If your dog has figured out that Thanksgiving means a full kitchen and distracted people, you’re probably already getting the stare. Maybe the head-on-the-knee routine. Possibly a very convincing impression of a dog who hasn’t eaten since August.
Here’s the thing: most of the Thanksgiving foods dogs can eat are already on your table. Turkey, sweet potato, green beans and pumpkin all show up in good dog food. The trouble is the holiday version, with its butter, drippings, onion, garlic, sugar and bones.
Think of it as plain vs. the holiday version. Plain food is usually fine in small amounts, and the holiday version causes most of the trouble. I’ve gone through the whole table below, dish by dish, plus what to do if your dog already helped themselves.
Quick answer
Plain, boneless, skinless turkey, plain pumpkin, plain sweet potato and plain green beans are fine for most healthy dogs in small amounts. Cooked bones, stuffing, gravy, onion, garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol, alcohol and raw bread dough are not. If it’s seasoned, buttered or sauced, skip it. If your dog already ate something on the no list, call your vet or a pet poison line before symptoms start.
🚨 Already Ate Something?
Stay calm and gather three details. They’re the first things a vet or poison line will ask:
- What they ate, including ingredients if you know them (onion in the stuffing, sugar-free filling in the pie).
- How much, and roughly when.
- Your dog’s weight.
Then call. Don’t wait for symptoms.
Your own vet
Call first if they’re open.
Don’t make your dog throw up unless a vet or poison line tells you to.
The good news is that most of the Thanksgiving table is fine for dogs once you take out the butter, onion and bones. Below you’ll find every dish at a glance, the five things that make holiday food risky, a food-by-food breakdown and a simple dog-safe plate you can put together while the turkey rests.
If your dog has already been into something, skip straight to the answers for a turkey bone, a corn cob or pumpkin pie, or to the signs to watch for after dinner.
What Can Dogs Eat on Thanksgiving? The Table at a Glance
Green means fine in small, plain amounts for most healthy dogs. Amber means a little, with a catch, or skip it. Red means no.
Nearly every yes on that table is a plain ingredient, and nearly every no is a finished holiday dish. The five risks below explain why, so you can judge the dishes that aren’t on the list, like your aunt’s mystery casserole.
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can’t Eat: What Makes Holiday Food Risky?
Almost every “no” on that table comes back to one of the five big risks. Once you know them, you can judge any dish a guest brings, even ones I didn’t list.
- Fat. Turkey skin, drippings, ham, butter and gravy are rich, and fatty food is a common trigger for pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas (ASPCA, Merck Veterinary Manual). It doesn’t always show up right away.
- Onion and garlic. Raw, cooked or powdered, they can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia (ASPCA). Chives, leeks and shallots count too, and they hide in stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and casseroles.
- Cooked bones. Cooking makes bones brittle. They break into sharp pieces that can get stuck in the throat, stomach or intestines, or injure the gut on the way through (FDA).
- Xylitol. This sweetener shows up in some sugar-free pies, baked goods, marshmallows and peanut butters. In dogs it can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage (ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline).
- Grapes and raisins. They’re linked to kidney injury, and no one knows how much it takes, so treat any amount as a reason to call (ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline). Check stuffing, breads, salads and trail mix.
Two more belong on the list. Raw yeast dough keeps rising in a warm stomach, and the yeast makes alcohol as it goes. Alcohol itself (wine, eggnog, rum cake) is absorbed quickly, so it needs fast action (ASPCA).
A bite of plain turkey is fine. The trouble starts when one dish stacks several of these together, and stuffing and gravy are the worst offenders for that.
Can Dogs Eat Thanksgiving Turkey and Ham?
Can Dogs Eat Thanksgiving Turkey?
Yes, a small amount of plain, cooked, boneless turkey with the skin removed is fine for most healthy dogs. The ASPCA calls a small piece of boneless turkey a fine treat. White meat is the leanest pick.
The holiday bird is the problem. It’s been rubbed with butter, salted, stuffed with onion and garlic and basted in its own fat. Skip anything from the outside of the bird or the bottom of the pan, and skip raw or undercooked turkey, which can carry salmonella (ASPCA).
