Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and—of course—delicious food.
While we indulge in rich feasts, it’s important to remember that many of the foods we love can be harmful or even toxic to our pets. As a veterinary urgent care provider, we see an increase in pet emergencies around the holidays due to unsafe food choices. To ensure your pets stay happy and healthy during this festive season, here’s a rundown of Thanksgiving foods you should avoid sharing with your furry friends.
1. Turkey Skin and Bones
Turkey is often the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving meal, but it comes with potential dangers for your pets. The skin is high in fat, which can lead to gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, or even more serious conditions like bloat in dogs. Additionally, turkey bones—especially cooked ones—can splinter easily, causing choking or internal injuries. Always keep turkey bones and skin away from your pets.
2. Stuffing (Especially with Onions and Garlic)
Stuffing is a Thanksgiving staple, but it often contains ingredients that are toxic to pets, such as onions and garlic. Both onions and garlic (in all forms, raw, cooked, or powdered) can cause damage to your pet’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Even small amounts can be harmful, so it’s best to avoid offering stuffing to your dog or cat entirely.
3. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
While plain mashed potatoes are not toxic to pets, the butter, cream, and other additives often found in mashed potatoes can upset their stomachs. Gravy, on the other hand, can contain onion or garlic powder, as well as excessive amounts of salt, all of which are harmful to pets. Rich, fatty foods like mashed potatoes with gravy can also lead to pancreatitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
4. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries themselves are not toxic to pets, but cranberry sauce is often laden with sugar and can contain other ingredients, like raisins (which are toxic to dogs) or xylitol (a sugar substitute that is dangerous for both dogs and cats). Even small amounts of sugar can cause stomach upset or contribute to obesity, so it's best to keep the cranberry sauce off your pet’s plate.
5. Pumpkin Pie
While plain pumpkin is a healthy treat for pets in moderation, pumpkin pie is not. The spices commonly used in pumpkin pie—such as nutmeg—are toxic to dogs and cats. Nutmeg contains a compound called myristicin, which can cause symptoms like disorientation, increased heart rate, and even seizures in pets. In addition, the sugar, dairy, and other ingredients in pumpkin pie can lead to stomach issues.
6. Alcohol
It’s tempting to include your pet in the festivities, but alcohol is never safe for animals. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause serious problems for pets, including vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tremors, and even coma or death in severe cases. Keep all alcoholic beverages out of reach of pets and be mindful of open containers.
7. Chocolate and Sweets
While chocolate is always a danger to pets, it’s worth mentioning again around Thanksgiving when there’s an abundance of sugary treats. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats, and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even death in extreme cases. Sweets containing xylitol, such as sugar-free candies and gum, are also extremely dangerous for pets and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to seizures and liver failure.
8. Nuts (Especially Walnuts and Macadamia Nuts)
Nuts, especially macadamia nuts and walnuts, are toxic to dogs. Even small quantities can lead to symptoms like weakness, tremors, and vomiting. Nuts are also high in fat, which can cause stomach upset and lead to more serious conditions like pancreatitis.
9. Sweet Potatoes (with Marshmallows or Butter)
Sweet potatoes themselves are generally safe for dogs, but when they're prepared with marshmallows, butter, or brown sugar, they become a high-sugar, high-fat treat that can cause gastrointestinal upset and weight gain. In some cases, consuming large quantities of sugar or fat can lead to pancreatitis.
10. Raw Dough
It’s tempting to let your pet sample a little bit of dough while you’re baking, but raw dough (including bread dough and cookie dough) can be dangerous. The yeast in raw dough can rise in your pet’s stomach, causing painful bloating and potentially dangerous gas buildup. In addition, raw dough contains alcohol (from the fermentation process), which is toxic to pets. If ingested, it can lead to alcohol poisoning and significant health issues.
What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Unsafe
If your pet accidentally ingests any of these foods, it’s important to act quickly. Keep the contact information for your veterinarian or your local animal emergency clinic on hand, and call for guidance. If you know your pet has ingested something toxic, don’t wait for symptoms to appear—prompt treatment is crucial to preventing serious complications.
Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving for Your Pet
Keep the food out of reach: It’s easy to drop scraps or allow pets to sneak a bite while you’re busy. Make sure your pet is in a safe, pet-proofed area while you’re eating or preparing food.
Set boundaries: Let family and friends know that feeding pets from the dinner table is off-limits. Even a well-meaning gesture can have unintended consequences for your pet’s health.
Prepare pet-friendly treats: If you’d like to include your pet in the festivities, consider preparing special, pet-safe treats. Pumpkin, carrots, and plain turkey (without seasoning) can be great options.
Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the love and companionship of our pets. By keeping them safe from harmful foods, you can ensure that they enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season alongside the rest of the family.
If you have any concerns or questions about your pet’s health this Thanksgiving, don’t hesitate to reach out to our urgent care team. We're here to help! Stay safe and enjoy the festivities with your furry friends!
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