Thanksgiving can be a whirlwind. There’s so many things to think about, especially if you’re hosting. Our pets can get lost in the shuffle and on Thanksgiving that could pose some serious risks. 

There are many thanksgiving foods that our furry friends (bot dogs and cats) think would be delicious and family or friends, especially young ones, could think that giving your pet what they want is just being in the holiday spirit! The more you as an owner know what is and isn’t safe for your pet to eat, the better you can help others to keep your pets safe! Here are some quick tips to help! 

Safe & Unsafe Foods 

Unsafe foods: 

• Turkey skin
• Turkey Bones
• Gravy
• Sugar
• Fat Trimmings
• Corn on the Cob
• Garlic & Onion
• Nutmeg
• Raisins & Grapes
  

Safe foods: 

• White turkey meat
• Sweet Potatoes (plain, raw or cooked)
• Mashed Potatoes (before butter & milk are added)
• Apple Slices (just make sure to get rid of seeds!)
• Pumpkin (plain-link to dog treat recipe here)
• Green Beans (plain) 

Provide Treats for others to give pets! 

Set boundaries with what human food (if any) guests are allowed to give pets.  Put out treats for your dog or cat and let guests know they can give them to pets…maybe limit the number. Haha That way, they won’t be tempted to offer scraps of human food that might not be safe for your pet to eat. 

Check out our DIY Tuna Cat Treats (dogs enjoy too) and our Paw-mpkin Dog Treats for a fun, healthy treat during Thanksgiving!

Move Pets to another room if needed

Depending on behavior and what your pet can normally manage, it might be best at different times to put your pets up, especially at meal time. If it’s going to be a stressful situation they would rather be in their crates or another room anyway, so don’t feel bad about them having to leave the party! 

Keep fragile objects away! 

Thanksgiving is often a time when the china and other fragile objects are brought out. Be mindful of your furry friends when you set these things out–for your sake and theirs! 

Make it fun!

Make some lasting memories with your furry and human loved ones this Thanksgiving! Take photos, make cookies and dog treats and share appropriate thanksgiving food! The more precautions you take, the more you can relax on the holiday and just take some time to be grateful for what you have!