The safe way to share: pull a few pieces from the inside of the breast before anything goes on the table, and set them aside on a dog-only plate.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Skin?
No. Turkey skin is mostly fat, plus whatever butter, salt and seasoning went on the bird, and that often includes onion or garlic. It’s the classic setup for an upset stomach or pancreatitis.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones or Ham Bones?
No cooked bones, ever. That includes drumsticks, necks, wings, the wishbone, the carcass and ham bones. Cooked bones are brittle and break into sharp pieces that can cause choking, mouth injuries, blockages or tears in the gut (FDA).
Most bone trouble happens after dinner, when the carcass goes into a kitchen trash bag. FYI, the FDA specifically warns about dogs helping themselves to the turkey carcass in the trash, so I’d take that bag straight outside. For everyday chewing, here’s our guide to safer bones and chews.
My Dog Ate a Turkey Bone. What Now?
Call your vet for advice, even if your dog seems fine. Don’t try to make your dog throw it up unless a vet tells you to. A stuck bone doesn’t always cause signs right away (FDA), so keep a close eye on them and call back if you see vomiting, straining to poop, a painful belly or not eating.
Can Dogs Eat Ham?
Skip the ham. It’s cured, so it’s very salty, and it’s fatty enough to raise the risk of pancreatitis. Honey and brown sugar glazes add sugar on top, and some include spices or garlic. Same reasoning as our can dogs eat bacon guide.
My Dog Ate Ham. Should I Worry?
One small piece of plain ham is unlikely to be an emergency for most healthy dogs, though it may upset their stomach. A slab of glazed ham, the bone or a dog with a history of pancreatitis is a different story. Call your vet in those cases and watch for the signs below.
Can Dogs Eat Thanksgiving Side Dishes?
Most sides start out dog-friendly and then get the holiday treatment. Here’s how each one shakes out.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?
Plain cooked potato, yes. Holiday mashed potatoes, no. They usually come with butter, milk or cream, salt and often garlic. Instant mashed potatoes aren’t any better, since many mixes are salty and some include dairy or onion and garlic powder.
The safe way to share: scoop out a spoonful of plain boiled potato, peeled, before the butter goes in. Skip loaded potato skins, which come with butter, cheese, bacon and salt.
Can Dogs Eat Gravy?
Not your gravy. Turkey gravy is made from fatty drippings, salt and usually onion or garlic, and gravy made from bouillon cubes is very high in sodium (ASPCA). Mushroom gravy adds butter and often onion. Our can dogs eat mushrooms guide covers the mushroom side.
Make theirs instead. Our homemade dog gravy recipe uses unsalted broth with no onion, garlic or salt, and it’s the most popular recipe on DogVills. A drizzle over plain potato is the dog-safe way to do mashed potatoes and gravy.
Can Dogs Eat Stuffing or Dressing?
No stuffing, from a box or from scratch. Stuffing combines most of the risky list in one dish: onion, garlic, butter, salt and sometimes raisins or nuts. Stove Top, cornbread dressing and stuffing cooked inside the bird all fall into the same category.
Curious about the herbs? Here’s our take on sage for dogs. The onion, garlic and butter are the bigger concern.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes or Sweet Potato Casserole?
Plain cooked sweet potato, yes. The casserole, no. Plain baked or boiled sweet potato is one of the best things on the table for dogs. The casserole adds butter, brown sugar, pecans and marshmallows. If any part of it is sugar-free, check the label for xylitol.
The safe way to share: set aside a spoonful of peeled, mashed sweet potato before the toppings go on.
Can Dogs Eat Green Beans or Green Bean Casserole?
Plain green beans, yes. Green bean casserole, no. The casserole gets its flavor from fried onions and cream of mushroom soup, which bring onion, salt and fat. Canned green beans are fine if they say “no salt added,” or rinse regular ones well.
The safe way to share: a few steamed or plain canned green beans, cut into bite-size pieces for small dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cranberry Sauce?
