Thanksgiving is almost here, but how much of the holiday meal can pets enjoy?
PEOPLE spoke with Dr. Aya Alt, a veterinarian and the medical director of VCA Broadway Animal Hospital and Pet Center in Boulder, Colorado, about what Thanksgiving foods are safe for pets and which parts of the meal are dangerous.
Dr. Alt says each Thanksgiving, her animal hospital sees an “increase in appointments specifically for pets who have eaten things they shouldn’t have,” so spreading the correct information is important to the veterinarian.
“The biggest dangers are foods that are either toxic to pets, such as onions and garlic, foods that can cause gastrointestinal upset because they are too rich, or foods that are very different from the pet’s usual diet. If you’re having a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner, make sure your guests know which ingredients may be toxic to pets,” she says about the Thanksgiving staples that bring pets to the vet on the holiday.
Read on to learn what Thanksgiving foods are safe to feed pets and what holiday hazards pet owners should look out for while celebrating on Nov. 28.
What Thanksgiving foods are safe to feed pets?
The list of Thanksgiving foods that are non-toxic and safe for pets to consume is short. Dr. Alt recommends only feeding small amounts of lean-cooked turkey without skin or gravy from the Thanksgiving table. Dogs can also enjoy raw carrots, green beans, and apples from the kitchen without fear of adverse effects.
“Common Thanksgiving foods like turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes likely seem safe (and are often common ingredients in pet foods), but since they’re usually prepared with seasonings (onions, garlic) and large amounts of cream and butter, they can cause toxicity or gastrointestinal upset,” the veterinarian explains.
If you want to make your pet their own plate on Thanksgiving, Dr. Alt recommends: “cooked, unseasoned turkey, green beans and sweet potato, with a dollop of canned, spice-free pumpkin for dessert.”
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What are the health benefits of pet-safe Thanksgiving foods?
According to Dr. Alt, lean, unseasoned turkey is a good source of protein, while cooked and unseasoned pumpkin or sweet potato contains “soluble fiber that can help with mild constipation and diarrhea and acts as a prebiotic to help support healthy gut bacteria.”
“Unseasoned green beans are nutritious and low-calorie,” she adds.
What Thanksgiving foods are dangerous for pets?
“Onions and garlic can cause hemolytic anemia in cats and dogs. We may not see symptoms of this until severe damage has already occurred,” Dr. Alt says, so no Thanksgiving foods containing the ingredients should be given to pets.
Similarly, charcuterie boards should be kept away from pets because the appetizers often have grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts, “which are extremely toxic to cats and dogs, even in very small amounts.”
While giving your pet a piece of the Thanksgiving bird may be tempting, Dr. Alt knows that even a small amount of seasoned turkey “can cause GI upset or worse: pancreatitis, which can be potentially life-threatening.” Additionally, cooked turkey bones can splinter and potentially cause intestinal injury or a blockage.
Dr. Alt also lists raw dough, alcoholic drinks, chocolate, and pumpkin pie as other Thanksgiving items that can cause pets distress.
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What should a pet parent do if their pet eats toxic food?
“Don’t wait until your pet displays symptoms. Depending on which food your pet consumes, seeking veterinary care immediately can often lead to a much better outcome.” Dr. Alt warns.
“I recommend calling poison control (such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline) immediately—they can advise you on whether your situation is an emergency or if it can be managed at home. If veterinary care is recommended, they can also contact your veterinarian directly with recommended treatments for your specific situation,” she adds.
What other Thanksgiving dangers should pet owners look out for?
“We all love tablescaping with cornucopias and flowers, but some flowers are toxic. Even a few grains of pollen from a true lily that stick to a cat’s fur can be ingested during grooming and can result in irreversible kidney failure,” Dr. Alt says.
The veterinarian notes it is common for pets to get stressed during the holidays with so much activity and change, which can lead to escape attempts. To help cats and dogs stay calm during Thanksgiving, offer them a private, comfortable space in the house that they can retreat to if things get overwhelming.
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