And we’d be remiss to not acknowledge our furry best friends on a day that is all about being thankful. While everyone’s Thanksgiving table is filled with different dishes, you should think once (or twice) about what to share with your favorite pup this holiday.
Foods Your Dog Can Have
If you feel inclined to give your dog a special taste of the holiday, and you should, here are some foods that are safe for him to consume.
- Vegetables: Veggies of most varieties are safe for dogs to eat – in fact, many veterinarians encourage dog owners to supplement their dog’s feed with vegetables. So don’t feel bad to toss Gus a green bean or two, but do be sure to be careful about how the vegetable is cooked. Grease or anything with dairy should be avoided if possible.
- Turkey: Dogs love protein and turkey is a fantastic treat for any dog without an allergy to turkey itself. You can happily carve off a slice for your best buddy, just remove any skin and avoid small pieces he can easily choke on.
There are lots of not-so-great ingredients for dogs that show up in our Thanksgiving meals. Most of them are okay in moderation, dependent on your dog’s tolerance, but a few should be avoided at all costs.
- Bones: Turkey legs and wishbones may be coveted by many, but they should never be shared with your dog. Bones of any kind may seem like a good choice for dogs, but they come with a host of risks. For one, dogs can easily break the bones, making them easier to choke on and potentially allowing for sharp ends to rip up their digestive organs.
- Chocolate: Pies and sweets are aplenty for Thanksgiving, but those made of chocolate are especially dangerous to dogs. Even in small quantities, chocolate can be toxic and cause vomiting, diarrhea, and more. Luckily, a veterinarian should be able to easily treat a dog that has ingested chocolate – it’s just better to not have to go through the experience at all.