Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs and Cats

Thanksgiving Monday is almost here, and if your house is anything like ours, there's a dog parked under the table and a cat eyeing the counter before the turkey is even out of the oven. Sharing is part of the holiday, but a lot of the food on a Thanksgiving table isn't safe for pets. Here's a quick, friendly guide to what to keep off their plates this weekend, and what's okay to share.

Which Thanksgiving foods are dangerous for dogs and cats?

Turkey bones (cooked bones)

Turkey and other poultry bones are tempting, but cooked bones can splinter and damage your pet's mouth or digestive tract. They can also cause choking or a blockage in the gut, which sometimes needs surgery. Keep the carcass and any bones out of reach, including in the garbage. A tightly tied bag in a closed bin, or outside, is your best bet.

Turkey skin, fat and gravy

Rich, fatty table scraps, including turkey skin, fat trimmings, gravy and sauces, can be hard for pets to digest. Sometimes even a small amount can cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. It's kindest to skip the "just one bite" of skin.

Stuffing, onions, garlic and chives

Onions, garlic and chives belong to the allium family, and they can cause stomach upset and damage red blood cells in both dogs and cats. Cats are more sensitive, but dogs are at risk too, depending on how much they eat. These ingredients hide in a lot of holiday dishes: stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, casseroles and seasoned meat. If you're not sure what's in it, don't share it.

Grapes and raisins

Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney damage in dogs, so keep them away from your dog completely. Watch for raisins in stuffing, salads, butter tarts and other baked goods.

Pumpkin pie, chocolate and other desserts

Chocolate can be harmful to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the greater the risk, and baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most concentrated. Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free baked goods, candy and gum, can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs. Pies and other desserts can also contain ingredients that aren't safe for pets, so dessert is best kept for people.

Raw bread dough

If you're baking rolls from scratch, keep the rising dough well out of reach. Raw yeast dough can keep rising in the stomach, causing painful gas and bloating that can become an emergency. The yeast also produces alcohol as it ferments, so a pet that eats raw dough can also get alcohol poisoning.

Alcohol

Drinks and foods made with alcohol can cause vomiting, poor coordination, trouble breathing, tremors and, in serious cases, death. Keep an eye on glasses left on low tables, and on any dessert or sauce made with alcohol.

Can dogs and cats eat turkey? What's okay to share

If you'd like your pet to feel part of the celebration, there are a few simple options:

• Plain, boneless, skinless cooked turkey. A few small pieces of white meat, with no skin, gravy, butter or seasoning.
• Plain cooked carrots or green beans. Set a little aside before you add butter, salt, garlic or onions, and cut it into small pieces.

Keep treats small, especially for cats and small dogs, and remember that a new food can still upset some tummies. A treat made just for pets is always a safe choice too. It also helps to ask guests kindly not to slip anything under the table, so everyone is on the same page.

Thanksgiving pet food FAQ

Can dogs and cats eat turkey?

A little plain, boneless, skinless cooked turkey is generally safe for pets in small portions. Skip the skin, fat, gravy and bones. Fatty scraps can be hard for pets to digest and can cause pancreatitis, and bones can cause choking or a blockage in the gut.

Is stuffing bad for dogs and cats?

Yes, it's best not to share it. Stuffing often contains onions, garlic or chives, which can damage red blood cells in dogs and cats (cats are more sensitive). Some recipes also include raisins, which can lead to kidney damage in dogs.

Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?

It's best to save pie for people. Small pieces of plain pumpkin can be a healthy snack, but pumpkin pie can contain ingredients that are harmful to pets, and some desserts contain chocolate or the sweetener xylitol.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?

Holiday mashed potatoes usually aren't a good choice. They're often made with butter, milk or cream, and sometimes garlic or onion. Dairy can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset, rich foods can be hard for pets to digest, and garlic and onion are harmful to dogs and cats.

What should I do if my pet ate something dangerous?

Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic right away, and note what and how much your pet ate. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day. A consultation fee may apply.

What to do if your pet eats something dangerous

If you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn't, don't wait for signs to appear. Call your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic right away. If you can, note what they ate and roughly how much.

You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. It's open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A consultation fee may apply.

Watch for signs like vomiting, diarrhea, sudden changes in behaviour, low energy, pain or loss of appetite, and contact your vet if you notice any of them.

Hosting this weekend? See our calmer long-weekend guide for Canadian pet parents for quiet-room, walk and guest tips.

From all of us at Kimi's Paws, happy Thanksgiving to you and your furry family. If you're looking for something festive for your pet this weekend, you're always welcome to browse our shop.

Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.

General info, not veterinary advice.