Thanksgiving is all about appreciating the friends and family that we have. For many of us, that means being thankful for the pets in our lives; and a simple “thank you” in the form of food can go a long way for a dog or cat. An estimated 56% of Americans admitted to handing our pets some Thanksgiving morsels, but did you know that there are certain foods that aren’t good for your pet? It’s better to avoid doing it altogether and instead simply making sure you continue to nourish them with their own food (take a look at these raw dog food reviews if your pet seems to be losing interest in their current brand), but if you just can’t resist sharing…

Below is a list of food that you can get away with feeding to your dog or cat, as well as a list of food that shouldn’t be anywhere near them.

Pet-Friendly Thanksgiving Food

  • Turkey — Just make sure it’s cooked thoroughly, doesn’t have skin (which can lead to choking and digestive issues), and is bone-free.
  • Mashed potatoes — Be sure to make a bowl without all the milk and butter, as this can cause upset stomachs.
  • Cranberry sauce — These fruits are great for your dog or cat’s urinary tract and help to fight infection; just forgo the canned kind which is composed of too much sugar.
  • Macaroni and cheese — If this is a staple Thanksgiving dish at your place, go ahead and slip a little spoonful to your dog or cat as long as you know they aren’t lactose intolerant.
  • Vegetables — Plain green beans, carrots and corn (off the cob) are great dietary foods for your pet. However, make sure that they are fresh and not cooked.

Not Pet-Friendly Thanksgiving Food

  • Garlic & onions — Onions, garlic, mushrooms, sage, scallions, pepper and other foods that contain high amounts of sulfides are poisonous to dogs and can lead to anemia.
  • Alcohol — We all love to enjoy a beer or glass of wine with the family at Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean your dog should join in. Alcohol is toxic and can lead to death.
  • Nuts — Keep the bowl of nuts away from your dog at all costs. Walnuts and macadamia nuts in particular can lead to vomiting, tremors, fever, elevated heart rate or fatal shock.
  • Nutmeg — A common spice used in pumpkin and sweet potato pie, nutmeg causes seizures and other central nervous system problems and could cause death if too much is ingested.
  • Chocolate — Chocolate is a well-known ingredient to keep away from your pet. Be sure to remember into what dishes you’ve added chocolate so you can keep them out of reach.

Do you make a separate Thanksgiving dinner for your dog? Do you have any other foods that should be added to either list? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Canine College for room and board today if you have last minute travel plans on Thanksgiving. Remember that Canine College is closed on Thanksgiving day but will be accepting pets through Wednesday for boarding.

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