Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can't Eat (and the Ones They Can)

Thanksgiving is a feast for people, but a lot of what's on the table isn't safe for dogs. The short answer: the Thanksgiving foods dogs can't eat include turkey bones and skin, gravy, stuffing, anything with onions or garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, sugar-free treats made with xylitol, raw yeast dough and alcohol. A few plain foods, like boneless skinless turkey, plain green beans and plain pumpkin, are generally fine in small amounts. Below is a quick-reference table, a simple game plan for the day, and what to do if your dog gets into something they shouldn't.

This is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different, so check with your vet about your own dog, especially if they have a sensitive stomach or a health condition.

Thanksgiving foods dogs can't eat (and why)

The American Kennel Club, the ASPCA and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) all flag the same core list. Here's what's on it and the reason each one is a problem.

Food	Why it's a problem
Turkey bones	Cooked bones can splinter and can cause choking or damage and blockages in the digestive tract.
Turkey skin, fat drippings and gravy	High in fat and hard to digest. The AVMA notes that sometimes even a small amount of rich, fatty food can cause pancreatitis.
Stuffing and casseroles	Usually made with onions, garlic, butter and seasonings, plus sometimes raisins.
Onions, garlic, scallions, chives	Toxic to dogs. Pet Poison Helpline lists signs such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, pale gums and increased heart rate.
Grapes, raisins, currants	Can cause kidney failure in dogs. The toxic amount isn't known, so any amount should be taken seriously.
Chocolate and most desserts	Chocolate is toxic to dogs; pies, cookies and sweets are also rich and fatty.
Sugar-free foods with xylitol	The ASPCA says xylitol can cause low blood sugar, liver damage or even death.
Raw yeast dough	Can expand in the stomach and cause painful, dangerous bloating; fermenting yeast also produces alcohol.
Alcohol	Not safe for dogs in any amount.
Ham and heavily seasoned meats	Fatty and salty; the AKC includes ham on its do-not-feed list.
Raw or undercooked turkey	May carry salmonella, according to the ASPCA.

The sneaky ones

Some risks aren't obvious. Mashed potatoes often have butter, cream, onion or garlic mixed in. Sweet potato casserole usually has brown sugar, marshmallows or syrup. Bread dough rising on the counter is easy for a tall dog to reach. And sugar-free desserts or gum in a guest's bag can contain xylitol. The ASPCA also warns that bouillon cubes are very high in sodium, so a "plain" broth isn't always plain.

What dogs can have on Thanksgiving

You don't have to leave your dog out entirely. According to the AKC, these foods are generally fine in small amounts, as long as they're plain, unseasoned and cooked without butter or sugar:

• Turkey meat, boneless and skinless, fully cooked, with no seasoning
• Plain green beans and plain peas (not creamed)
• Plain sweet potato or plain boiled or baked potato
• Pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced)
• Fresh apple slices, with the core and seeds removed

The ASPCA's suggestion is to keep your dog on their normal diet, and if you want to include them, mix a few small pieces of turkey, sweet potato or green beans into their regular dinner. A food puzzle toy is another way to give them a "feast" that keeps them busy while you eat.

Keep portions small. A new food, even a safe one, can upset a dog's stomach, and extras add up fast when several guests are each slipping "just one bite." If your dog is on a special diet or has had pancreatitis before, ask your vet before sharing anything.

Your Thanksgiving day game plan

Most holiday food emergencies happen because of access, not because someone meant to feed the dog something dangerous. A little setup goes a long way.

Before guests arrive

• Feed your dog their normal meal before dinner. The AKC suggests feeding them in another room so they're less interested in the table.
• Take them for a good walk or play session so they're more relaxed.
• Set up a quiet spot (a crate, a closed bedroom or a gated room) with water, a bed and a chew or puzzle toy.
• Check that your dog's ID tag and microchip details are up to date. The AVMA notes pets can slip out when doors are opening and closing.

