Thanksgiving With Your Pets

The holidays are a time for gathering, gratitude, and great food — and here in Pensacola, our pets are right there celebrating with us. That turkey smell alone is enough to pull any dog into the kitchen and have the cat demanding a share.

Sharing a little from the table can be a fun part of the day, but not everything on your Thanksgiving spread is safe for pets. Here's how to keep your dog or cat happy, healthy, and out of trouble this holiday.

Before You Feed From the Table

According to veterinarian Malia Friesen, writing for PetMD, feeding pets from the table affects more than just their waistline. It can also set habits that are hard to undo.

A single taste often turns into a routine. Just as your dog has trained you to open the door when he barks, he can quickly train you to hand over food every time he smells something you're eating. It's easier to never start a habit than to break one.

Why Restraint Matters

Table scraps can expose pets to foods that are harmless to us but toxic to them.
Once pets get a taste for people food, some refuse their own kibble entirely or become picky about it.
Certain rich or fatty items can trigger painful conditions like pancreatitis.

10 Thanksgiving Foods Pets Can Enjoy

Prepared simply and in small amounts, several holiday staples make safe treats. The key is to set portions aside before adding butter, sugar, or spices.

Turkey: Remove all fat, skin, and bones. Skip meat roasted with spices, and never feed the skin — it can cause pancreatitis.
Sweet potatoes: A better pick than regular potatoes, which contain solanine. Offer them plain, before the sugar and butter of candied yams, advises Dr. Gary Richter.
Pumpkin: Great for digestion, skin, and coat. If using canned, make sure it's pure pumpkin, not pre-spiced pie mix.
Carrots: A year-round favorite. Set aside a few washed pieces with no added ingredients.
Green beans: Nutritious and safe — just reserve some cooked beans before making the casserole.
Corn off the cob: Fine for dogs in small amounts (avoid feeding cats). Never give corn cobs, which can cause dangerous blockages.
Bread: Okay in moderation, but go lightly — yeast can cause bloating and gas.
Apple slices: Fresh apple is fine, but remove the core and seeds, which contain trace arsenic. Keep the pie for your guests.
Cranberries: Plain cranberries are fine for dogs (not cats), but skip the sugary cranberry sauce.
Banana: Fresh or frozen slices make a great dessert — just not the banana pudding.

10 Foods to Keep Away From Your Pet

Some Thanksgiving favorites are genuinely dangerous. If a recipe calls for sugar or the items below, don't share it with your pet.

Alcohol: Can cause vomiting, poor coordination, breathing trouble, tremors, coma, and death.
Chocolate: Contains methylxanthines that can trigger vomiting, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and death — even a single piece.
Grapes and raisins: Contain an unidentified toxin linked to sudden kidney failure.
Onions and chives: Highly toxic; don't allow even a small lick.
Garlic: Also dangerous, especially for cats, though dogs are vulnerable too.
Nuts (except cashews): Macadamias are especially risky; high fat can cause digestive upset or pancreatitis.
Milk and dairy: Pets lack enough lactase to digest dairy, leading to stomach upset.
Raw or undercooked meat and eggs: Risk of salmonella and E. coli — cook thoroughly.
Candy and sweets: Sugar-free items may contain xylitol, which can be fatal within hours.
Caffeine: Can cause hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, tremors, seizures, and death within a couple of hours.

Know the Warning Signs

If you suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, act quickly. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control resources can help you determine next steps, and your veterinarian should be contacted right away. For a deeper look at safe holiday sharing, the AKC's guide to Thanksgiving foods for dogs is a helpful reference.

A Happy, Healthy Holiday for Everyone

Whether you're hosting a full family gathering or enjoying a quiet day with just your pet, a little wisdom goes a long way. Serve safe treats in moderation, keep the danger list out of reach, and everyone at the table can enjoy the day.

Thinking about adding a furry family member before the holidays? Come meet our available puppies at Petland Pensacola, explore the dog breeds we carry, and ask our team about financing and payment options to bring your new best friend home.