What Thanksgiving Foods Are Safe for Dogs? A Vet Expert Shares What Holiday Foods Pets Can Eat

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but how much of the holiday meal can pets enjoy?

PEOPLE spoke with dr. Ayom Alt, veterinarian and medical director of VCA Broadway Animal Hospital and Pet Center in Boulder, Colorado, on which Thanksgiving foods are safe for pets and which parts of the meal are dangerous.

dr. Alt says that every Thanksgiving her animal hospital sees “an increase in appointments specifically for pets that have eaten things they shouldn’t have,” so spreading accurate information is important for a veterinarian.

“The biggest dangers are foods that are either toxic to pets, such as onions and garlic, foods that can cause gastrointestinal upset because they are too rich, or foods that are very different from a pet’s normal diet. If you are eating a Thanksgiving-style dinner, make sure that your guests know which ingredients might be toxic to pets,” she says of the Thanksgiving staples that bring pets to the vet for the holidays.

Here are the Thanksgiving foods you can bring through TSA

Read on to find out which Thanksgiving foods are safe to feed pets and what holiday hazards pet owners should watch out for as they celebrate on November 28th.

Which Thanksgiving foods are safe to feed pets?

The list of Thanksgiving foods that are non-toxic and safe for pets is short. Dr. Alt recommends feeding only small amounts of lean, skinless turkey or gravy from the Thanksgiving table. Dogs can also enjoy raw carrots, green beans and apples from the kitchen without fear of ill effects.

“Common Thanksgiving foods like turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes probably seem safe (and are often common ingredients in pet food), but since they’re usually prepared with spices (onions, garlic) and large quantities of cream and butter, can cause toxicity or gastrointestinal disturbances,” explains the veterinarian.

If you want to prepare your own plate for your pet on Thanksgiving, Dr. Alt recommends: “cooked, unseasoned turkey, green beans, and sweet potatoes, with a piece of unseasoned canned pumpkin for dessert.”

Photo of a dog eating a raw carrot.

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What are the health benefits of pet-safe Thanksgiving food?

According to dr. Altu, lean, unseasoned turkey is a good source of protein, while cooked and unseasoned pumpkin or sweet potato contain “soluble fiber that can help with mild constipation and diarrhea and acts as a prebiotic to help maintain healthy gut bacteria.”

“Unseasoned green beans are nutritious and low in calories,” she adds.

Which Thanksgiving foods are dangerous for pets?

“Onions and garlic can cause hemolytic anemia in cats and dogs. We may not see symptoms until there is already serious damage,” says Dr. Alt, so pets should not be given Thanksgiving food that contains those ingredients.

Similarly, meat boards should be kept away from pets because appetizers often contain grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts, “which are extremely toxic to cats and dogs, even in very small amounts.”

While it may be tempting to give your pet a piece of bird for Thanksgiving, Dr. Alt knows that even a small amount of spicy turkey “can cause gastrointestinal upset or worse: pancreatitis, which can be potentially life-threatening.” Additionally, cooked turkey bones can crack and potentially cause intestinal injury or obstruction.

dr. Alt also lists raw dough, alcoholic beverages, chocolate and pumpkin pie as other Thanksgiving items that can upset pets.

Photo of a person feeding a piece of apple to his dog.

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What should a pet parent do if their pet eats toxic food?

“Don’t wait until your pet shows symptoms. Depending on what food your pet is consuming, seeking veterinary care right away can often lead to a much better outcome.” Ph.D. Alt warns.

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“I recommend calling poison control (such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline) right away — they can advise you if your situation is an emergency or can be managed at home. If veterinary care is recommended, you can also contact your vet directly with recommended treatments for your specific situation,” she adds.

What other Thanksgiving dangers should pet owners watch out for?

“We all love a table setting with cornucopias and flowers, but some flowers are poisonous. Even a few grains of true lily pollen that stick to a cat’s fur can be ingested during grooming and can result in irreversible kidney failure,” says Dr. Alt.

The vet notes that it’s common for pets to be stressed during the holidays with so much activity and change, which can lead to escape attempts. To help cats and dogs stay calm during Thanksgiving, offer them a private, comfortable space in the house to retreat to if things get too overwhelming.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education