’t wait for symptoms. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away, or one of these poison helplines (fees may apply):
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
Have the packaging or recipe handy, and know roughly how much your pet ate and when. Don’t try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. Find out before the holiday which emergency vet near you is open on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving pet safety FAQ
Can dogs eat turkey?
A small amount of plain, cooked, boneless turkey breast without skin or seasoning is generally fine for healthy dogs. Skip the bones, skin, gravy and stuffing.
Can cats eat turkey?
A tiny piece of plain, cooked, boneless turkey is generally fine. Avoid skin, seasoning, gravy and anything with onion or garlic.
Is pumpkin pie safe for dogs?
No. Pie filling contains sugar and spices, and some recipes use xylitol. Plain cooked pumpkin is the safer choice.
My dog ate a little stuffing. Should I worry?
Stuffing often contains onion and garlic, which are toxic. Call your vet or a poison helpline for advice, especially for small dogs.
We run the NicheStuff store; some links in this post go to products we sell.
Top image: “Cats like Thanksgiving” by liz west, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.