Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat

Thanksgiving is a feast for humans, and a minefield for dogs. A little sharing is fine, but a few holiday staples are genuinely dangerous.

Safe, plain options: turkey meat (no skin, no bones), plain sweet potato, green beans, carrots, and a spoonful of plain pumpkin. Skip the seasoning, butter, and gravy — rich, fatty foods trigger upset stomachs and, worse, pancreatitis.

Never share these: onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate desserts, and anything with xylitol. Cooked turkey bones are a hidden hazard too — they splinter and can tear the digestive tract.

The simplest rule: make your dog a small, plain plate rather than passing table scraps. And a busy chew toy keeps a begging dog happily occupied while the humans eat.

Common questions

Can dogs eat turkey skin? It's very fatty and can cause pancreatitis, so it's best to skip it.

Is pumpkin pie safe for dogs? Plain pumpkin is great; pie filling with sugar and spices is not.

What if my dog eats onions or grapes? Call your vet. Both can be toxic, and the effects may not show for a day or two.