A few plain cranberries, yes. Cranberry sauce, skip it. Homemade, canned or jellied, the sauce is mostly sugar, and some homemade versions add orange liqueur or raisins. Dried cranberries are usually sweetened, and salads and trail mixes often pair them with raisins. More ideas in our safe fruits for dogs guide.
Can Dogs Eat Mac and Cheese?
Skip it. Mac and cheese is dairy, butter and salt, and dogs don’t make much of the enzyme that breaks down lactose, so dairy can cause diarrhea and an upset stomach (ASPCA). Some baked recipes add onion or garlic powder too. One stray noodle off the floor isn’t a crisis, but a bowlful can mean a rough night.
Can Dogs Eat Corn on the Cob?
Plain corn kernels, yes. The cob, never. Dogs tend to swallow chunks of cob, which don’t break down. Those pieces can get stuck in the intestines and may need surgery to remove (Pet Poison Helpline).
Cobs are a classic after-dinner trash find, mostly because they smell like butter and take a long time to chew, which makes them very attractive to a dog with a plan. Bin them somewhere your dog can’t reach.
My Dog Ate a Corn Cob but Is Pooping. Is That OK?
Call your vet anyway, even if your dog is pooping and seems fine. A dog can poop normally while a piece of cob is still working its way through, and signs of a blockage don’t always show right away. Don’t make your dog throw up unless a vet tells you to. Watch for vomiting, not eating, straining to poop, a sore belly or low energy.
Can Dogs Eat Deviled Eggs?
Skip the deviled eggs, but a plain cooked egg is fine. The filling is mayo, mustard, salt, paprika and sometimes onion or relish. A plain hard-boiled or scrambled egg with nothing added makes a good protein treat instead.
Can Dogs Eat Dinner Rolls or Bread Dough?
A small bite of plain baked bread is fine for most dogs. It’s just empty calories. Skip garlic butter rolls, sweet Hawaiian rolls, cinnamon rolls with icing and any bread with raisins baked in.
Raw yeast dough is a call-now situation. Unbaked dough keeps rising in a warm stomach, which causes painful gas and bloating, and the yeast makes alcohol as it ferments (ASPCA). If your dog eats rising dough, call your vet or a poison line right away. Raw batter made with raw eggs can carry salmonella too (ASPCA).
Rolls rising on the counter are at perfect nose height for a lot of dogs. Let dough rise somewhere they can’t reach, like a high shelf or an oven that’s turned off.
Can Dogs Eat Thanksgiving Desserts?
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Pie?
Plain canned pumpkin, yes. Pumpkin pie, no. Pie has sugar, butter, evaporated milk and spice, and some sugar-free pies use xylitol. The bit of nutmeg in a slice is very unlikely to cause serious problems (Pet Poison Helpline), so the sugar, fat and possible xylitol are the real reasons to skip it.
One label to check: pumpkin pie filling and 100% pure pumpkin purée sit side by side on the shelf and look almost identical. Pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, so look for “100% pumpkin” before you share.
The safe way to share: a spoonful of 100% pure canned pumpkin, or bake a batch of our cinnamon pumpkin dog treats. Here’s more on cinnamon for dogs.
My Dog Ate Pumpkin Pie. What Should I Do?
First, check whether it was sugar-free or had chocolate on it. If either is possible, call your vet or a poison line now. A slice of pie means something very different to a Chihuahua than to a Lab. A slice of regular pie will often just mean an upset stomach, but call your vet if your dog is small, ate a lot or has a history of pancreatitis, and watch for the signs below.
Can Dogs Eat Pecan Pie?
No. Pecan pie is mostly sugar, corn syrup and butter, and pecans are high in fat, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis (ASPCA). Our what nuts can dogs eat guide covers the full list.
Can Dogs Eat Apple Pie?
Skip the pie, share the apple. Apple pie has sugar, butter and spice. A few slices of fresh apple with the core and seeds removed make a good swap. See our apples guide for prep tips.
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Desserts?
