Thanksgiving dinner items that are very dangerous for dogs to eat

For most people, Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate with friends and family and indulge in traditional foods such as turkey, ham, and the much feared Brussels sprouts.

Your dog may try to give you a nibble or two in an attempt to make you feel guilty, but when giving your dog Thanksgiving spreads, consider his sensitive stomach. is important.

A dog’s digestive system is very different from ours. As such, typical human food is too expensive and fatty for dogs to digest properly, and eating it can lead to more serious conditions such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even pancreatitis.

But not all Thanksgiving foods are off your pet’s table.

Newsweek We spoke with a veterinarian to find out which Thanksgiving foods you should never give your dog, and which foods are safe for dogs to eat.

Which Thanksgiving dinner items are dangerous for dogs?

Meat and vegetables are the favorite foods of most pets, but the way they are seasoned makes them especially unhealthy for dogs. Some foods in particular are more dangerous than others. According to veterinarians, the following foods should be avoided in dogs this festive season.

1. Ham

Ham is a particularly fatty meat that can cause gastrointestinal problems and pancreatitis. In fact, many ERs are reporting a spike in cases the day after Thanksgiving because pets eat human food and get upset stomachs.

2. Meat on the bone in general

Another terrible idea is to feed your dog bones of any kind, such as turkey or ham. Newsweek We generally think of dogs as eating bones, but they can be very dangerous.

Although rare, it can also cause gastric or intestinal obstruction. More commonly, however, they can lead to esophageal obstruction, requiring urgent endoscopic removal and making diagnosis difficult.

3. Raisins/grapes/currants

These common ingredients used in a typical Thanksgiving dinner are toxic to dogs.Eating even one grape can cause acute kidney injury. If your dog has eaten grapes, you should seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible.

4. Undercooked meat

If you give your dog a particular taste of meat, turkey, or chicken, make sure it’s cooked thoroughly. Raw or undercooked meat can contain salmonella. . Dogs sick with salmonella infection usually experience diarrhea containing blood and mucus.

5. Fat scraps

Consuming fatty scraps such as meat, renderings, and butter can lead to gastrointestinal upset in many dogs and even pancreatitis in some dogs, requiring hospitalization and specialized care. In some cases, this can be life threatening.

6. Corn

Corn itself isn’t bad for dogs, but the cob can damage a dog’s digestive system and cause blockages that can lead to intestinal rupture. If you do, keep an eye on it. Symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and pain.

7. Macadamia nuts

This common holiday nut is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting and diarrhea, hind leg weakness, shivering and high fever.

8. Onions, green onions, and garlic

These Thanksgiving staples are toxic to dogs in large amounts. allium Ingestion can cause hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), which may require hospitalization or a blood transfusion.

9. Chocolate

Chocolate is a commonly known toxin for dogs, and ingestion in large amounts or in high concentrations can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, shivering, seizures, and even death.

10. Gravy

Most gravy is not safe for pets to eat, as it usually contains onions and garlic, which are toxic to both dogs and cats, even in small amounts. (including other similar vegetables) are prohibited.

However, according to Dr. Lauren Witter, senior veterinarian at New York City-based Small Door Veterinary, make your own gravy and be 100 percent sure it doesn’t contain onion or garlic and doesn’t have too much salt. If so, you can give your dog a little taste!

11. Mashed potatoes

Also, mashed potatoes usually contain too much milk or cream, and dogs are lactose intolerant, so avoid them. If you’re giving your pets sweet potatoes, make sure they don’t come with marshmallows (some contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to cats and dogs).

12. Dessert

Many desserts contain high amounts of sugar and fat and may not be ideal for sharing with pets. Hmm.

Zero-calorie sweeteners can also be toxic, so try to avoid them. is recommended.

13. Cranberry sauce and juice

Both cranberry sauce and juice are high in sugar, so avoid them in large amounts. However, while moderately plain cranberries are fine for pets, some people don’t like the sour taste, so be careful when giving your dog dry cranberries to avoid raisins or currants. Raisins and currants are often found in dried fruit packs and are toxic to pets.

