What Can Dogs Eat on Thanksgiving? Safe Holiday Foods Your Pup Will Love

As you take a whiff of the holiday turkey roasting away alongside the warmth of not just the oven but the laughter of family and friends, there is no denying that it is the time to create some special memories that only a Thanksgiving holiday brings us all. Coming together with family, friends, and an exquisite spread on the dining table, we give thanks and reflect on the year of abundance. This holiday of togetherness is even more special when our beloved pup joins the party.

Although not all foods that you have on your Thanksgiving spread are ideal for your dogs, we have created this guide to show you precisely what to and what not to share with your furry companion. At Happytail Puppies, our primary focus is to keep your four-legged companion healthy, happy, and make them a part of picture-perfect family moments, especially on this Thanksgiving. So, let us find out what can dogs eat on Thanksgiving.

Quick Take: What Dogs Can Eat on Thanksgiving (At a Glance)

If you're pondering whether to include your pup at Thanksgiving dinner, the answer is absolutely YES. We will now take a quick glance at the type of foods that earn the top spot on your dog's plate and which one does not.

Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs

It is safe for your pup to enjoy a couple of Thanksgiving favorites when they are served in the right manner. For instance, if you have a small dog breed like a Miniature Bernedoodle, then they can surely join the feast without any risk of dangers with our vet-approved and breeder-backed foods that turn your pup's plate safe and special.

- Plain Turkey: It is an ideal source of lean protein you can offer your pup. However, ensure to serve it boneless, skinless, and absolutely unseasoned.

- Green Beans: These are low in calories and rich in fiber content, as they promote healthier digestion. You can serve them steamed or plain without salt or butter.

- Sweet Potatoes: It is enriched in vitamins A and C. These essential vitamins make them a tasty, natural side. Offer them mashed or plain without any spices or sugar.

- Pumpkin Purée: It is the best food that aids in your pup's digestion, adding a touch of festive flavor. You can choose 100% pure pumpkin and not just a pie filling.

When you are offering your pup the Thanksgiving treat, ensure to follow moderation, as even foods deemed safe can upset their stomach when given in excess. Ensure to serve these treats either unsalted, plain, or unseasoned. This is the same way as you would have done for creating Christmas Dog Treats with love and care. It is in this manner that your dog would enjoy the soothing flavors of the seasons without posing as a threat.

Foods Dogs Should Avoid Completely

It is extremely tempting to share your Thanksgiving dishes with your furry companion; however, not everything that you have in your spread is safe. For instance, if you have a Teacup Toy Maltese in your home, they are prone to getting impacted by ingredients that are typically used in holiday recipes that disrupt their digestive system. The toxic ingredients can seriously impact your pup's digestive tract, leading to stomach upset. Here are a few foods that your pup should altogether avoid: 

- Onions and garlic: These foods cause a lot of damage to red blood cells, leading to severe anemia.

- Stuffing: This is often mixed with garlic, salt, onion, or other heavy seasonings that are toxic to dogs.

- Pie filling: These are loaded with nutmeg and sugar, which irritates the stomach and the nervous system of the dogs.

- Chocolate: A highly toxic element, even when given in small amounts. It impacts their heart and central nervous system.

- Alcohol: It makes them disoriented, vomit, and have life-threatening reactions.

It is extremely essential to safeguard your pup's health with love by giving them safe, simple foods. For more details, you can read our Holiday Gift Guide to explore the healthiest or thoughtful ways to treat your pup this Thanksgiving season. 

The Safe Plate: What to Serve Your Dog This Thanksgiving

It is easier to build a safe, tasty Thanksgiving platter for your pup to enjoy beside your family. So leaving your pup out of the celebration is out of the question!

Protein Options — Turkey Done Right

Not only is turkey the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving dinner, but it can, of course, be enjoyed safely by your pup, too. Even a small Teacup Shihpoo can appreciate a small, skinless, and boneless turkey without seasoning, grease, oil, and certainly no gravy. Never provide cooked bones as they splinter too easily, and can cause choking or internal injury.

Being a pup owner, it becomes your responsibility to control their portion sizes. This is what you need to follow: 

- Small breeds: 1–2 ounces
- Medium breeds: 3–4 ounces
- Large breeds: up to 6 ounces

Thanksgiving should be about moderation, and it should be equally joyful for pups, which is why these servings are firmly suggested. If done correctly, it is a terrific way to share and celebrate the Thanksgiving spirit. If you'd like more information, please refer to our Feeding Guide for Small vs. Large Breeds.

