704-813-2770 [email protected]

10 Thanksgiving Foods Your Dog Shouldn’t Eat

Here are 10 foods that could be a problem for your dog.Dog in Thanksgiving Costume 

Everyone has gathered around your table for Thanksgiving – including the pet dog.  What harm could it do to slip him a bit of turkey and dressing, some mashed potatoes and part of a roll?  And maybe a tiny taste of pecan pie.  You might want to rethink those “harmless little bites”.

  1. Turkey Skin and Bones – The skin is fatty and often overly seasoned with spices that dog’s don’t need to eat.  Fatty foods can cause an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis.  Cooked bones splinter and could puncture a dog’s  throat or intestines.
  2. Stuffing – Onions, garlic, leeks and shallots are a no no for dogs.  They contain sulfides and can destroy a dog’s red blood cells leading to anemia.  Large doses can be toxic for pups.  Stuffing can also have sage which contains oils and resins that can upset your dog’s stomach and cause problems with his central nervous system.
  3. Cranberry Sauce – Yes, cranberries are good for dogs, but not when they have been cooked with loads of sugar.
  4. Rolls – Yeast can lead to uncomfortable gas.
  5. Mashed Potatoes – Plain cooked potatoes are fine, but mashed potatoes usually contain butter and sour cream and dairy can be a problem for some dogs.
  6. Nuts – Even a tiny bite of pecan pie may contain enough nuts to cause muscle spasms, weakness of their legs and vomiting.  Walnuts and Macadamia are the worst.
  7. Desserts – Most desserts contain way too much sugar for dogs as well as chocolate.  Most people know to stay clear of chocolate for dogs, but it’s best to avoid all desserts.
  8. Gravy and Buttery Side Dishes – Most are very rich and can cause diarrhea or vomiting.
  9. Pumpkin and Sweet Potatoes – Both are good for dogs when they are cooked and plain with no added ingredients.  But these two side dishes often contain nutmeg.  Nutmeg has mild hallucinogenic properties that can cause seizures, tremors and central nervous system problems when ingested.
  10. Mushrooms – If your dog eats mushrooms, he may experience vomiting, seizures, or even coma and possibly death.

Ask guests not to feed the dog any “people food”.  Instead, offer your dog a dog bone, stuffed Kong or other dog treat while you are eating.  And make sure your dog doesn’t have access to the turkey carcass in the trash!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOUR PETS!