COLUMBUS, Ohio — Thanksgiving is a time for good food and family and for many, that family includes our furry friends. Unfortunately, not all of our favorite holiday foods are safe for pets to eat. 

What You Need To Know

  • Keep it Simple: Skip anything with butter, oil or salt

  • Turkey skin and bones can cause animals to be mildly sick and can even cause pancreatitis

  • Remember, many of the foods we love like onions, raisins and grapes are poisonous to pets
 

“So it’s tempting, because food is a love language, and it’s one of the ways that we bond with our pets. But there are dangers, especially around the holidays,” said Dr. Kimberly West DVM at Health and Harmony Animal Hospital in Columbus, “We do know that high fatty foods, and honestly, just human foods in general can cause animals to be mildly sick, or even as sick as something like pancreatitis.” 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, poultry bones and skin can damage your pet’s digestive tract and holiday sweets can contain ingredients that are poisonous to pets

“We always stick with the basics that are kind of boring, but I always say that, you know, your animals might not know the difference. Let’s stick with things like fresh carrots, green beans, air pop popcorn, no butter, no salt,” said Dr. West, who encourages pet owners to feed their dogs actual dog treats rather than ham or turkey. Plain, boneless, skinless turkey is generally safe for pets in small portions.

Gravy, sauces, dressing, meat or poultry fat or skin can be hard for pets to digest and things like onions, raisins and grapes are poisonous to dogs. 

Lastly, according to the AVMA, you should also keep desserts out of reach. Although small amounts of pumpkin can be a healthy snack for pets, the ingredients in pumpkin pie can be toxic.