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Short answer: a few bites of plain, boneless, skinless turkey, plain green beans, plain sweet potato or a spoonful of plain pumpkin are fine for most dogs. Keep away bones, skin, gravy, stuffing, anything with onion or garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, sugar-free desserts, raw dough, corn cobs and alcohol. Most holiday vet visits start with scraps from the table or the trash.
If your pet eats something on the “no” list: call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A fee may apply. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can my pet eat it? Quick lookup
Can my pet eat this?
Type a food, or tap a filter. Applies to dogs; cats in a note where they differ.
- A littleTurkey meat
Plain, fully cooked, boneless and skinless, a few bites only. Skip seasoned or buttered meat. (ASPCA, AKC)
- NoTurkey skin
Fatty and often buttered; rich, fatty food can trigger pancreatitis. (AVMA, AKC)
- NoTurkey bones and carcass
Can choke, splinter and block the gut. Bag the carcass and take it out. (ASPCA, AVMA)
- NoRaw or undercooked turkey
May carry salmonella. (ASPCA)
- NoGravy
Fat, seasoning and salt; bouillon is very high in sodium. (ASPCA, AKC)
- NoStuffing / dressing
Usually made with onion and garlic, plus butter and sometimes raisins. (ASPCA, AKC)
- NoOnions, garlic, leeks, chives, scallions
Can damage red blood cells. Cats are even more sensitive than dogs. (ASPCA)
- NoMashed potatoes
Butter, cream and sometimes garlic. A bite of plain boiled or baked potato is fine. (AKC)
- A littlePlain potato (boiled or baked)
Plain and cooked, a small piece. (AKC)
- Yes, plainSweet potatoes, plain
Plain cooked sweet potato is a good share. Not the casserole with marshmallows, brown sugar or syrup. (AKC)
- NoSweet potato casserole
Sugar, butter and marshmallows. (AKC)
- Yes, plainGreen beans, plain
Plain, no butter or salt. (AKC, Texas A&M)
- NoGreen bean casserole
Fried onions and cream soup. (ASPCA, AKC)
- Yes, plainPumpkin, plain puree
A spoonful of 100% pumpkin, not pie filling. (AKC)
- NoPumpkin pie and pie filling
Sugar and spices; sugar-free versions may contain xylitol. (AKC, ASPCA)
- A littleApple slices
Fresh slices, cut away from the core and seeds. Not apple pie. (AKC)
- NoCorn on the cob
Dogs swallow chunks of cob, which can cause a blockage needing surgery. Plain kernels are not the problem. (PDSA)
- NoGrapes and raisins
Can cause kidney damage in dogs. Watch stuffing, salads and baked goods. (ASPCA, AVMA)
- NoChocolate desserts
Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and abnormal heart rhythm. Dark and baking chocolate are worst. (ASPCA)
- NoSugar-free desserts, gum and candy (xylitol)
Xylitol can cause low blood sugar, liver failure and death in dogs. (ASPCA, AVMA)
- NoRaw bread or roll dough
Rises in the stomach and produces alcohol. A true emergency. (ASPCA, AVMA)
- NoCake or cookie batter
Raw eggs may carry salmonella. (ASPCA, Texas A&M)
- NoHam
Salty, fatty and often glazed with sugar. (AKC)
- NoAlcohol
Absorbed fast; can cause vomiting, tremors and death. (ASPCA)
- NoMacadamia nuts
Weakness, vomiting, tremors and fever in dogs. (ASPCA)
- A littleMilk, cream and cheese plates
Many pets cannot digest milk sugar; expect diarrhea. (ASPCA)
- NoLilies in centerpieces (cats)
Many lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. Keep them out of a home with cats. (ASPCA)
- NoString, foil and plastic wrap from the roast
Smells like meat and can block the gut. Bag it with the carcass. (AVMA)
Not on our list. When in doubt, leave it off your pet’s plate, and call your vet if they already ate it.
A safe Thanksgiving plate for your dog
If you want your dog to join in, set aside a small portion before you season or butter anything:
- A few bites of plain, fully cooked turkey breast, no skin and no bones
- Plain steamed green beans
- A cube of plain cooked sweet potato
- A spoonful of plain canned pumpkin (100% pumpkin, not pie filling)
Keep it small. Texas A&M veterinarian Dr. Stacy Eckman notes that the more a food differs from your pet’s regular diet, the more likely it is to upset the stomach. A lick mat with a spoon of pumpkin keeps a dog busy during dinner without any risky leftovers.
Why table scraps cause the most problems
| Problem | What causes it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pancreatitis | Fatty food: turkey skin, drippings, gravy, buttery sides | The ASPCA and AVMA warn that high-fat food can inflame the pancreas, which is painful and can need hospital care. |
| Blockage or injury | Bones, corn cobs, roast string and wrappers | Bones can choke or splinter; swallowed objects can block the gut and need surgery. |
| Poisoning | Onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol | Damage to red blood cells, kidneys or liver, or dangerously low blood sugar, depending on the food. |
| Bloat and alcohol | Raw yeast dough | The dough keeps rising in the warm stomach and makes alcohol as it ferments. |
Cats are different
- Onions and garlic are worse for cats. The ASPCA notes cats are more susceptible to the red-blood-cell damage than dogs, and onion powder hides in gravy, stuffing and broth.
