As the name indicates, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for what we have; but, it is also known to be a time of feasting, and like all other holidays, a day to celebrate with our pets. This article will present some details to keep in mind for the Thanksgiving holiday.

What You Can and Cannot Give Your Pet

There are a variety of pet safe foods to share with your dog or cat during the holiday.

These include but aren’t limited to:

  • Green beans – if canned, preferably no added sodium
  • Turkey
  • Carrots
  • Plain Mashed Potatoes – no additives like chives or butter
  • Apples
  • Pumpkin – must be raw pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
  • Cranberry sauce – no added sugars

Aside from avoiding additives, there are additional foods or parts of whole foods which shouldn’t be given. These include:

  • Chicken or turkey bones
  • Stuffing
  • Casseroles – likely to have boxed ingredients which have not pet safe preservatives
  • Pie – this contains a lot of sugar
  • Onions
  • Yeast dough – cause problems including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating

Other Ways to Keep Your Home Pet Safe During the Holiday

  • Put the trash away where your pet can’t find it. Make sure the trash is in a secure can and covered. Keep it in a separate room or outside where your pets cannot get to anything inside like bones, plastic wrapping, and other harmful materials.
  • Be careful with decorative plants. Some plants can be toxic to pets. The ASPCA has lists of plants that are toxic to dogs and cats, but the safest route is simply to keep your pet away from all plants and table decorations.
  • Be mindful of visitors. Your pets may not be as excited about visitors as you are. If your pet is easily overwhelmed, keep them in a separate room with something comforting to them such as a favorite toy or blanket. If you anticipate the festivities to carry on for a long period, be sure to take your pet out for bathroom breaks (if necessary). On the other hand, if your pet is very comfortable around people and will be among your guests, be sure to watch the exits and entrances to ensure your pet doesn’t try to hitch a ride with one of your friends or visit the neighbors.
  • Plan ahead if you are going to travel. If you’ll be traveling for the holidays and will be boarding your pet while you’re gone, make sure they have all the necessary vaccines updated. Additionally, if your pet is on medications, make sure you have enough for the boarding facility or caretaker to give while you’re gone.

References

American Veterinary Medical Association (2024). ‘Thanksgiving Pet Safety’. Available at: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/thanksgiving-pet-safety