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Thanksgiving at Big Dog14 days to Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, with a place set for the pack

Turkey recipes and treats for dogs and cats, harvest flavors like pumpkin and sweet potato, and a quick guide to which dishes from your table are safe to share.

Shop turkey favorites
  • Turkey picks for dogs & cats
  • Vet-sourced safety guide
  • A simple holiday bowl recipe

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Turkey dinners for dogs

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Turkey for cats

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From your Thanksgiving plate

Can my pet eat this?

Tap a dish to see whether it’s safe to share. Based on guidance from the AKC, AAHA and ASPCA — when in doubt, ask your veterinarian.

Safe — plain, in moderation

Turkey breast

Plain, cooked white meat with the skin, bones and fat removed, cut into small pieces. No seasoning, butter or gravy.

Think your pet ate something harmful? Call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply).

Read the full list
Turkey breast — Safe — plain, in moderation
Plain, cooked white meat with the skin, bones and fat removed, cut into small pieces. No seasoning, butter or gravy.
Sweet potato — Safe — plain, in moderation
Cooked and mashed on its own — no butter, sugar or marshmallows.
Green beans — Safe — plain, in moderation
Plain and steamed. Skip the casserole: it is made with cream and onions.
Pumpkin purée — Safe — plain, in moderation
100% plain canned pumpkin. Not pie filling, which adds sugar and spices like nutmeg.
Carrots — Safe — plain, in moderation
Plain, raw or cooked, cut into bite-size pieces.
Apple slices — Safe — plain, in moderation
Plain slices with the core and seeds removed.
Mashed potatoes — Only if completely plain
Plain cooked potato is fine, but holiday mash usually has butter, cream and garlic — share only an unseasoned spoonful.
Turkey skin — Keep off their plate
High in fat and often coated in butter or oil — a common trigger for pancreatitis.
Turkey bones — Keep off their plate
Cooked bones turn brittle and splinter, which can cause choking or internal injuries.
Gravy — Keep off their plate
Rich in fat and usually seasoned with onion or garlic.
Stuffing — Keep off their plate
Usually made with onions and garlic, and sometimes raisins — all harmful to pets.
Pumpkin pie — Keep off their plate
Sugar and spices like nutmeg, and sugar-free versions may contain xylitol. Offer plain pumpkin instead.
Rolls & raw dough — Keep off their plate
Raw yeast dough keeps rising in the stomach and produces alcohol as it ferments.
Grapes & raisins — Keep off their plate
Can cause kidney failure in dogs, even in small amounts.
Chocolate desserts — Keep off their plate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats — the darker, the more dangerous.

Sources: American Kennel Club · AAHA · ASPCA Animal Poison Control. This guide is general information, not veterinary advice.

Make it at home

The Thanksgiving bowl

A holiday topper made only from the safe side of the table. Sized for a medium dog — scale it down for small dogs and cats.

  • 2–3 oz plain cooked turkey breast — skinless, boneless, cut small
  • 2 tbsp steamed green beans, unseasoned
  • 2 tbsp plain mashed sweet potato
  • 1 tbsp plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling)

Cook everything plain — no butter, salt, onion or garlic — and let it cool. Spoon it over their usual food and trim the regular portion a little, since treats and toppers should stay under about 10% of the day’s calories. If your pet has a sensitive stomach or a special diet, check with your vet first.