- Lilies are the biggest risk on the table. Many lilies in fall bouquets can cause kidney failure in cats. Choose another flower.
- String and ribbon. The roast string that smells of turkey is as tempting to a cat as ribbon. Put it straight in a closed trash can.
- A bite of plain cooked turkey is fine for most cats; skip the skin and gravy.
Guests, trash and the kitchen
- Tell guests the rule: no feeding the pets. The AVMA suggests asking everyone to follow it.
- Empty the trash during the day or keep it behind a closed door, as the ASPCA recommends. It fills up with bones, chocolate and onions.
- Guests’ medication belongs in a closed bag up high, not on a nightstand or in a coat pocket.
- Give your pet a quiet room with a bed and water if the crowd is too much.
- Watch the front door. Guests coming and going make it easy for a dog to slip out; check that ID tags and microchip details are current.
- Clear plates and counters as soon as people finish eating.
Thanksgiving helpers we would buy
Affiliate note: some links in this guide go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We choose products for fit, safety and specifications, not for the commission.
Pressure-mounted, 29–36.5″ wide, with a small pet door.
Check on AmazonSpread plain pumpkin on it for a slow, safe treat.
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How we chose
- Each pick solves one of the problems above: keeping a dog out of the kitchen, keeping it busy while people eat, and keeping bones and scraps out of reach.
- We favored long-running, widely bought products with a large volume of owner feedback, and read the complaints as closely as the praise.
- We checked each listing on October 17, 2026 for U.S. availability.
- We have not tested these products with our own pets. Picks are based on specifications and owner feedback.
Keep out of the kitchen: Carlson Extra Wide Walk-Thru Gate
A metal, pressure-mounted gate with a walk-through door for people and a small pet door for cats or small dogs. It fits openings from 29 to 36.5 inches.
- Cooks walk through; the dog stays out of reach of the counter and the trash.
- Comes down after the holiday.
- Downside: Measure first: wider openings need an extension kit, and a cat or a determined jumper can still go over.
Skip it if your kitchen has a door you can simply close.
Check it on AmazonBusy during dinner: LickiMat Classic Buddy
A flexible mat with a textured surface. Spread a thin layer of plain pumpkin or your dog’s wet food on it and licking it clean takes a while.
- Keeps a dog occupied in its own space while people eat.
- Cheap and easy to clean.
- Downside: Not for unsupervised chewing; heavy chewers need the thicker Tuff version.
Skip it if your dog chews mats instead of licking them.
Check it on AmazonBones and scraps: iTouchless 13 Gallon Dog-Proof Trash Can
A stainless steel sensor can with a lid lock meant to stop pets from opening it. The lid opens with a wave of the hand while you cook.
- A locked lid between your dog and the turkey carcass.
- Useful all year, not just on holidays.
- Downside: A big dog can still knock a light can over; put it in a corner or behind the gate.
Skip it if your trash already lives in a closed cabinet.
Check it on AmazonThanksgiving day plan
Before the guests arrive
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Sources
- ASPCA: Thanksgiving safety tips that will keep your pets feeling thankful (November 20, 2025)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People foods to avoid feeding your pets
- AVMA: Holiday pet safety
- AKC: Which Thanksgiving foods can I give my dog? (updated November 10, 2025)
- Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine: Pet Talk, Thanksgiving pet safety
- ASPCA: Holiday safety tips (lilies and cats)
- PDSA: Dog has half of his intestines removed after swallowing corn on the cob
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Yes, a few bites of plain, fully cooked, boneless and skinless turkey are fine for most dogs. The ASPCA says any turkey you share should be boneless and fully cooked. Skip the skin, drippings and gravy, which are fatty and can trigger pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat turkey bones?
No. Cooked and raw poultry bones can cause choking, splinter in the mouth or gut, and cause blockages that need surgery. Bag the carcass and take it outside right after dinner.
Is stuffing bad for dogs?
Yes. Stuffing is usually made with onion and garlic, which can damage red blood cells, plus butter and sometimes raisins. Keep it off your pet’s plate.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes?
Plain sweet potato and a bite of plain boiled or baked potato are fine. Mashed potatoes usually have butter, cream and sometimes garlic, and sweet potato casserole has sugar and marshmallows, so skip those.
Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?
No. Pie has sugar and spices, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol, which is very dangerous for dogs. A spoonful of plain canned pumpkin is a safe alternative.
What should I do if my dog ate something on the no list?
Call your veterinarian, an emergency clinic, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away. A fee may apply. Do not wait for symptoms, and do not make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to.
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