14. Stuffing

Fillings are usually not safe for fur babies, as they often contain onions and garlic, and sometimes raisins and currants. If you’re 100% sure, you can give your pet a bit and they’ll probably love the taste!

What to do if your dog eats human food that’s bad for them

While the above foods make great festive treats for humans, they are not safe for pets to eat, mainly because they can pose a choking hazard and pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas that veterinarians need to address as soon as possible. The pancreas is an organ that releases enzymes that aid in digestion in dogs. If the organ is functioning, the enzymes are only activated once they reach the small intestine.

However, when a dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed, it activates enzymes as they are released, causing damage to the pancreas and surrounding tissues and other organs. It is toxic and causes extreme pain in dogs.

If your pet manages to get something they shouldn’t have, it’s important to seek veterinary help immediately, said Dr. Witter.

“If possible, try to keep a package of what your pet has eaten. See if there is a VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) nearby so you can know exactly what ingredients and amounts your pet has consumed. Please.” Excellent for emergency visits. ”

If your pet develops diarrhea or loose stools, Dr. Fox says, switching to a bland diet of boiled chicken/rice for 24 to 48 hours should hopefully resolve it. He added that if you notice that your pet is bloating, or if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, you should see a veterinarian.

“If your dog has ingested raisins/grapes, chocolate, macadamia nuts, or onions/garlic, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.”

Are vets open on Thanksgiving?

Some veterinary clinics, like Small Door, can offer 24/7 telemedicine and advice while you’re on vacation. The ASPCA also operates a 24/7 pet poisoning hotline staffed by pet toxicologists who can advise on potential poisoning situations. Their service currently costs $75 per call and can be reached at (888) 426-4435. Alternatively, you can contact Vetted Veterinary Professionals through the Vetted app.

Which Thanksgiving Foods Are Safe For Your Dog?

More complicated Thanksgiving dishes are packed with fat and seasoning, but a boneless cooked turkey or a spoonful of boiled pumpkin shouldn’t pose a problem unless you allow it. pamper.

1. unseasoned red meat

Dr. Anna Foster, member of the advisory board of veterinary app Vetted Pet Health, said: Newsweek If your dog doesn’t have a sensitive stomach, Thanksgiving options include a small amount of unseasoned chicken or turkey meat, white rice, boiled potatoes, and a small amount of plain pumpkin. Make sure the meat you give them has no skin or fat.

2. Vegetables and fruits

It’s safe to give your dog unadulterated boiled green beans or potatoes. Cut apples are also safe treats for pets. For dessert, canned pumpkin can be added to your diet as a festive treat.

Most vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes, are safe as long as they don’t have too much butter, salt, and other seasonings (such as onions and garlic). Vegetables can produce gas, so they may have a musty odor.

Most fruits are safe for dogs to eat, with the exception of grapes, raisins, and currants. Fruit makes a great and nutritious treat for your pet. Remove the kernel from the drupe and avoid feeding the apple core, as drupes are a choking hazard.

3. Salmon

Small amounts are fine for pets if salmon is part of their diet.

4. Cheese

Cheese is generally safe for pets. Since most pets are lactose intolerant, eating cheese can cause a bit of an upset stomach, so a hard cheese with less lactose is a better choice.

If your pet is eating a cheese platter, it is safe to give your pet a very small amount of cheese. However, Dr. Witter warns:

5. Pumpkin

Plain pumpkin is a safe, nutritious, high-fiber snack when fed to pets with no added ingredients. However, before giving it to your pet, make sure it is free of spices and seasonings and that it is cooked and finely chopped.

The skin, leaves, stems and seeds should also be removed as they are a choking hazard. Pumpkin pie is very high in sugar, so don’t feed your dog pumpkin pie filling.

How to keep your dog out of Thanksgiving dinner

While you need to make sure your dog doesn’t accidentally eat inappropriate food, it’s also important to warn your guests about what they can and can’t feed your dog from the plate.

For this reason, Dr. Foster suggested having healthy dog ​​treats on hand for guests to feed your dog. Alternatively, you can avoid the risk by keeping your pet in a separate room from the dining area.