Thanksgiving Dog Treats You Can and Cannot Feed

Above photo courtesy of KTW Wraps and Knotless Hair Wraps

With Thanksgiving just right around the corner maybe we should review what we can and cannot feed our dogs as Thanksgiving dinners and treats. It is common for dog owners to want to indulge their dogs to extra tasty foods during holidays just as they do as humans. There are plenty of choices you can share with your dog. Just mark off "turkey bones" as a starter as these are NOT safe treats for Fido. Turkey bones can cause damage to your pet's digestive tract so avoid this treat altogether. 

Dogs can enjoy the great taste and nutrition of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are full of dietary fiber, vitamin B6 and Vitamin C as well as beta-carotene. A point to remember is NOT to give sweet potato treats containing extra ingredients. Try a simple dehydrated sweet potato chew.

How about plain potatoes? These are fine to give as a treat, however, give only boiled or baked potatoes. Do not add butter, sour cream, salt or pepper and always give this treat in moderation. Too much of a good thing is never a good thing for Fido.

Apples are a great choice as they are full of vitamins A and C plus lots of fiber making them a healthy and excellent Thanksgiving treat for your dog. Cut up apples into bite size slices.

Turkey meat, but no bones or skin is fine to give to your dog. Green beans is another good choice. Of course not all dogs like green beans, but if your dog does enjoy eating green beans, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to offer this treat. The key to feeding green beans as a dog treat is to leave out added ingredients like butter and spices.

Pumpkin is usually readily available during the Thanksgiving holiday. Feed canned pumpkin, not the pie mix. Canned pumpkin as a dog treat is great for digestive health and the dog's skin and coat.

You don't have to leave out dessert for Fido. Many dogs have a sweet tooth. Go ahead and satisfy that sweet tooth with something like frozen yogurt.

Do not feed your dog the following at Thanksgiving or anytime during the year:

• turkey bones, skin or gravy
• stuffing
• casseroles
• mashed potatoes
• creamed peas
• chocolate in any form like in cookies, pies or sweets, especially chocolate containing xylitol 
• alcoholic beverages
• raisins and grapes
• onions, scallions and garlic
• ham
• yeast dough
• fatty foods
• foods containing spices