Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude, celebrate family (including your four-legged family members), and indulge in delicious food. And if you have a furry friend, you're probably used to their eager gaze following your every move as you pile your plate with festive eats. You want to share the love, but not at the cost of a stomachache. It can be difficult to know which holiday favorites are perfectly safe for pets and which ones might lead to a vet visit. That's why the experts at Supreme Source put together this clear, vet-approved guide to help you celebrate safely with your four-legged family member.
Safe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs
Plain Vegetables (Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Carrots, Peas)
Simple, unseasoned veggies (no butter, sugar, or salt) are packed with fiber and vitamins (A, C, and K), which can aid digestion and immunity. Green beans are wonderful for dogs thanks to their fiber and antioxidant content.
Lean Turkey (No Skin or Bones)
Plain, cooked white-meat turkey is a healthy, high-protein treat that supports strong muscles. However, you should skip the skins and bones, as they're high in fat and can splinter. Before cooking your turkey, portion a separate serving for your dog and cook it by boiling or baking; this method avoids added fats and seasonings. While serving sizes will differ between breeds, a 25-pound dog can be served up to 40 grams of white meat without skin.
Allergy note: Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to poultry. If your dog has such sensitivities, offer plain sweet potatoes or green beans, but skip the turkey.
Pumpkin (Pure, Not Pie)
Thanks to its fiber and beta-carotene content, plain canned or cooked pumpkin aids with digestion. Try mixing a spoonful or two of plain pumpkin with their regular food to shake things up! Be cautious though, as pumpkin pie filling contains sugar and nutmeg, which can be toxic.
Cranberries (Unsweetened Only)
Unsweetened fresh or dried cranberries are safe in small amounts and may support urinary health thanks to their antioxidants. To serve, cut whole cranberries in half to prevent choking, especially for smaller dogs. Make sure to avoid sauces or mixes that contain raisins or added sugar.
Apples (No Seeds)
Crisp, fresh apple slices make an excellent dog-safe snack, as they're full of vitamin C and fiber. They can actually help naturally clean teeth! Just remove the seeds and core to avoid the trace amounts of cyanide, which can be harmful over time.
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Should Avoid
Stuffing & Gravies
Stuffing and gravies often contain garlic and onions, which are toxic to dogs and capable of causing anemia. Even a single bite can cause harm.
Turkey Skin & Drippings
Foods high in fat, such as skin, butter, and gravy, can cause pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas.
Bones
Toss the bones. Cooked bones can splinter easily, posing choking and internal injury risks.
Chocolate, Xylitol & Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine; both are toxic to dogs. Even desserts that are sugar-free can cause problems such as hypoglycemia and liver failure due to xylitol.
Grapes & Raisins
Even a tiny amount of grapes (or raisins) can trigger acute kidney failure. Check any food you want to share with your pup, such as stuffing, breads, and desserts, for hidden raisins.
Other Dangerous Foods
- Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, tremors, and vomiting.
- Depending on the species, wild mushrooms risk severe poisoning.
- Bread dough expands in the stomach and produces ethanol.
- Even small sips or licks of alcohol and caffeine can cause toxicity, vomiting, or collapse.
Ways to Include Your Dog in the Feast
Thankfully, you don't have to leave your pup out of the fun. Try preparing a mini-dog Thanksgiving bowl by mixing a few dog-safe foods, such as turkey, sweet potatoes, and green beans, with Supreme Source Turkey Meal & Sweet Potato Recipe. Remember to keep the trash sealed (dogs love the smell of leftovers) and remind guests to not feed scraps to your furry friend.
Keep it balanced: Human foods should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. The rest should come from a complete and balanced dog food diet.
If you want to be on the safe side, consider rewarding them with Supreme Source® Chicken Dog Biscuits—made with real ingredients and no fillers.
If Your Dog Eats Something Unsafe
Even the most cautious pet parents have accidents. Here's what to do:
- Note what and how much your dog ate.
- Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately.
- Watch for vomiting, drooling, weakness, or restlessness.
Acting fast makes all of the difference. By calling immediately, you'll be guided through the next steps. So, keep those emergency numbers handy, just in case!
If your pup suddenly loses interest in food after Thanksgiving or seems off their normal routine, it might not be pickiness. Learn what might be going on (and how to help) by reading our blog post on the topic.
The Supreme Source Difference
As long as it's safe and simple, sharing Thanksgiving with your dog is one of the greatest things to be grateful for. A few bites of plain turkey and veggies can make your pup feel included without risking their health.
If you're ever uncertain about a food, avoid it and stick with the food you know is safe. And remember—holiday treats should complement, not replace, your dog's regular balanced diet.
At Supreme Source, pets are family—and family deserves real, nutritious food. Serve gratitude in every bowl this Thanksgiving with Supreme Source®, where real ingredients ensure tails wag all year long.