Thanksgiving foods your dog can share, and the ones to skip

This page is everyday holiday guidance drawn from the AVMA, the ASPCA and the AKC, linked below. It is not a substitute for advice from your vet, especially if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Short answer: A few bites of plain food are fine for most healthy dogs: boneless, skinless turkey with no seasoning, and plain green beans, sweet potato or pumpkin. Skip the bones, skin, gravy, stuffing and anything rich or fatty, and never share onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate or sugar-free sweets. Serve the safe bites in your dog's own bowl after dinner, not from the table.

Foods you can share (small bites, served plain)

The key word is plain. The same food can be safe or risky depending on what's cooked into it.

Turkey meat, boneless and skinless. The AVMA says plain, boneless, skinless turkey is generally safe for pets in small portions. Dr. Sara Ochoa, a vet quoted by the AKC, adds that it should be cooked without seasoning, which usually rules out the roasted holiday bird itself. The ASPCA says any meat you share should be fully cooked.
Plain green beans and peas. No butter or salt, says the AKC. Creamed peas are a no.
Plain sweet potato. Without brown sugar, marshmallows or maple syrup (AKC).
Plain potato. Boiled or baked. Mashed potatoes made with butter and cream, and sometimes onion or garlic, stay on your plate (AKC).
Plain pumpkin. Small pieces of pumpkin can be a healthy snack, says the AVMA. If it's canned, the AKC says to use pure pumpkin puree, not spiced pie mix.
Apple slices. Cut around the core and seeds (AKC).

The ASPCA suggests a "feast of their own": mix a few pieces of plain turkey, sweet potato and green beans into your dog's usual dinner, or stuff them into a puzzle toy to keep your dog busy while you eat.

Foods to keep off their plate

Turkey bones. The AVMA says bones can cause choking or a blockage in the gut. The ASPCA calls poultry bones a major choking hazard.
Turkey skin, fat, gravy and sauces. These are rich and hard for dogs to digest. The AVMA says that sometimes even a small amount can cause pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas.
Stuffing and casseroles. They often hide onion, garlic and butter (AKC).
Ham and other fatty foods (AKC).
Pies, cookies and other desserts (AVMA, AKC).
Raw or undercooked turkey and raw batter with eggs, which may carry salmonella (ASPCA).

Foods that are toxic to dogs

Onions, garlic and scallions. Common in stuffing, gravy and sides, and toxic to pets (ASPCA, AKC).
Grapes and raisins. Both are toxic to dogs (AVMA, AKC). Check stuffing and salads for raisins before you share.
Chocolate. The ASPCA lists vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures among the signs.
Xylitol. This sweetener is in some sugar-free baked goods and gum. The AVMA says it can be deadly for dogs.
Raw yeast dough. It can expand in the stomach and make alcohol as it rises (ASPCA).
Alcohol (AKC).
Salty stock and gravy. The ASPCA warns that bouillon cubes are very high in sodium.

Make the day easier for your dog

Tell guests the rule. The AKC suggests asking guests, and kids especially, to check with you before they share any food.
Give treats after dinner, in the bowl. The AKC's article on begging says it's when you give food, not what you give, that teaches begging.
Take the trash out. The AVMA says to put the turkey carcass, bones and scraps in a tied bag inside a closed bin outdoors or behind a closed door. The ASPCA suggests emptying the kitchen trash during the day.
Offer a quiet room. If your dog gets nervous with visitors, the AVMA suggests a separate room or crate with a favorite toy.
Watch the door. With guests coming and going, keep an eye on your dog and make sure their ID and microchip details are current (AVMA).
Keep guests' bags up high. The ASPCA notes that visitors may carry medicine your dog could find.

If your dog eats something they shouldn't

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right away. You can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply. The AVMA lists sudden behavior changes, pain, vomiting and diarrhea as signs something may be wrong.

Sources

Want the next calm guide?

New pieces land in the newsletter. Subscribe on the homepage.