A Non-Toxic, Wellness-Focused Holiday Guide by Privé Pet

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, feast, celebrate, and enjoy the comfort of great food with the ones you love. And for most pet parents, our dogs and cats sit right at the center of that cozy holiday magic. Toy-to-medium-sized dogs, especially, are often nestled on our laps waiting for a taste of whatever delicious smells are drifting across the table.

But not every Thanksgiving dish is safe for pets — and some classic holiday foods can be extremely toxic, inflammatory, or even life-threatening.

This guide breaks down exactly which holiday foods dogs and cats can enjoy in moderation, and which foods should be kept far away from their bowls. You’ll also learn why certain ingredients are harmful (or healthy), so you can make confident, vet-informed decisions during the holidays.

Why Thanksgiving Foods Are Tricky for Pets

Thanksgiving isn’t dangerous because the food is inherently bad — it’s because most dishes include ingredients dogs and cats aren’t built to digest.

Two major risks stand out:

1. High-Fat, Rich Foods Can Cause Pancreatitis

Turkey skin, gravy, buttery stuffing, fatty dark meat, charcuterie, and rich desserts can trigger acute pancreatitis, especially in:

• senior dogs
• toy-breed dogs (very susceptible!)
• dogs with sensitive stomachs
• overweight pets

When a dog eats too much fat, the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing vomiting, diarrhea, pain, dehydration, and in severe cases, hospitalization.

Cats can also get pancreatitis from rich foods.

2. Many Holiday Ingredients Are Toxic

Thanksgiving dishes often contain hidden toxic ingredients:

• onions, garlic, shallots (allium family)
• nutmeg
• raisins & grapes
• chocolate
• xylitol (in sugar-free desserts)
• alcohol
• bones
• chives and leeks

Even small amounts can be dangerous.

🦃

Safe Thanksgiving Foods Dogs & Cats Can Eat

These foods are safe only when plain, unseasoned, and offered in small amounts.

✔️

1. Lean, White Turkey Meat (No Skin, No Bones)

Why it’s safe:

• High-quality, lean protein
• Easy to digest
• Encourages muscle maintenance (great for small breeds)

Why no skin or dark meat?

Turkey skin, drippings, and fatty dark meat contain large amounts of fat, which can easily trigger pancreatitis, especially in small dogs.

Never feed cooked bones.

They splinter easily and can cause:

• choking
• intestinal perforation
• emergency surgery

✔️

2. Plain Pumpkin or Unsweetened Sweet Potato

Why it’s safe:

• High in fiber → helps digestion
• Low-calorie treat
• Contains vitamins A & C

Avoid:

• pumpkin pie
• candied yams
• sweet potato casserole
• anything with sugar, butter, marshmallows, or spices

✔️

3. Plain Green Beans

A perfect low-calorie, dog-friendly vegetable.

Avoid:

• green bean casserole (onions + cream of mushroom soup = toxic)

✔️

4. Plain Carrots (Cooked or Raw)

• Crunchy, low-calorie
• Great for small dogs who need a satisfying bite
• Safe for cats in very small amounts

✔️ 

5. Plain Apples (No Seeds, No Core)

Apples are rich in fiber and antioxidants. Seeds contain cyanide — always remove.

✔️

6. Fresh Cranberries (Unsweetened)

Some pets love them; others don’t. Small quantities only.

Avoid all cranberry sauces — they’re full of sugar.

❌

Thanksgiving Foods Dogs & Cats Should Never Eat

Below are the most dangerous holiday foods and why they’re toxic.

❌

1. Turkey Skin, Dark Meat, Gravy, Drippings

Why:

• Extremely high fat → triggers pancreatitis
• Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• May contain dangerous seasonings (onion, garlic, butter, salt)

❌

2. Bones (Turkey, Chicken, Ham)

Cooked poultry bones splinter and cause:

• choking
• esophageal tears
• intestinal punctures
• emergency surgery

❌

3. Stuffing

Most stuffing contains:

• onions
• garlic
• butter
• salt
• herbs not safe for pets

The allium family (onion, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives) destroys red blood cells → can cause fatal anemia.

❌

4. Mashed Potatoes, Casseroles, Creamy Sides

Not safe because of:

• butter
• sour cream
• garlic
• chives
• heavy cream
• salt

❌

5. Chocolate Desserts, Pies, Cookies

Chocolate poisoning causes:

• tremors
• seizures
• arrhythmias
• death

Cats are less likely to eat chocolate, but dogs absolutely will.

❌ 

6. Raisins & Grapes

Even 1–2 raisins can trigger acute kidney failure in dogs.

This makes:

• stuffing
• fruitcakes
• salads
• charcuterie boards

VERY dangerous.

❌

7. Alcohol (Including Rum Cake)

Ethanol poisoning happens quickly in pets.

❌

8. Anything Sugar-Free (Especially Xylitol)

Xylitol → causes blood sugar crashes + liver failure.

Found in:

• sugar-free pies
• “light” desserts
• gum
• keto baked goods

❌

9. Ham, Sausage, Bacon

Too salty + too fatty → pancreatitis + sodium poisoning risk.

❌

10. Nutmeg (Pumpkin Pie Spice)

Nutmeg contains myristicin, which causes neurological symptoms in dogs and cats:

• tremors
• disorientation
• seizures

🥣

How to Build a Safe, Holiday-Inspired Pet Plate

Create a festive pet-friendly plate with:

• 2–3 tbsp lean turkey (no skin)
• 1 tbsp mashed plain pumpkin
• 1 tbsp plain steamed green beans
• A few bites of apple (no seeds)

This keeps fat low, nutrients balanced, and digestion easy.

🐱

Special Notes for Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores — they get little nutritional benefit from veggies or fruits.

Safe for cats in tiny amounts:

• plain turkey
• small amount of plain pumpkin
• a bite of cooked, plain sweet potato

Never feed:

• dairy
• any allium ingredient
• fat/skin
• desserts

🚨

Signs Your Pet Ate Something Dangerous

Contact your vet or emergency clinic immediately if you see:

• vomiting or diarrhea
• excessive drooling
• weakness or collapse
• refusal to eat
• bloated abdomen
• shaking or tremors
• pale gums
• sudden behavior change
• difficulty breathing

Time matters. Early treatment saves lives.

Non-Toxic, Wellness-Focused Holiday Tips

Align this with Privé Pet’s positioning:

1. Keep trash secured

Dogs LOVE turkey carcasses.

2. Create a safe holiday zone

Use your Privé Pet carrier, calming bed, or cozy corner.

3. Give healthy distractions

A holiday toy or enrichment puzzle keeps pets out of trouble.

4. Stick to routine

Small dogs especially thrive on predictable meal + walk times.

✨ 

Final Thoughts

Thanksgiving is full of warmth, love, and delicious food — and with the right precautions, your dog or cat can enjoy a small, safe taste of the holiday magic too.

By choosing lean, healthy, pet-safe ingredients and avoiding toxic foods, you’re supporting your pet’s long-term wellness, digestion, and longevity — values at the heart of everything we create at Privé Pet.