Veggies That Add a Healthy Crunch

Dogs should also have some of the colorful goodness of the Thanksgiving platter. Steamed carrots, peas, and green beans as an addition to your dog's meal help with digestion as they promote the dog's immune system and keep the coat shiny. Most importantly, these additions have a digestion-supporting balance of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Such steamed vegetables are also the perfect choice for aging dogs, especially when you follow Senior Dog Care and Nutrition. These offers balanced fibers and essential nutrients that are gentle on older dogs' stomachs. You should serve the vegetables in their healthy form, that is, plain without seasoning, butter, or salt. Using vegetables in different forms and textures, lightly steamed and combined with other ingredients, can offer dogs an authentic side dish with all the joy without any danger.

Dog-Safe Sides & Treat Alternatives

Most side dishes for Thanksgiving are sweet or quite heavy, and this is the time to have some made for your pup. Replace sweetened sides with Sweet potato bites or pumpkin-mashed meat. These are sweet, beta-carotene-rich, and very gentle for the stomachs of dogs.

Omit pie fillings and candied yams that have added sugar or contain nutmeg. Instead, bake small cubes of plain sweet potatoes that are lightly seasoned, or else add pumpkin puree to the sweet potatoes in the bowl. These bites can even be used as training rewards or enrichment snacks to keep your pup happily busy while the rest of the family enjoys the feast.

Foods to Keep Off Your Pup’s Plate

Some ingredients that are popular during the holiday season can be very harmful to your dog. Understanding what ingredients could be dangerous and why can help to avoid house tragedies.

Common Thanksgiving Ingredients That Are Toxic

The dishes offered on the spread during Thanksgiving are mouthwatering and delicious. However, for dogs, they pose a serious danger, even life-threatening. There are a couple of common ingredients that are mainly found across holiday recipes that appear safe; however, they can spiral into serious illness when offered to your dog, even in small amounts. Here are a few toxic Thanksgiving ingredients that you should watch out for: 

- Onions and Garlic: It causes serious damage to your pup's red blood cells, causing anemia. They are commonly hidden in casseroles, gravies, and stuffings.

- Grapes and Raisins: These ingredients cause sudden kidney failure even if they are given in smaller portions. Ensure to refrain from sharing your fruit salads, breads, or desserts that contain them.

- Chocolate: It is rich in caffeine and theobromine, which proves highly toxic to dogs, causing them tremors, vomiting, or even worse.

- Alcohol: Even if your pup is accidentally given small sips, it causes disorientation, vomiting, and a drastic fall in blood sugar levels.

- Nutmeg: This ingredient is typically found in spicy dishes or pies, triggering tremors or seizures in dogs.

At Happytail Puppies, our breeders and vets often witness post-holiday tummy issues in dogs caused by these hidden dangers. A prompt double-check right before sharing your plate can keep your pup happy, healthy, and safe all season.

Hidden Dangers in Table Scraps

Table scraps or leftovers may appear harmless in your eyes; however, they are rich in hidden ingredients that can cause serious stomach upset for your dog, making them sick. Turkey skin, bones, fat trimmings, rich gravies, oil, butter, and others can cause serious choking, pancreatitis, or severe intestinal blockage. Even a few small bites can cause serious discomfort or an emergency vet visit.

The cautions you followed for your pup during holidays, including dogs and Halloween or Christmas, apply even during Thanksgiving. The festive food might appear mouthwatering, but it proves fatal to dogs. Instead of giving your pup these table scraps, try preparing a dog-safe platter enriched with plain turkey, pumpkin, or veggies. Saying no to your dog for unsafe scraps shows your responsibility and is a sign of love that keeps your pup healthy, ensuring that you share several joyful holidays together.

Breeder & Vet-Approved Tips for a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving

All you need is a bit of planning to help your pup join your Thanksgiving celebrations in a healthy way. So, here are a couple of expert tips we share from Happytail Puppies' vets and breeders.

Portion Control & Puppy-Safe Serving Sizes

A couple of spoonfuls works wonders for your pup's stomach, which is much smaller than you think. As you would have guessed, dogs need smaller portions compared to humans. So, use this guide we have in store for you:

- Small dogs (under 20 lbs): 1–2 tablespoons per safe food

- Medium dogs (20–50 lbs): 2–4 tablespoons

- Large dogs (50+ lbs): 4–6 tablespoons

Create a Pup-Friendly Feast Together

Other than the food, Thanksgiving is also about spending time with family. Inclusion of your dog enhances the experience. Prepare a doggy bowl with chopped turkey, pumpkin mash with green beans, and sweet potato chunks. It’s festive, healthy, and safe for dogs.  

Make this a family-oriented exercise. Allow them to scoop, pour, and mix the special food for your dog. This is a fantastic way for them to learn about empathy and the joy of taking care of others. The sight of the dog feasting will remind the people at the table of the essence of Thanksgiving, filled with family love and appreciation.

When to Call the Vet

- Vomiting or diarrhea after eating and lasting for more than a few hours could point to food poisoning or an upset gastrointestinal system.  

