Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude — and for many pet parents, that includes sharing the holiday with their four-legged family members. While it’s tempting to pass your dog or cat a bite from the table, not everything on the Thanksgiving menu is safe for animals.
The good news? There are a handful of pet-friendly holiday foods that your furry friend can enjoy in moderation.

Here’s your guide to safe Thanksgiving foods — and a few smart tips to keep the holiday fun and stress-free.

🥚 1. Plain, Skinless Turkey (Fully Cooked)

Turkey is one of the safest Thanksgiving proteins for pets — as long as it’s kept simple.

Safe for pets:
✔ White or dark turkey meat
✔ No skin
✔ No bones
✔ No seasoning, butter, or gravy

Skin and drippings can cause stomach upset or even pancreatitis, so stick to small pieces of plain turkey meat only.

🍠 2. Sweet Potatoes (Plain & Cooked)

Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A, B6, and C and make a nutrient-rich snack.

Safe:
✔ Boiled, baked, or steamed
✔ No butter
✔ No marshmallows
✔ No brown sugar

Avoid sugary casseroles — they’re for humans only.

🥕 3. Carrots, Green Beans & Other Plain Veggies

Vegetables are great low-calorie treats for dogs and cats.

Safe cooked or raw veggies:
✔ Green beans
✔ Carrots
✔ Cucumbers
✔ Zucchini
✔ Pumpkin (plain, cooked or canned)

Avoid anything cooked in butter, spices, onion, or garlic.

🍞 4. Small Pieces of Bread (Plain Only)

A small bite of plain dinner roll is typically safe for most dogs.
Avoid giving bread dough — raw yeast dough can expand in your pet’s stomach and become dangerous.

🍎 5. Apples (No Seeds)

A few slices of apple make a crunchy, pet-friendly treat.

Safe:
✔ Peeled or unpeeled
✔ No seeds (apple seeds contain trace cyanide)

This is a great alternative to sugary pies or pastries pets should not eat.

🎃 6. Plain Pumpkin Purée

Pumpkin is fantastic for digestion and is one of the safest holiday foods for both dogs and cats.

Avoid:
✘ Pumpkin pie
✘ Spiced pumpkin purée
✘ Pumpkin pie filling

The extra sugar and spices can upset your pet’s stomach.

🧀 7. A Tiny Bit of Cheese

Most pets can tolerate a small amount of plain, low-fat cheese.
Just keep it minimal — too much dairy can cause stomach upset.

❌ Dangerous Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid

Make sure these don’t end up in your pet’s bowl:

• Turkey skin, bones, or fatty drippings

• Stuffing (may contain onions, garlic, butter, and spices)

• Mashed potatoes with butter, cream, or garlic

• Gravy

• Casseroles (green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole)

• Chocolate desserts

• Grapes or raisins (toxic!)

• Alcohol

• Yeast dough

• Onions and garlic in ANY form

When in doubt, skip it.

🧡 Keep Pets Safe With These Tips

• Create a pet-safe plate before the meal is served so you’re not tempted to share unsafe foods.

• Keep trash secured — turkey bones and strings from roasting pans are irresistible to pets.

• Remind guests not to feed your pets without asking.

• Have pet-safe treats on hand — freeze-dried meat, dog biscuits, or cat treats make great festive rewards.

🍁 A Safe & Happy Thanksgiving for All

Your pet can absolutely join in the holiday fun — as long as we keep their feast simple, safe, and wholesome.
A little planning goes a long way toward avoiding an emergency vet visit on Thanksgiving Day.

If you want holiday snacks or festive treats made just for pets, stop into The Hungry Puppy or shop online for free nationwide shipping and local delivery. Your pets will be thankful too! 🦃🐶🐱