The day is drawing closer when families and friends all across the country will be gathering around the table sharing what they’re thankful for, good food, and maybe a backyard football game or two. Thanksgiving Day conjures up memories for everyone, and PetsWeekly wants to make sure that this holiday will be filled with good memories for you and your loved ones – including your pets.
Fido and Fluffy will undoubtedly be staring at you from across the room (or from your feet or above your shoulder depending on what passes for manners in your house), begging you for a tasty morsel from the Thanksgiving smorgasbord gracing your table, and we’ve made a handy chart as a guide on what’s good, and what’s not. (Click here for a printer friendly version.)
Please keep in mind as you read over this list that even foods deemed as “good” for your pets should only be fed to them in moderation. Overloading their bodies with foods that their tummies aren’t used to could end your holiday on a very sour note.
Common Thanksgiving Foods Your Pets Can (and Can’t) Enjoy
|
Food
|
Cats
|
Dogs
|
Notes |
|
Turkey |
YES |
YES |
No bones (due to possible splintering), and stick to the white meat. |
|
Stuffing |
NO |
NO |
Stuffing recipes vary greatly, but most contain onions or onion powder, which are highly toxic for pets. |
|
Potatoes |
YES |
YES |
Fully cooked, potatoes are safe. Raw potatoes are toxic. Mind the butter and salt! |
|
Sweet Potatoes |
YES |
YES |
Good for your pets unless they are loaded with sugar and/or butter. |
|
Carrots |
YES |
YES |
Good for your pets sans butter and salt, and not from a can. |
|
Green Beans |
YES |
YES |
Same as carrots. |
|
Corn |
NO |
NO |
Corn is not easily digested and may cause blockages. Best to avoid. |
|
Cranberry Sauce |
NO |
NO |
While cranberries are not harmful to your pets, cranberry sauce may be depending on levels of sugar and preservatives. |
|
Onions & Garlic |
NO |
NO |
Both of these are very toxic to cats and dogs. Take care that any of the tidbits you give them do not include these ingredients. |
|
Gravy |
NO |
NO |
Due to fat content and the potential appearance of onions and/or garlic, we advise leaving out the gravy. |
|
Pie |
NO |
NO |
High in sugar and fat content, pie definitely a no-no. Ingredients such as pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and apple slices (minus the seeds) ARE good for your pets. |
While your pets could go without table scraps, we know they’re part of your family too, and you enjoy including them in your traditions as much as possible.
We hope this chart will help keep everyone safe and happy over the holiday.
If you’d rather not worry about giving them the wrong food, you could make them their very own Thanksgiving treats with this recipe for Pumpkin Peanut Butter Wafers. You could use turkey, leaf, or other fall-themed cookie cutters to make them even more special!