- Unusual lethargy or weakness after consuming abundant, rich Thanksgiving foods is also an indicator that something is wrong.  

- Hard and swollen abdominal areas accompanied by discomfort and bloating are possible indications of bloat, one of the most serious emergency conditions.  

- Withdrawal, like a loss of social contact and communication, is one of the most noticeable signs of a dog being depressed.  

- Inability to balance and properly coordinate after eating or drinking something like alcohol or chocolate indicates a possible toxic ingestion.

Responsible Puppy Ownership During the Holidays

With holidays come challenges; here’s how to keep your puppy safe, soothed, and happy while celebrating.

Keeping Your Puppy Calm Around Guests

New experiences that come with Thanksgiving can be overly stimulating for young puppies. The assortment of sounds and faces, alongside excessive laughter, can become a bombardment of confusion for them. To avoid your pup feeling anxious, establish a safe, calming location away from the action. Add to the new space a soothing bed with a matching soft blanket and a few stimulating and soothing toys to provide a sense of safety.

Children, and for that matter, even adults, should be guided on how to slowly say ‘hello’ to their puppy, and even with all the kindness, the pup should be allowed some space. The interactions throughout the day should be intentionally kept brief, as it will build and reinforce their relaxed submission to what will normally be a stressful situation. For more ideas on this subject, check our guide on "Puppy Socialization Tips."

Travel & Boarding Safety for Thanksgiving Trips

A bit of preparation and patience is essential when taking a trip with a puppy and visiting relatives or resting during a small holiday. Since dogs rely on their daily schedule and routine, they are far easier to deal with and much happier when their environment is consistent. Therefore, it is essential to bring along their regular food, their favorite toy, and a nice, comfy blanket so that they are reminded of home.

Let your pup get used to a crate or a car seat for a few days if this is the first time your dog is taking a trip. For long trips where your puppy will have to be boarded, make sure to select a facility that is clean and has attentive caregivers who follow vaccination proof policies. Employees should be told of the dog and puppy’s routine, including the assigned feeding time, as well as some personal belongings, to help them adjust faster.

There is more to traveling than the physical act of getting from location A to location B. Travel means your puppy feels secure at all times and in all places. For more tips from breeders and vets, feel free to refer to this guide on Traveling with Your Puppy.

Giving Thanks for a Healthy Start — Why Choosing the Right Breeder Matters

Thanksgiving doesn’t start just with the lavish feast; it begins with a perfectly socialized and healthy puppy who has been given the finest start in life. At HappyTail, we only associate with breeders who treat every puppy with the love and compassion that is in accordance with the breed standard.

We cherish the opportunity that life brings, which is why we extend a 10-year health guarantee along with a lifelong wellness promise, which showcases our dedication towards the well-being of the pup, as that means non-stop happy tail wags along with family moments and naps.

With HappyTail, you don’t just get a puppy; you get a friend who will cherish and love you forever and will be there for every Thanksgiving and the love that follows.

A Thanksgiving Full of Wags and Gratitude 

Thanksgiving is the best time to share love, togetherness, and an exquisite feast with your family, as well as your pup. Knowing the better ways to serve foods and ones to avoid can ensure that your pup enjoys every moment without falling ill. So what is the best part? Finding your pup filled with tail-wagging joy as they savor their special meal at your side.

At Happytail Puppies, we understand that dogs mean more than pets to you, as they are a part of your family. So, this Thanksgiving, celebrate it as a responsible pet owner giving thanks for the joys your pup brings and start planning for the feast together next year. So, what are you waiting for? Discover more puppy care tips to make every holiday paw-filled with joy and love!

FAQs 

Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Yes—small portions of cooked turkey should be served plain, skinless, and boneless, plus no seasoning, gravy, or cooked bones of any kind.

What vegetables can dogs eat during Thanksgiving dinner?

Dogs can enjoy unseasoned, steamed vegetables such as green beans, carrots, peas, and plain pumpkin. These should be served without butter and salt.

Is pumpkin pie safe for dogs?

No, while plain pumpkin is healthy, the filling of a pie, especially the crust, containing sugar, various spices, and even the crust, can be difficult for a dog to handle.

How much Thanksgiving food can I safely share with my puppy?

Just a few spoonfuls! Smaller dogs like Chihuahuas will require less than the big dog breeds, so use size to determine portions for each to reduce the risk of tummy troubles.

What should I do if my dog eats something toxic on Thanksgiving?

It can be something as simple as staying calm, or keeping a watchful eye for lethargy and vomiting, and calling a vet as soon as possible. Acting fast will save your dog.

Can I make a special Thanksgiving meal just for my dog?

Of course! A safe, delicious, and festive dog meal would be plain turkey blended with green beans and pumpkin puree, and this can be served with the rest of the family.