Thanksgiving Table Scraps That Dogs Shouldn’t Eat

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and while it may be tempting to give your dog scraps from the table, you should be cognizant of what impact those ingredients may have on your furry loved one. 

At Portland Pet Food Company, we understand the desire to bring your dog in on the holiday festivities, which is why we developed a nutritious Thanksgiving feast for dogs, filled with classic ingredients that are healthy for your pooch. However, we think it’s just as important for dog owners to learn what foods are nutritious versus unhealthy and potentially dangerous for their dog, so we put together a list of common Thanksgiving items that your pooch can and can’t eat.  

Thanksgiving Foods That Dogs Can And Should Eat 

Pumpkin: Pumpkin contains lots of fiber, which is great for digestion, as well as Vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and iron. 

Green beans: Healthy for humans, healthy for dogs! Green beans are packed with nutrients, including green chlorophyll, which can help treat and prevent bad breath in dogs. If your pup will eat them, it will make both of you happier!

Sweet potatoes/yams: Sweet potatoes are filled with a variety of vitamins and nutrients that are good for dogs: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Manganese, Copper, B Vitamins, Potassium, Fiber, and Beta Carotene. 

Carrots: Carrots help dogs maintain a healthy immune system, vision, and nerve function. They are also filled with carotenoids, which promote protection against cancer-causing radicals. 

Turkey: Feel free to carve off a slice of turkey (but no skin) for your dog on Thanksgiving -- it’s filled with Zinc and B vitamins, and your dog will love it!

Cranberries: With each cranberry, your dog will get vitamins including Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 and B2, and Vitamin C. 

Thanksgiving Foods That Dogs Can’t Eat

Dessert: As much as your dog would love a slice of pie, their stomachs aren’t able to handle and digest preservatives and/or sugar substitutes often found in Thanksgiving dessert staples. Best for the both of you to hold off sneaking them a slice. 

Turkey bones: Turkey bones, like most other leftover dinner bones, could lead to a trip to the vet if given to dogs. When chewed on, turkey bones may split and could puncture your dog’s mouth or body once swallowed. 

Sweet potato casserole: Whether you’re a marshmallow or non-marshmallow casserole kind of household, your dog shouldn’t have it either way. The amount of butter and sugars that are added could lead to an unpleasant experience for them (and you) a few hours later. 

Stuffing: Everyone makes stuffing differently, but many of the common ingredients, including onions and garlic, shouldn’t be eaten by dogs. 

Green bean casserole: Green bean casserole typically contains a handful of ingredients that wouldn’t sit well with your dog, such as heavy cream, cheese, butter, etc. 

Thanksgiving should be fun for everyone, and a trip to the vet certainly won’t be fun for you or your dog. Treat your dog this year by serving them Grandma Ada’s Turkey & Yams Holiday Feast. After dinner, both you and your dog can rest happily, healthily, and stuffed like a turkey! 

At Portland Pet Food Company, our motto is simple, feed your dog like you feed yourself — and that doesn’t stop the day after Thanksgiving, it’s every day. Sign up for our dog food toppers subscription service to ensure that you never run out of fresh dog toppers or crunchy treats. Your dog will thank you.

Food For Cats, Too
We also have cat food! Check out our chicken and pumpkin cat food and salmon and pumpkin cat food.