No chocolate. It contains theobromine, which dogs can’t process well, and the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is (ASPCA). Baking chocolate and dark chocolate pies are the worst offenders. If your dog gets into some, note the type, the amount and your dog’s weight, then call your vet or a poison line.
What Non-Food Thanksgiving Hazards Should I Watch For?
Vets see these every year. Most of them smell like turkey, which is exactly why dogs go for them.
- Turkey twine and string, soaked in drippings and easy to swallow
- Foil, plastic wrap and oven bags, licked clean and then eaten
- Pop-up timers, skewers and toothpicks from the bird and the appetizers
- Guests’ purses and coats, which can hold medications, so keep them up and out of reach (ASPCA)
- The trash can. Take the bag outside right after dinner. Some dogs consider a trash can lid more of a suggestion.
How Do I Share Thanksgiving Food with My Dog Safely?
A Thanksgiving treat is a few small bites, not a plate (no matter how convincing the eyebrows are). The ASPCA recommends keeping your dog’s diet the same as any other day, and keeping extras small is how I’d play it.
- Set aside the dog’s portion first, before anything gets seasoned, buttered or sauced.
- Serve it in their own bowl, mixed into their regular food. Feeding from the table trains the stare, and the stare is very effective.
- Pick one person to be in charge of the dog, so they don’t get “a little bit” from every guest.
- Stick to foods your dog has eaten before. A brand-new food on a busy day is a gamble.
- Keep plates off low coffee tables and chairs, and the carcass out of reach.
Who should skip the extras: dogs with a history of pancreatitis, dogs on a prescription diet and dogs with a sensitive stomach or another medical condition. Check with your vet first.
What Signs Should I Watch for After the Big Meal?
Some problems show up right away. Pancreatitis and blockages can take longer, so keep an eye on your dog over the next day or two.
Call your vet if you notice any of these after holiday food:
- Vomiting more than once, or retching with nothing coming up
- Diarrhea, especially with blood
- A hunched back or a tender belly
- Not eating, or unusual tiredness
- Straining to poop, or no poop after eating a bone or cob
- Drooling, wobbliness, tremors or restlessness
These line up with the common signs of pancreatitis and blockages. Most dogs who sneak a bite of something rich just end up with a gassy evening, but these are the ones worth a phone call.
Get Help Now
- Collapse or sudden weakness
- A swollen, hard belly
- Trouble breathing
- You know or suspect they ate xylitol, grapes or raisins, chocolate, raw dough or alcohol
Call your vet or an emergency clinic on the way. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661.
Not sure whether your dog is hurting? Here’s how to tell if your dog is in pain.
How Do I Keep My Dog Safe with Guests and Open Doors?
Let’s be honest: the food is only half of it. Every Thanksgiving has at least one guest who “only gave him a little piece.” Several times. A full house also means more noise, more coats on the floor and more doors left open.
- Set a no-feeding rule and tell guests when they arrive, kids especially. A dog-only treat jar by the door lets people still feel helpful.
- Make a quiet room with water, a bed and a chew, away from the action. The ASPCA suggests giving your dog a quiet space to retreat to. For noise-sensitive dogs, our Snuggle Puppy comparison covers a few calming options.
- Watch the doors. Check the yard gate before people arrive and make sure ID tags are on and up to date.
How Do I Make My Dog Their Own Thanksgiving Dinner?
The easiest way to include your dog is a Thanksgiving dinner for dogs built from the same ingredients as yours, set aside before the holiday extras go in. The ASPCA suggests mixing a few pieces of turkey, sweet potato and green beans into your dog’s usual dinner.
01
Turkey
Before seasoning the bird, cook a piece of turkey breast on its own with nothing on it. Remove the skin and any bones, then shred it.
02
Sweet potato or pumpkin
Peel and boil or bake a sweet potato and mash it plain, or use a spoonful of 100% pure canned pumpkin.
03
Green beans
Steam fresh beans, or rinse no-salt-added canned ones, then chop them small.
04
Build the plate
Mix a little of each into their regular dinner and add a drizzle of dog-safe gravy if you like. Think a few bites, not a second meal.
