Turkey? Yes. Stuffing? No. The Thanksgiving foods your dog can and can’t eat

It’s almost time to feast on your favorite Thanksgiving foods with your loved ones, but be careful what you pass to your pet.

No traditional feast is complete without mashed potatoes, casseroles, pies, and of course, turkey. While some popular dishes are safe for dogs to eat, other table scraps can be very dangerous.

“Overindulging in the family feast can be unhealthy for humans, and even worse for pets. Fatty foods are hard for animals to digest,” the American Veterinary Medical Association says. “Poultry bones can damage your pet’s digestive tract. And holiday sweets can contain ingredients that are poisonous to pets.”

According to the American Kennel Club, here’s a list of foods your dog can and can’t eat:

Safe Thanksgiving foods for dogs

• Sweet potatoes and potatoes (without added ingredients like butter, brown sugar or marshmallows)

• Apples

• Turkey meat (without bones or skin)

• Green beans

• Plain peas

• Pumpkin and pure pumpkin puree (without spiced or sugary pie mix)

Unsafe Thanksgiving foods for dogs

• Turkey bones, skin and gravy

• Stuffing

• Casseroles

• Mashed potatoes

• Creamed peas

• Chocolate, cookies, pies, and sweets

• Alcoholic beverages

• Raisins and grapes

• Onions, scallions, and garlic

• Ham

• Yeast dough

• Fatty foods

• Foods containing spices

Keep an eye on the garbage

Even aside from the foods on the table, experts say it’s also to be mindful of your trash after your holiday meal is over.

“A turkey carcass sitting out on the table, or left in a trash container that is open or easily opened, could be deadly to your family pet,” the AVMA says. “Dispose of turkey carcasses, bones, and scraps—and anything used to wrap or tie the meat, such as strings, bags, and packaging—in a covered, tightly secured trash bag placed in a closed trash container outdoors.”

If you’re worried your pet has eaten something that could be unsafe, you should immediately call your veterinarian or a veterinary emergency clinic. You also can call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

This story was originally published November 22, 2023 at 9:00 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription