Thanksgiving Foods Pets Should Avoid

Dangerous Thanksgiving foods for pets

Food is typically the star of the Thanksgiving show, with tables heavily laden with decadent dishes. The aromatic smells alone are likely to tempt your pet. However, many holiday menu items are dangerous for your furry pal. Thanksgiving foods pets should avoid include:

• Bones — Turkey bones become brittle after cooking and can splinter easily. If your pet swallows a splintered bone, they could choke or suffer internal injuries, such as a blockage or punctured intestine.
• High-fat foods — Fatty foods, such as rich sauces, turkey skin, and buttery mashed potatoes, can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) upset in pets and may trigger pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition.
• Onions and garlic — Onions and garlic are commonly used to season Thanksgiving side dishes, but these members of the Allium family can cause injury to your pet’s red blood cells, leading to anemia.
• Grapes and raisins — Some stuffing recipes call for grapes or raisins, which can lead to kidney failure in dogs.
• Bread dough — Yeast dough can expand in your pet’s stomach, leading to bloating and discomfort. In addition, rising dough produces alcohol, which can result in alcohol poisoning in pets. Signs include vomiting, disorientation and, potentially, respiratory failure.
• Alcohol — Many people enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine during the Thanksgiving festivities, but even a small amount can be dangerous for pets. Alcohol affects pets much more severely than humans, leading to vomiting, difficulty breathing, tremors, and seizures.
• Chocolate — A popular ingredient in pies, cakes, and cookies, chocolate is always on the list of Thanksgiving foods pets should avoid. The sweet treat contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous.
• Xylitol — This artificial sweetener, also sometimes called “birch sugar,  found in sugar-free desserts, gum, and some peanut butter, is highly toxic to pets. Ingesting xylitol can cause blood sugar to drop rapidly, leading to seizures, liver failure, and possibly death.
• Macadamia nuts — Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs and can lead to weakness, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia.

Tips to keep your pet safe from Thanksgiving foods

Your holiday meal will likely be packed full of Thanksgiving foods pets should avoid, but the following tips will help keep your four-legged friend safe without sacrificing the festivities.

• Create a pet-free kitchen zone — Thanksgiving meal preparation can be chaotic, and pets underfoot in the kitchen may quickly gobble up a dropped ingredient. While you’re cooking, block off kitchen access with baby gates. If your pet can successfully evade these measures, consider confining them to a bedroom or crate during meal prep.
• Educate your guests — Ensure that your guests, especially children, know what foods are dangerous for pets. Ask them not to share their food with your four-legged friend, no matter how much they beg and plead.
• Patrol the room — Regularly patrol for unattended plates and cups, which your pet may take advantage of and steal a quick bite or sip.
• Keep dangerous foods off low tables — Curious pets are adept at counter surfing or sneaking food from low tables. Clear all counters and tables of food when you can’t supervise, and ensure leftover food is picked up and stored safely.
• Secure trash bins — Thanksgiving leftovers and food waste often end up in the trash, but what smells like garbage to you may seem like a feast to your pet. Turkey bones, plastic wrap, and other dangerous food scraps can pose a serious risk if your pet gets in the trash. Use a trash can with a secure, locking lid to prevent your pet from dumpster diving, and place trash bins in off-limits areas, such as behind closed doors or inside cabinets. In addition, take the trash out frequently during meal prep and dinner to avoid buildup that may tempt your pet.
• Offer pet-safe treats — Provide safe Turkey Day treat alternatives so your pet doesn’t feel left out. Suggestions include:
  • Plain, cooked white turkey meat with no bones, skin, or seasoning
  • Plain green beans, carrots, and pumpkin
  • A small amount of plain sweet potatoes
  • Frozen blueberries

Thanksgiving foods pets should avoid are in abundance on Turkey Day, but these tips should help keep your four-legged friend safe. However, if your pet does ingest something harmful during the Thanksgiving celebration, contact your AAHA-accredited veterinarian as soon as possible.

This article was originally published by the AAHA November 4th, 2024 
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