Thanksgiving foods safe and toxic for dogs and cats
Thanksgiving is the biggest day of the year for ASPCA poison control calls. A table full of food within reach, guests who do not know what is safe, and distracted hosts is a recipe for accidental pet poisoning.
Save these numbers before guests arrive: ASPCA 888-426-4435 | Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661
The three most dangerous Thanksgiving hazards
- 1.Grapes and raisins - on cheese boards, in stuffing, in desserts. Any amount can cause kidney failure in dogs. One raisin can be enough.
- 2.Turkey bones - cooked poultry bones splinter and perforate the bowel. Not a minor GI upset risk - a surgical emergency.
- 3.Stuffing with onion or garlic - virtually all Thanksgiving stuffing contains one or both. Even the pan drippings carry the toxins.
Thanksgiving food safety table
| Food | Dogs | Cats | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain turkey breast (unseasoned) | SAFE | SAFE | Excellent lean protein. Skin and seasoned meat not safe. |
| Turkey skin | CAUTION | CAUTION | High fat; pancreatitis risk, especially in dogs prone to it. |
| Turkey bones (cooked) | TOXIC | TOXIC | Splinter and perforate bowel. All cooked poultry bones dangerous. |
| Stuffing with onion or garlic | TOXIC | TOXIC | Onion and garlic cause haemolytic anaemia. Almost all stuffing recipes are unsafe. |
| Plain mashed potato (no butter/garlic) | SAFE | SAFE | Plain cooked potato is safe. Butter, cream, garlic: not safe. |
| Mashed potato with butter and cream | CAUTION | CAUTION | High fat; GI upset and pancreatitis risk. |
| Gravy | CAUTION | CAUTION | Almost always contains onion, garlic, and high fat content. Avoid. |
| Plain cooked green beans | SAFE | SAFE | Great low-calorie treat when plain. Avoid canned beans in sauce. |
| Green bean casserole | CAUTION | CAUTION | Contains onion, cream of mushroom soup, and high sodium. Not safe as a dish. |
| Plain pumpkin (cooked) | SAFE | SAFE | Excellent for digestive health. Not pumpkin pie filling (contains xylitol in some brands and spices). |
| Pumpkin pie | CAUTION | CAUTION | Nutmeg is toxic; pie filling may contain xylitol; very high sugar. Avoid. |
| Bread rolls (plain, baked) | SAFE | SAFE | Small amounts fine. Not raw dough - yeast is toxic. |
| Raw bread dough | TOXIC | TOXIC | Yeast expands in stomach, causes bloat and produces ethanol. Emergency situation. |
| Sweet potato (plain, cooked) | SAFE | SAFE | Nutritious and safe. Not sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. |
| Sweet potato casserole | CAUTION | CAUTION | Very high sugar; some recipes contain xylitol in sugar-free marshmallows. |
| Grapes on cheese boards | EMERGENCY | TOXIC | Any amount can cause kidney failure in dogs. Must be kept completely out of reach. |
| Raisins in stuffing or mince pies | EMERGENCY | TOXIC | Equally dangerous as grapes. Very easy to accidentally include in food scraps. |
| Chocolate desserts | TOXIC | TOXIC | Dark chocolate most dangerous. Guests sharing dessert is a common route to poisoning. |
| Pecan pie | TOXIC | CAUTION | Pecans contain juglone and high fat; risk of pancreatitis and GI symptoms in dogs. |
| Alcohol (wine, beer, spirits) | TOXIC | TOXIC | Even small amounts cause rapid CNS depression. Unattended glasses at floor level are a hazard. |
| Cranberry sauce (store-bought) | CAUTION | CAUTION | Very high sugar content; some sugar-free versions contain xylitol. Plain cranberries in tiny amounts are non-toxic. |
Thanksgiving day tips for pet owners
- -Brief guests when they arrive: no feeding from the table, no matter how persistent the begging.
- -Keep pets out of the kitchen during meal prep when floors are most likely to have food dropped.
- -Designate a pet-safe room with their bed and water for during the meal if the house is chaotic.
- -Secure the bin immediately after clearing plates - the inside of the turkey carcass is irresistible to dogs.
- -Check sugar-free cranberry sauce and sugar-free pumpkin pie for xylitol on the label.
- -Put unattended wine glasses in the kitchen, not on the coffee table.
Not veterinary advice. If your pet has ingested any potentially toxic substance, call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately. For emergencies, contact your veterinarian. This site is educational only.