How To Keep Pets Safe (and Spoiled) at Thanksgiving

If you also have a borderline unhealthy obsession with your pets, this is the story for you. Here are our tips for celebrating Thanksgiving with your pets:

🦃 What’s Safe To Serve Your Pets?

Sometimes you just can’t resist giving your pet a bite of dinner, and the good news is that a lot of Thanksgiving staples are safe for your dog or cat to eat in moderation. The ASPCA recommends adding some pieces of sweet potatoes, green beans, and fully cooked turkey to their usual meal. Add gravy on top if you’re feeling generous.

Boiled or baked potatoes, bites of apple, plain peas, and pumpkin are safe for your dog, too.

❌ What Should You Avoid?

All of the regular pet food rules apply to Thanksgiving: Don’t give them onions, garlic, garlic powder, scallions, raisins, grapes, alcohol, or chocolate.

Don’t feed your cats or dogs turkey bones, turkey skin, ham, or sugar-free desserts. Nutmeg and sage can also be bad for pets.

Bouillon cubes and raw yeast bread dough are also big no-nos.

Keep an eye on your furry friends throughout the day and make sure you have a local vet’s number handy or call ASPCA Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

🚮 Keep Your Trash Closed Off From Pets.

This one is a no-brainer: Keep your pets away from the trash. You don’t want them getting into turkey bones or other off-limits items.

🕯️ Holiday Decor Can Be Dangerous to Your Animals.

Table decorations and other holiday decor can prove dangerous if your pet gets into them. Corn cobs, pine cones, and gourds can cause choking or intestinal blockage and some flowers and plants can be toxic. Avoid amaryllis, baby’s breath, sweet William, certain ferns, and hydrangeas.

That’s really it, y’all! I hope your Malcolms have a great Thanksgiving!