Many Common Thanksgiving Foods Are Not Safe for Pets

Pets often take part in Thanksgiving celebrations—whether their owners mean to or not.

But not all Thanksgiving foods are suitable for your cat or dog. It’s important that pet owners know what’s toxic and what’s safe before offering extra treats under the table.

VERIFY breaks down what you need to know about the safety of the most popular Thanksgiving foods.

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what we found

1. Is leftover Thanksgiving turkey safe for pets?

Answer

“The short answer is ‘yes and no,'” says the American Kennel Club (AKC) when it comes to whether dogs can eat turkey. Turkey is commonly used in commercial dog foods and provides many nutrients to dogs when cooked directly.

“However, Thanksgiving turkey is rarely cooked directly…to our taste,” the AKC said. “For our dogs, this can lead to indigestion at best and pancreatitis at worst.”

According to Michelson Animal Discovery, the situation is largely the same for cats. Turkey skin, fat and bones are particularly dangerous for cats and dogs and can cause damage to pets’ digestive systems, the report said.

That’s why the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) warns against feeding your pet any turkey, including small amounts, and most other foods that may be eaten during Thanksgiving.

“If you want to share a Thanksgiving treat with your pet, make or buy a treat made just for them,” the AVMA said.

2. Is it safe for pets to eat ham or other fatty foods?

Answer

Too much fat puts your pet at risk for pancreatitis. This means holiday ham, bacon, butter, gravy or minced meat are not safe for pets.

The Pet Poison Helpline explains that pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain in pets. These symptoms may not appear immediately and may appear up to four days after exposure.

Pancreatitis can be fatal, and even small amounts of fatty foods can cause gastroenteritis, a mild condition that causes vomiting or diarrhea, according to another Pet Poison Helpline page.

The AKC says it has a higher fat content than most other types of meat, which means it should be avoided like other fatty foods. Purina says ham is also often high in salt and sugar, which is another reason why ham is bad for pets.

3. Are foods containing spices and seasonings safe for pets?

Answer

Many holiday seasonings, spices and ingredients are harmful or even toxic to cats and dogs.

Onions, garlic and leeks — common ingredients in all stuffings — are poisonous to cats and dogs, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says cats are more sensitive to these vegetables than most dog breeds. Both the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Pet Poison Hotline say the vegetable can cause gastrointestinal problems and anemia, and can damage your pet’s red blood cells.

Salt and pepper are also harmful to pets and can cause salt poisoning when used in large amounts. The most obvious symptom is excessive thirst, but it can also lead to vomiting within hours of ingestion and may progress to weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors and seizures, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Dairy in food is a bigger problem for cats than for dogs. PetMD says most cats become lactose intolerant after weaning, but the AKC says only some dogs are lactose intolerant. Even if your dog isn’t lactose intolerant, he probably shouldn’t drink too much milk.

4. Are fruitcakes and other holiday desserts safe for pets?

Answer

Most holiday desserts use ingredients that are harmful to pets.

Fruit cakes often contain nuts and raisins, both of which are dangerous to cats and dogs.

The AKC says macadamia nuts are one of the most toxic foods for dogs, affecting their nervous systems, rendering them unable to walk and causing lethargy. The Pet Poison Helpline notes that other nuts are high in fat, which means they may cause pancreatitis. PetMD says nuts can also cause intestinal blockages in cats because cats can’t easily digest them.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says grapes and raisins may cause kidney failure in dogs, but the exact toxic substances in these fruits are unknown. PetMD says grapes and raisins are also highly toxic to cats.

Sugar is bad for pets, and chocolate is known to be poisonous to dogs. But even sugar-free candies can pose dangers to pets. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener commonly used in chewing gum and sugar-free pastries, can be fatal to cats and dogs, the AVMA said. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says it can cause liver failure.

5. Are there any vegetarian foods that are safe for pets?

Answer

Some simple foods often served during the holidays are safe for pets.

Apples, green beans, sweet potatoes, zucchini, winter squash, carrots and popcorn are all on the Pet Poison Helpline’s list of safe foods for pets. Purina adds cranberry, pumpkin, mashed potatoes and plain turkey to that list – as mentioned above.

It is important to stress that these foods must be free of oil, butter, fat, sugar, spices, seasonings and salt. Make sure you are not feeding them canned foods or items containing potentially harmful ingredients, and feed them exactly as directed by your veterinary professional.

Michelson Found Animals adds that vegetables should make up no more than 10 percent of a dog’s daily diet. So you should only feed your dog vegetables as treats.

However, the safest way to treat your pet during any holiday is to share some treats or holiday-themed toys.