During the meal

• Tell guests, especially kids, that the dog doesn't get food from the table. The AKC points out that guests may offer treats without realizing what's harmful.
• Keep appetizer plates, nut bowls and desserts away from table edges and coffee tables.
• Don't let your dog lick plates or hang around the kitchen while you cook.
• Ask guests to keep bags and coats (which may hold medication, gum or snacks) up and out of reach.

After dinner

• Put the turkey carcass and bones straight into a tightly sealed bag. The AVMA recommends a closed container outdoors or behind a securely closed door.
• Take out the trash during the day so it doesn't overflow, as the ASPCA suggests.
• Pack up leftovers promptly and push them to the back of the counter or into the fridge.
• Watch out for decorations too: the AVMA lists corn cobs, pine cones and gourds as choking or blockage risks, and some holiday plants are toxic to pets.

Stop the begging before it starts

A dog who has learned that the dinner table pays off will work hard for it on Thanksgiving. The AKC's advice on stopping begging at the Thanksgiving table boils down to consistency: nobody feeds from the table, the dog has a place to be during meals, and any dog-safe leftovers go into their own bowl after everyone has finished eating. Practicing "go to your bed" or "place" in the week or two before the holiday makes the big day much easier.

If you're planning a family photo with your dog this year, the same idea applies: practice short, rewarded sessions ahead of time. Our guide on how to get your dog used to wearing a hat uses the same calm, step-by-step approach, and our dog holiday card photo ideas are a fun way to turn a full, happy dog into a great picture. If a festive hat is part of the plan, our dog hat size guide shows you how to measure first.

What to do if your dog eats something they shouldn't

Don't wait to see if symptoms appear. The AKC advises contacting your vet right away if your dog eats something toxic, and the AVMA recommends the same.

1. Take whatever is left away and figure out what and roughly how much your dog ate. Keep the packaging or recipe if you can.
2. Call your vet or your nearest emergency vet clinic. Many regular clinics are closed on Thanksgiving, so look up your local 24-hour emergency clinic ahead of time.
3. Or call a pet poison hotline: the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. The AVMA notes a fee may apply.
4. Don't try to make your dog vomit unless a vet or poison-control expert tells you to.

Signs that something is wrong can include vomiting, diarrhea, sudden behavior changes, lethargy, pain or discomfort, or a swollen belly. The AVMA lists several of these as reasons to call your vet. If you're unsure, call. It's always better to ask.

Quick printable checklist

• ☐ Normal dinner and a walk before guests arrive
• ☐ Quiet room or crate set up with water and a chew
• ☐ ID tag and microchip details up to date
• ☐ Guests know: no table food for the dog
• ☐ No bones, skin, gravy, stuffing, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, dough or alcohol
• ☐ Turkey carcass and trash sealed and out of reach
• ☐ Leftovers put away promptly
• ☐ Vet, emergency clinic and poison-control numbers saved in your phone

With a bit of planning, your dog can have a calm, safe day and maybe a spoonful of plain turkey in their bowl. When you're ready to start on the next holiday, take a look at our Holiday Plaid Dog Bandana for something festive.

FAQ

Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Small amounts of plain, fully cooked, boneless and skinless turkey are generally considered safe, according to the AKC, ASPCA and AVMA. Skip the skin, bones, gravy and any seasoned or buttered meat. Check with your vet if your dog has a sensitive stomach or a history of pancreatitis.

Is stuffing bad for dogs?

Yes, the AKC lists stuffing on its do-not-feed list. It's usually made with onions, garlic, butter and seasonings, and sometimes raisins, all of which can be harmful to dogs.

Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?

No. Pumpkin pie is sweetened, spiced and rich. Plain, pure pumpkin puree in small amounts is a different story and is generally fine for most dogs.

What should I do if my dog ate a turkey bone?

Call your vet or an emergency vet clinic for advice. Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or blockages, so don't wait for symptoms, and don't try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.