No butter, salt, oil or seasoning on any of it. For the gravy, use our homemade dog gravy, and for dessert, the cinnamon pumpkin dog treats take care of the pie situation.
Want to bake something for them too? These DogVills recipes all use plain, dog-safe ingredients:
- Thanksgiving dog treat recipe
- Homemade turkey treats for dogs
- Cinnamon pumpkin dog treats
- Sweet potato dog treats
If your dog loves their holiday plate so much that regular kibble suddenly seems like a letdown, you’re not alone. That’s usually the point where people start looking at fresh food.
Want to Share Real Food Without the Leftovers?
A complete fresh dog food gets real meat and vegetables into the bowl without the butter, onion and salt. It’s also balanced for dogs, which a plate of scraps never is.
Our pick for the holiday
Freshpet
Refrigerated fresh recipes with real meat and vegetables, easy to find in grocery store fridges and also available for delivery.
Also good
Golden Child
Fresh-cooked meals with whole pieces of real meat, delivered to your door. A good fit for picky eaters.
DogVills is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Thanksgiving Food for Dogs: FAQ
What can dogs eat on Thanksgiving?
Dogs can eat small amounts of plain, unseasoned Thanksgiving foods: boneless, skinless turkey breast, plain sweet potato, plain canned pumpkin, plain green beans, plain cooked potato, corn kernels off the cob and a few plain cranberries or apple slices.
What should you not feed a dog on Thanksgiving?
Don’t feed dogs cooked bones, turkey skin, gravy, stuffing, ham, casseroles, raw dough or desserts. Skip anything with onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol or alcohol, and anything buttered, sauced or heavily seasoned.
Can my dog eat some Thanksgiving turkey?
Yes, a little plain, cooked, boneless turkey with no skin is fine for most healthy dogs. Take it from the inside of the breast, away from the seasoned outside.
How much turkey can I give my dog?
Think a few small bites as a treat, not a meal, mixed into their regular food. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, a history of pancreatitis or another medical condition, ask your vet first.
Can dogs eat turkey bones? What if my dog already ate one?
No, cooked turkey bones splinter. If your dog already ate one, call your vet, don’t make your dog vomit unless the vet says to and watch for vomiting, straining, a painful belly or not eating.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes and gravy?
Plain cooked potato, yes. Holiday mashed potatoes and gravy, no, because they bring butter, salt, onion and garlic. A drizzle of dog-safe homemade gravy over plain potato is the safe version.
Can dogs eat stuffing?
No. Stuffing nearly always contains onion and garlic, plus butter, salt and sometimes raisins. Boxed stuffing like Stove Top is no safer.
Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?
No, but plain canned pumpkin is a great swap. If your dog already ate pie, call your vet if it was sugar-free (possible xylitol) or had chocolate, or if your dog is small and ate a lot.
Can dogs eat ham?
It’s best to skip it. Ham is very salty and fatty, and cooked ham bones splinter just like turkey bones.
My dog ate a corn cob but is pooping. Is that OK?
Call your vet anyway. Cob pieces can cause a blockage that doesn’t show up right away, even in a dog who is still pooping. Don’t make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Can dogs eat dinner rolls or raw dough?
A small bite of plain baked roll is fine. Raw yeast dough is never OK, so call your vet or a poison line right away if your dog eats it.
What is a good Thanksgiving dinner for dogs?
Plain cooked turkey breast, plain sweet potato or canned pumpkin and plain green beans, mixed into their normal food with no butter, salt or seasoning. A drizzle of dog-safe gravy makes it feel like a holiday.
Keep Reading
Sources
- ASPCA: Thanksgiving Safety Tips
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version): Pancreatitis in Dogs
- Pet Poison Helpline: Table Food Dogs Should Not Eat
- Pet Poison Helpline: Nutmeg and Cinnamon Toxicity
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Keep Your Dogs and Cats Safe From Holiday Hazards
This guide is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you think your dog ate something harmful, contact your vet or a poison control line right away.
