Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat: A Simple Guide
Those big eyes at the dinner table are hard to say no to. Some Thanksgiving foods are fine for dogs in small amounts, and some can send them to the emergency vet. Here is the simple version, based on guidance from the ASPCA and the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Quick Facts
- Safe in small amounts: Plain, boneless, skinless turkey; plain green beans; plain pumpkin; plain cooked sweet potato
- Keep away: Turkey bones and skin, gravy, stuffing, onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol, yeast dough, alcohol
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can Eat
- Turkey meat: plain, cooked, boneless and skinless, with no seasoning, butter or gravy.
- Green beans: plain, with no butter, onions or casserole toppings.
- Pumpkin: plain canned or cooked pumpkin, not pie filling.
- Sweet potato: plain and cooked, without butter, sugar or marshmallows.
Keep portions small. A rich new food in a big helping can upset any dog's stomach.
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can't Eat
- Turkey bones: cooked bones can splinter and injure or block the gut.
- Turkey skin, fat and gravy: fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis, a painful and serious illness.
- Stuffing: usually made with onions, garlic and herbs, and often rich in fat.
- Onions, garlic, leeks and chives: can damage red blood cells and cause anemia.
- Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney damage in dogs.
- Chocolate and coffee desserts: toxic to dogs.
- Sugar-free desserts with xylitol: can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage.
- Raw yeast dough: can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol.
- Macadamia nuts: can cause weakness, tremors and vomiting.
- Alcohol: even small amounts are dangerous.
Tips for a Calm Holiday
Tell guests not to share plates with the dog. Take the trash out right after dinner, since bones and fatty scraps in the bin are a common emergency. If your dog gets overwhelmed by crowds, give them a quiet room with water and a chew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat turkey?
Plain, cooked, boneless and skinless turkey is fine in small amounts. Skip skin, bones and gravy.
Can dogs eat stuffing?
No. Stuffing usually contains onions and garlic, which can harm dogs.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Best to skip them. They are usually made with butter, milk and sometimes garlic.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet eats something worrying, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply).
Related Stories
- Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin? Puree, Pie, Seeds and Pumpkin Spice Explained
- Sergeant Stubby: The Stray Dog Who Became a World War One Hero
- Barry the Saint Bernard: The Alpine Rescue Dog Who Saved 40 Lives
For Dog Lovers
Pantry
A safe holiday treat: Libby's 100% Pure Canned Pumpkin, 6-pack (4.8 stars). See it on Amazon
Amazon affiliate link: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Wear & display
Find animal art, shirts and mugs in our Etsy shop.
Shop
Browse all our animals and accessories at the From Paw to Tail store.
Get one true animal story in your inbox each week. Sign up at the bottom of this page.
Sources
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets: toxic foods and why
- NBC: Thanksgiving foods dangerous to dogs (AVMA guidance): turkey skin, stuffing and safe alternatives
More true animal stories: From Paw to Tail Blog
Cover photo: U.S. Army, SSG Alfred Batungbacal via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.