Last week we posted a story outlining some common holiday foods that could be potentially harmful to your pets. Today, we want to look at Thanksgiving foods that are not only tasty, but are healthy and good for your pet. This isn’t license to give them as much of these foods as they want, but you can feel comfortable sliding a little under the table for your dog or cat.
Pet Friendly Thanksgiving Foods:
- Turkey: Turkey is just fine to give to your pet. As a matter of fact, it can be found in many pet foods. It is a great source of protein which is an important macronutrient for your pet. You should remove the skin as it is fatty (and calorie dense) and avoid the bones as they can splinter and cause internal damage.
- Potatoes: Potatoes are generally okay unless your recipe calls for lots of butter and/or sour cream. If so, pull a couple of plain chunks out to give your pet. Potatoes are also a food frequently found in pet foods now as an alternative to grains.
- Sweet Potatoes: Similar to mashed potatoes, avoid the butter and marshmallow topping. Sweet potatoes are a healthy tidbit for your pet from the Thanksgiving spread.
- Green Beans: Most all green vegetables are good for your pet, but as with the other human foods, steer clear of the toppings. Especially green bean casserole if made with toasted onions as onions are toxic for your pet.
- Carrots: We wrote about carrots and their benefits a few weeks ago, so they are definitely okay to give your pet, just hold the butter, salt, pepper or other seasoning.
- Cranberry sauce: While whole or dried cranberries are good for your pet and help improve their intestinal system and are full of antioxidants, be sure you don’t give them cranberry sauce laced with liquor as that is toxic.
- Pumpkin: Canned or cooked pumpkin is frequently recommended by vets as an aid in curing constipation in your pet. But feeding them pumpkin pie with the sugar, spices and buttery crust is most definitely NOT healthy. Limit your pet’s treat to just the pumpkin itself - hold the whipped cream too.
Your pets love the holiday season as much as you do. Family, friends and all of that yummy food is irresistible, but please watch what you give them and limit the volume of food they eat, so your pet don’t end up moaning and groaning on the couch like too many humans do.
Interested in making a healthy Thanksgiving treat for your pet like a pumpkin smoothie or turkey cookies? Check out these sites for some healthy, pet friendly ideas:
Additional Resources:
Food
Food
Food
