Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, great food, and gathering with loved ones, including our furry family members. While it’s natural to want to share a bite of holiday cheer with your dog or cat, many traditional Thanksgiving dishes can be harmful to pets. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend often brings a spike in emergency visits to veterinary clinics due to accidental food ingestion.
To help keep your celebration stress-free and your pets safe, our veterinary team at South Hyland Pet Hospital in Minneapolis has put together a guide on what holiday foods are unsafe, which ones are safe, and when it’s time to call the veterinarian.
Foods to Keep Far from the Bowl: Thanksgiving Dishes That Are Unsafe for Pets
Some Thanksgiving staples might seem harmless, but they can cause anything from mild digestive upset to life-threatening complications. Here are the most common holiday foods that should never be shared with pets.
1. Cooked Bones
It may seem traditional to offer your dog a turkey bone, but cooked bones are brittle. They can splinter easily and may cause choking, internal injury, or intestinal blockage.
2. Turkey Skin and Fatty Trimmings
Greasy skin, butter-soaked trimmings, and fatty bits might seem like a tasty treat, but high-fat foods can lead to pancreatitis. This condition can be painful and may cause vomiting, lethargy, or abdominal discomfort.
3. Stuffing and Casseroles
These dishes often include onions, garlic, butter, herbs, and spices. Onions and garlic are poisonous to pets because they destroy red blood cells, which can cause anemia. Even a small amount may cause problems, especially in smaller dogs and cats.
4. Gravy and Sauces
Gravy may seem like a harmless topping, but it is typically high in fat and salt. Some recipes also include onion or garlic powder, which is dangerous to pets. Even a spoonful can upset a pet’s stomach or aggravate existing health issues.
5. Grapes, Raisins, and Currants
These ingredients show up in many Thanksgiving dishes like salads, stuffings, or desserts. Even one grape or raisin can be toxic to dogs and may cause sudden kidney failure. The reaction is unpredictable, which is why they should be avoided completely.
6. Chocolate and Baked Goods
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Dark chocolate is especially dangerous. Many sugar-free desserts also contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and even liver failure in dogs.
7. Yeast Dough
If you’re baking rolls or pies, keep raw dough away from your pets. Yeast can continue to rise in the stomach, which may lead to painful bloating or even alcohol poisoning due to fermentation.
8. Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages
Even small amounts of alcohol or caffeine can be dangerous. Pets that ingest these drinks may experience vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, or seizures.
Tip from our team: If your pet eats anything on this list, contact our veterinary team in Minneapolis immediately or seek emergency care without delay.
Safe Thanksgiving Treats for Pets
Pets don’t have to be completely left out of the holiday fun. There are several safe alternatives that let them enjoy the day right alongside you. The key is to offer new foods in moderation, and never with seasoning, butter, or sugar.
Here are some pet-friendly choices:
- Plain, cooked turkey breast with no skin, bones, or seasoning
- Steamed or boiled vegetables like green beans, peas, carrots, or sweet potatoes
- A spoonful of plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
- Apple slices with no seeds or core
- Healthy, vet-approved treats from our online pharmacy
Even with these safe options, moderation is key. Large quantities of even pet-safe foods can still cause upset stomach or diarrhea, especially in pets with sensitive digestion or existing health issues.
What to Watch For: Signs Your Pet Ate Something Unsafe
Sometimes pets are sneaky or guests unknowingly offer table scraps. If your pet eats something potentially harmful, knowing the signs of food toxicity can help you act quickly.
Watch for:
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive drooling or lip licking
- Shaking, panting, or signs of discomfort
- Weakness, collapse, or lethargy
- Bloated or painful abdomen
- Loss of coordination or difficulty walking
If your pet shows any of these symptoms, call South Hyland Pet Hospital at (952) 884-1868 or request an appointment as soon as possible. Fast action can prevent more serious health problems and ease your pet’s discomfort.
Keep the Thanks, Skip the Scraps
Thanksgiving is one of the most joyful times of the year, and our pets are often at the center of the celebration. While it may be tempting to slide a few leftovers under the table, the safest way to include pets in the holiday fun is by sticking to foods that are safe and vet-approved.
Avoiding harmful ingredients and educating your family and guests are simple ways to protect your pet’s health. If you ever have questions about what your pet can safely eat, or if you’re concerned they may have eaten something they shouldn’t have, our veterinary team at South Hyland Pet Hospital is here to help.
Contact us anytime at (952) 884-1868 or schedule an appointment online. We’re thankful for your trust and for the opportunity to care for your beloved companions year-round.
