Short answer: Dogs can share a few plain Thanksgiving foods: a small amount of cooked, boneless, skinless turkey with no seasoning, plain sweet potato, plain potato, plain green beans, plain peas, apple slices and pure pumpkin. Skip turkey bones and skin, gravy, stuffing, casseroles, desserts, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol, raw dough and alcohol.
Thanksgiving foods dogs can eat
Serve these plain and in small amounts. The easiest trick, suggested by the AKC: set a portion aside before butter, salt, sauces or toppings go on.
| Food | How to serve it |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Cooked, unseasoned meat only. No skin, no bones. |
| Sweet potatoes | Plain mashed. No brown sugar, marshmallows or maple syrup. |
| Potatoes | Plain boiled or baked. No butter, cream, onion or garlic. |
| Green beans | Plain, set aside before toppings. |
| Peas | Plain, in moderation. No creamed peas. |
| Apples | Fresh slices, cut away from the core. Not apple pie. |
| Pumpkin | Pure pumpkin puree only. Not pie filling or pumpkin pie. |
Keep it small: treats should stay a small part of your dog’s daily food, and rich holiday meals are a common cause of upset stomachs.
Thanksgiving foods dogs should not eat
- Turkey bones: can splinter and cause choking or blockages. See can dogs eat chicken bones? for what to do if one is swallowed.
- Turkey skin, fat, gravy, sauces and stuffing: the AVMA warns fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, even in small amounts.
- Onions, scallions and garlic: toxic to dogs, and common in stuffing, gravy and casseroles. See onions and garlic.
- Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney failure. See grapes.
- Chocolate: see my dog ate chocolate: what to do.
- Desserts and sugar-free treats: pies, cookies and anything with xylitol. See xylitol poisoning in dogs.
- Raw yeast dough: can expand in the stomach and produce alcohol.
- Raw or undercooked turkey and cake batter: the ASPCA notes they can carry Salmonella.
- Ham and alcohol.
Don’t forget the trash and the table
- Trash: tie up the turkey carcass, bones and scraps and keep them in a closed container or behind a closed door. The ASPCA suggests emptying the trash during the day.
- Decorations: the AVMA warns that corn cobs, pine cones and gourds can cause choking or blockages, and that some holiday plants, such as hydrangeas, are toxic. See our plants toxic to pets list.
- Guests: pets can slip out when doors open. Check that ID tags and microchip details are up to date, and give nervous pets a quiet room or crate.
What about cats?
The same rules apply: a small bite of plain, boneless, cooked turkey is fine, but keep cats away from onions, garlic, gravy, bones and desserts. Lilies in holiday bouquets are extremely dangerous for cats. See are lilies poisonous to cats?
If your pet eats something they shouldn’t
Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic right away, without waiting for symptoms. You can also call:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
A fee may apply.
Sources
- AKC: Can Dogs Eat Thanksgiving Dinner? Safe and Unsafe Holiday Foods
- AVMA: Thanksgiving pet safety
- ASPCA: Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Last checked: November 14, 2026. General information, not veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat Thanksgiving turkey?
A small amount of cooked, unseasoned turkey meat is fine. Remove the skin and bones, and skip gravy and stuffing.
Can dogs eat pumpkin pie?
No. Pumpkin pie can contain sugar, spices and sometimes xylitol. Plain pure pumpkin puree is the safe option.
Can dogs eat stuffing?
No. Stuffing usually contains onions, garlic and fat, which can be toxic or cause pancreatitis.