Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, connection, and of course, delicious food. For many of us at DogDog, making our dogs part of the festivities is just as important as gathering with family and friends. But in the middle of turkey carving and passing the stuffing, it’s easy to forget that not every bite from the Thanksgiving table is safe for our four-legged companions. As a team devoted to helping shelter dogs and spreading awareness, we want every dog—at home or in a shelter—to stay healthy and safe during the holidays. Here’s a comprehensive, vet-backed guide to what dogs can and can’t eat at Thanksgiving, serving sizes, safety tips, and a taste of how your choices can help shelter pups too.
Why We Care: Thanksgiving at DogDog Is About Giving Back
At DogDog, Thanksgiving is more than a holiday—it’s a reminder that every meal and every act of kindness matters, especially for the millions of dogs in shelters. Through our search engine, each search helps fund meals and health check-ups for shelter dogs. This focus on giving back informs how seriously we take food safety, because every healthy pup is worth celebrating—whether they’re sleeping under your table or waiting for a home.
Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs (With Serving Suggestions)
Many classic Thanksgiving ingredients can be shared with your dog if you keep them plain and in moderation. Here’s our detailed list of dog-safe options:
- Plain, Cooked Turkey (Boneless & Skinless): Offer only plain, unseasoned turkey meat. Remove all skin and bones before serving. For a 25-pound dog, limit to 40 grams of white meat or 30 grams of dark meat. Watch for sneaky seasonings like onions, garlic, or salt!
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Sweet Potatoes: Serve well-cooked and mashed or diced sweet potatoes with no sugar, butter, or spices.
- Suggested serving: 1–2 tablespoons per 20 pounds of body weight.
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Green Beans: Fresh, steamed, or boiled—with no casserole add-ons like fried onions or cheese.
- Serve 2–3 beans per 10 pounds of dog weight.
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Plain Pumpkin: Plain canned or cooked pumpkin is gentle on their stomachs. Avoid pie fillings since those often contain sugars and spices.
- For a small dog, offer 1–2 teaspoons per meal; large breeds can have 1–2 tablespoons.
- Plain Potatoes: Potatoes are ok if boiled or baked and totally plain—no salt, dairy, butter, or gravy.
- Apple Slices (No Core or Seeds): Seedless, cored slices only. Apple seeds can be toxic, so double-check before sharing!
- Cranberries (Fresh or Plain Cooked): These are safe in small amounts, but avoid any cranberry sauce with sugar or spices.
- Dog-Specific Holiday Treats: If you want to make your pup feel special, pick a turkey or pumpkin-flavored dog treat, or use your leftovers to bake a simple, vet-approved snack.
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Should Never Eat — and Why
Plenty of traditional Thanksgiving favorites can spell real trouble for dogs, either because of toxic ingredients or difficult-to-digest elements like fat, dairy, or bones. Here are top foods to keep far away from dogs:
- Turkey Bones and Skin: Bones splinter and block airways or intestines; fatty skin causes upset stomachs and even pancreatitis.
- Stuffing: Usually contains onions, garlic, scallions, and sometimes raisins or grapes. All these are toxic—even tiny amounts can be dangerous.
- Mashed Potatoes, Casseroles, and Gravy: Butter, cream, salt, seasonings, and onions are high-risk for digestive upset and toxicity.
- Grapes and Raisins: Potent toxins for dogs, known to cause kidney failure even in small doses. Avoid in any form, including bread and desserts.
- Desserts (Chocolate, Pies, Baked Goods): Chocolate and xylitol (a sugar substitute) are deadly for dogs; other dessert ingredients like fat, sugar, and spices risk stomach upset and toxicity.
- Raw Dough or Yeast Breads: Raw dough expands in the stomach, leading to blockages or alcohol poisoning as it ferments.
- Pitted or Stone Fruits: Fruit pits and seeds can choke dogs or release toxins if chewed.
- Alcohol, Caffeinated Beverages: Even small sips of beer, wine, coffee, or tea are highly toxic and can be fatal.
- Multi-Ingredient or Mixed Dishes: If you don’t know every ingredient (think casseroles, salads, and appetizers), just say no to sharing with your pup.
Quick-Reference: Thanksgiving Food Safety Table
| Food Item | Safe? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Plain, cooked turkey (no skin/bones) | Yes | 40g white or 30g dark meat per 25 lb dog; no seasoning |
| Mashed potatoes (plain) | Yes | Up to 2 tbsp per meal; no dairy, garlic, onion, or butter |
| Stuffing | No | Contains toxic ingredients (onion, garlic, raisins, spices) |
| Sweets & pies (chocolate, xylitol) | No | Very toxic for dogs |
| Green beans (plain) | Yes | No toppings or casseroles |
| Sweet potatoes (plain, cooked) | Yes | No sugar, marshmallow, or spices |
| Pumpkin (plain, not pie filling) | Yes | Unsweetened only |
| Turkey or ham bones, skin | No | Choking/blockage risk; fatty skin |
| Grapes & raisins | No | Can cause deadly kidney failure |
| Bread dough (raw/yeast) | No | Expands in stomach; toxic |
| Apples (no seeds, no core) | Yes | Thin sliced only |
| Cranberries (unsweetened) | Yes | In small amounts |
Veterinarian-Reviewed Thanksgiving Safety Tips
- Watch for risky ingredients: Never let dogs eat food containing onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, chocolate, or sweeteners like xylitol.
- Secure trash and leftovers: Many Thanksgiving mishaps happen after the meal. Keep trash bins out of reach and put away food promptly.
- Set ground rules with guests: Share the list of unsafe foods and ask visitors not to sneak treats to your pup.
- Measure and moderate: Even dog-safe foods can cause tummy trouble if you overdo it. Stick to recommended serving sizes.
- Monitor for symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, or refusing food are all red flags—contact your vet quickly if you notice these signs.
- Emergency numbers: Know your vet’s emergency hours and save the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) in your phone.
Real-World Stories: What Your Generosity Means for Shelter Dogs
Our DogDog family never forgets the pups in shelters—every search you make helps provide food and medical care. Donations have funded surgery and rehabilitation for dogs like Driving Miss Daisy, rescued from a puppy mill and given a new start, and Frenchie, who survived abandonment thanks to your support. If you want more insight into how everyday actions add up to real change, check out our deep dives on how grants and state funding are changing shelter life and what you can do to help dogs in crisis.
Easy Holiday Action Plan: Keeping Your Dog Safe This Thanksgiving
- Prepare or portion out dog-safe foods before the meal—set some aside so your pup can celebrate with everyone.
- Let all guests know which foods are safe and which to avoid sharing with your dog.
- Clear the table and store leftovers—and secure the trash—as soon as you’re done eating.
- Save the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) in your phone just in case.
- For those who want to extend the Thanksgiving spirit, contribute to shelter care by using DogDog’s search engine for your everyday searching.
- Spread the word! Share these tips in your community and help keep every pup healthy throughout the holidays.
Offering Thanks—And Hope—To Dogs Throughout the Year
As we gather to celebrate, let’s remember that even simple acts—like keeping certain foods out of reach or making a few extra searches—can have a ripple effect for dogs everywhere. Whether you’re hosting a house full of guests or spending a quiet day with your pup, we at DogDog are grateful for you, for your love of dogs, and for the incredible generosity the animal-loving community shows every year.
Wishing you and your canine companions a safe, happy Thanksgiving. If you’re looking for more ways to make a difference—both at home and for shelter dogs—consider exploring DogDog. Every search brings hope and health to pups in need.
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