The countdown to turkey begins! Before you share your favorite Thanksgiving foods with your dog, find out which food made the no-no list and why.

10 Thanksgiving Foods You Should Keep Far Away From Your Dog

As you shop, chop, and prep for your upcoming Thanksgiving feast, you may find yourself tempted to share a few bites with your canine companion. But, when it comes to holiday nibbles, there are some dishes your fur baby should avoid. Read on to find out which foods made the no-no list and why. Plus, the ingredients to watch out for in your holiday recipes!


1. Jazzed Up Turkey 

While turkey itself is fine for dogs, holiday birds are another story because they’re rarely cooked and served plain. Rather, they’re typically seasoned with ingredients such as onions, garlic, and salt (which are all dangerous to dogs). You may also add some not-so-dog-friendly herbs. What about sugar? Then there are the overly fatty butter and oils. While we may prepare a delicious meal for us humans, letting your dog indulge in the holiday bird could result in an upset stomach, pancreatitis, or worse.

Rather than tossing your pooch a seasoned piece of turkey with gravy, make your dog their own delicious turkey morsels. Here are some turkey-filled recipes:


2. Cooked Turkey Bones

Never give your pup cooked bones. They’re extremely brittle, making them unsafe for your dog. Some potential dangers include:

  • Splintering of the bones
  • Cuts and/or scrapes in your dog’s mouth
  • Choking hazard
  • Intestinal blockage
  • Gastrointestinal bleeds

Be mindful of any bone hazards on the kitchen counter, table, or trash so your crafty little canine doesn’t make his own help-yourself-buffet when you’re not looking.


3. Gravy

Gravy may transform your holiday bird from bland to grand, but it’s definitely not something you should share with your dog. It’s often loaded with onions, garlic, various spices, and flavorful herbs that aren’t safe for dogs. Plus, fatty and rich sauces could give your dog diarrhea and lead to a trip to the vet for pancreatitis. Find out more about pancreatitis in our article HERE.


4. Stuffing

What do you put in your Thanksgiving turkey stuffing? My family usually likes to add some onions, mushrooms, garlic, butter, and, of course, a gluten-laden base. While everyone makes their stuffing slightly different, this is yet another holiday dish that typically includes ingredients that your dog should stay away from. 


5. Green Bean Casserole

Do you ever give your dog boiled or dehydrated green beans as a healthy snack? Sure, plain green beans are great for dogs (especially overweight canines who are looking for a little something low-calorie to nibble on). But, the green beans in holiday casseroles are usually coated in butter, cream, mushroom soup, and onions (AKA foods your dog should stay away from).


6. Corn on the Cob

While plain and cooked corn kernels aren’t dangerous to our dogs, pet parents need to keep corn on their cobs far away from their furry family members. If your dog nibbles on, and then swallows, the cob, there is a risk of choking and serious intestinal blockage. According to VetsNow: “Corn cobs are treated as ‘foreign bodies’ so your vet will perform a full physical examination and may also carry out blood tests, x-rays, and an ultrasound. Your dog may have to go under general anesthetic to have the foreign object removed. The health of your dog’s intestine will be assessed and in the most serious cases, it may also be necessary to remove a portion of the damaged intestine.”


7. Raw Yeast Dough

Baking homemade bread and biscuits this holiday? Don’t leave your yeast dough on the counter unattended because it can harm your pooch in a couple of ways. When yeast dough sits in a dog’s stomach, it can expand due to the warm and moist environment. This can cause stomach upset, bloat, twisting of the stomach, or even death. Additionally, the yeast dough can ferment in the stomach, which morphs into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The alcohol can become toxic very quickly as it’s rapidly absorbed into the dog’s G.I. tract.


8. Popular Desserts

  • Chocolates: While most people know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, you may be surprised to find out how many dogs still get their paws on the sweet stuff. Theobromine and caffeine are two compounds in chocolate that stimulate the nervous system, causing severe symptoms. Find out more about chocolate poisoning in dogs HERE.
  • Pumpkin Pie: Sure, 100% pure pumpkin puree is great for our dogs. But, pumpkin pie loaded with sugar, nutmeg, and other spices? That makes it a no-go for our canine companions. If you want to treat your dog to some Fido-friendly pumpkin pie this season, check out our recipe for Pumpkin Pie Dog Treats HERE.
  • Apple Pie: While apples themselves are great for dogs, they get the thumbs down once they’re doused in sugar and other popular baking ingredients. If you want to treat your dog to some Fido-friendly apple pie this season, check out our recipe for Apple Pie Dog Treats HERE.
  • Grapes & Raisins: Watch those fruit platters and raisin-filled desserts. Both grapes and raisins are both highly toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness … even when eaten in small amounts. 

9. Nutmeg

I know I just mentioned this in the last dish, but nutmeg deserves its own spotlight. This spice is added to many holiday desserts and even drinks, but it’s toxic to our canine companions. According to the Pet Poison Helpline“Nutmeg contains a toxin called myristicin.  The small amount of nutmeg used in recipes is very unlikely to cause serious toxicity, though mild stomach upset could occur if a small amount is ingested.  If a very large amount of nutmeg is ingested, myristicin toxicity can cause symptoms including hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures.  Symptoms can last up to 48 hours.”


10. Alcohol

Planning on popping a few bottles of bubbly this Thanksgiving? Make sure to keep your drink far away from your four-legged friends. If your dog does drink alcohol, ethanol will be absorbed into his system. It’s important to understand that a dog’s metabolism can’t process ethanol like yours can. Your pooch will likely get drunk and experience symptoms such as confusion, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, and even seizures. If your dog does lap up your booze, call your emergency vet immediately.