Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous for Pets: What to Avoid This Holiday

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. While it’s tempting to share the feast with your furry family members, some traditional holiday foods can be harmful—or even dangerous—for pets.

To keep your pets safe and happy this Thanksgiving, here’s a list of common foods to avoid.

Top 10 Thanksgiving Foods to Keep Away from Pets

1. Turkey Bones 🦴: Cooked turkey bones can splinter and cause choking or digestive tract injuries (a little plain, cooked turkey meat is okay - but if it’s been fried, cooked with other ingredients, or has any kind of seasoning or glaze, you should avoid giving it to your pets).

2. Stuffing 🍞: Ingredients like onions, garlic, and certain herbs are toxic to pets, especially dogs and cats.

3. Gravy 🍗: High-fat and salty gravies can lead to upset stomachs or even pancreatitis in pets.

4. Mashed Potatoes 🥔: Plain potatoes are fine in moderation, but butter, cream, and garlic can upset their stomachs.

5. Cranberry Sauce 🥣: While plain cranberries are safe, sauces often contain sugar, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic.

6. Desserts (Especially Chocolate and Pumpkin Pie) 🍫🥧: Chocolate is toxic to pets, and pies often have sugar, spices, and other ingredients that can harm them. While pumpkin itself (as a single, cooked ingredient) is good for pets, the added ingredients can be harmful.

7. Ham 🍖: High-fat and salty meats like ham can cause stomach upset and are hard for pets to digest.

8. Alcohol and Marijuana 🍷: Even small amounts can be toxic to pets, causing vomiting, diarrhea, or even death.

9. Yeast Dough 🍞: Unbaked dough can expand in a pet's stomach, leading to serious bloating or alcohol poisoning from fermentation.

10. Nuts (Especially Macadamia Nuts) 🥜: Many nuts are high in fat, and macadamia nuts are toxic, causing vomiting, weakness, and tremors.

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday

The best way to keep your pets safe is to stick to their usual diet and avoid feeding them table scraps. If you want to include your pet in the holiday fun, opt for pet-safe treats or foods specifically designed for dogs or cats.

If you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, contact an emergency vet immediately. 

From all of us at Small Miracles, have a safe and joyful Thanksgiving! 🐾🍂