7 Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and great food—but not all holiday dishes are safe for your pup. Before you slip your dog a “special treat” from the dinner table, make sure you know which foods could actually harm them. While delicious Thanksgiving food is tempting for everyone, including your dog, it's important to remember that many dangerous foods are present on the holiday table and can pose serious risks to your pet.
In this article, we’ll cover:
7 Thanksgiving foods that are dangerous for dogs
Why they’re harmful and what symptoms to watch for
Safe alternatives your dog can enjoy instead
How to handle accidental ingestion
How to keep your pup healthy (and happy) this holiday season
Why Dogs and Thanksgiving Tables Don’t Mix
It’s hard to resist those puppy eyes under the dinner table—but many Thanksgiving favorites contain ingredients that can cause digestive upset or even toxicity in dogs. Many holiday meals include dangerous foods that are commonly served during festive gatherings, increasing the risk to pets. Rich, salty, and seasoned foods can trigger anything from mild stomach issues to life-threatening conditions like pancreatitis or poisoning.
Knowing what to avoid helps you keep your furry family member safe during the holiday feast. It's important to be aware of which Thanksgiving food dogs should avoid during the holiday to prevent accidental exposure to harmful ingredients.
1. Turkey Bones and Skin
Turkey itself isn’t the problem—it’s how it’s served.
Cooked bones can splinter easily and puncture your dog’s digestive tract. Feeding your dog bones or raw meat can also be dangerous, as they may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella or E. coli, and bones can pose a choking hazard.
Turkey skin is loaded with fat, seasonings, and sometimes onions or garlic—all of which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or pancreatitis. Dark meat contains more fat than white meat and can be problematic for a dog's health.
Safe alternative: Plain, cooked turkey breast (no skin or seasoning).
2. Stuffing
Stuffing is a hidden hazard packed with ingredients like onions, garlic, chives, and leeks—all toxic to dogs. These can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, weakness, and lethargy. Never let dogs eat stuffing, as even small amounts can lead to toxicity and serious health issues.
Safe alternative: Mix a small spoonful of plain, unseasoned rice or veggies into your dog’s regular food.
3. Gravy and Rich Sauces
Gravy is usually high in fat, sodium, and spices, and may contain onion or garlic powder—a double danger. High-fat foods can lead to pancreatitis, a painful and serious condition. Salty foods like gravy can produce excessive thirst and other salt toxicity clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors in dogs.
Safe alternative: Drizzle a little low-sodium, dog-safe, chicken broth on your dog’s food for flavor.
If your dog consumes salty foods, watch for excessive thirst as a warning sign of salt toxicity.
4. Mashed Potatoes
Buttery mashed potatoes are a common Thanksgiving dish, but they can be harmful to dogs. While plain potatoes aren’t toxic, mashed versions often include butter, cream, salt, and garlic. Many dogs cannot properly digest dairy products, so butter and cream can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Eating these foods can cause an upset stomach in dogs and contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Additionally, raw potatoes are unsafe for dogs due to the presence of solanine, which can cause GI issues.
Safe alternative: A spoonful of plain, peeled boiled potato or sweet potato with no seasoning is a healthy option. Avoid sweet potato casserole, as it often contains added sugars, marshmallows, or butter, which are harmful to dogs.
5. Cranberry Sauce
Cranberries themselves are fine in moderation—but cranberry sauce is often packed with sugar, raisins, or alcohol-based flavorings. While some human foods are safe for dogs in small amounts, others, like cranberry sauce containing raisins or alcohol, are not and should be strictly avoided. If a pet eats cranberry sauce with these harmful ingredients, it can lead to serious health issues such as kidney failure or worse. The type and amount of food a pet eats play a significant role in how severe the symptoms may be.
Safe alternative: A few fresh plain cranberries or blueberries for a sweet, antioxidant-rich snack.
6. Pies and Desserts
Pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies smell amazing—but they’re loaded with sugar, fat, and sometimes artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar or liver failure. Sugar-free foods and desserts containing artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, are especially dangerous for pets.
Chocolate desserts are also a major concern due to the risk of chocolate toxicity. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, baking chocolate, and other darker chocolate varieties all contain theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate have the highest concentrations and pose the greatest risk, while milk chocolate is less dangerous but still harmful, and white chocolate contains the least theobromine but should still be avoided. Ingesting chocolate desserts can quickly become a life-threatening emergency for your pet.
If your dog consumes any of these desserts, watch for clinical signs of toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, rapid heartbeat, or collapse, and seek immediate veterinary care.
When it comes to pumpkin, only pure pumpkin (100% canned pumpkin) is safe for dogs. Avoid pumpkin pie and pumpkin pie filling, as these contain added sugars, spices, and fats that can be harmful. Pure pumpkin can benefit your dog's digestive system by promoting healthy digestion and alleviating constipation.
Safe alternative: Plain canned pumpkin (100% pumpkin, not pie filling) is healthy and dog-safe in moderation. You can also offer plain green beans or green beans as a safe, low-calorie treat, but avoid green bean casserole, which often contains onions, cream, and other ingredients that are unsafe for dogs.
7. Alcohol and Caffeinated Drinks
It might seem obvious, but it’s worth repeating: alcohol and caffeine are off-limits for dogs. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, tremors, low blood pressure, and life-threatening complications. These substances are dangerous for dogs especially if they accidentally consume them during a holiday meal. Alcohol toxicity can also damage red blood cells circulating in the body, leading to serious complications.
Safe alternative: Fresh, clean water—always the best drink for your dog!
Hidden Hazards: Grapes, Raisins, and Macadamia Nuts
Many traditional Thanksgiving foods contain ingredients that are surprisingly toxic to dogs—especially grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts. These hidden hazards can show up in everything from salads and stuffing recipes to baked goods and desserts during your Thanksgiving meal. Even a small amount of grapes or raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs, leading to symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Macadamia nuts, another common addition to holiday treats, can trigger weakness, tremors, vomiting, and even hyperthermia in your furry family members.
Pet parents should be extra cautious when preparing or serving Thanksgiving foods, making sure to keep any dishes containing grapes, raisins, or macadamia nuts well out of reach. Remember, even a tiny taste can be dangerous to dogs. If you suspect your dog has eaten any of these toxic foods, contact your veterinarian immediately—quick action can make all the difference in preventing serious health issues.
The Danger of Unbaked Bread Dough
While baking fresh bread might be a beloved Thanksgiving tradition, unbaked bread dough poses a serious risk to your dog’s health. If your furry family member manages to sneak a bite of raw dough, the yeast inside can continue to ferment in their stomach, producing ethanol and leading to alcohol poisoning. This can cause symptoms like disorientation, vomiting, weakness, and even life-threatening complications. Additionally, the raw dough can expand inside your dog’s stomach, resulting in painful bloating and potential blockages.
Pet parents should always keep raw bread dough and any yeast-based doughs out of reach during the Thanksgiving feast. If you catch your dog ingesting raw dough, seek veterinary attention immediately—this is a true emergency. While small amounts of fully baked bread are generally safe for dogs, too much can still cause stomach upset, so moderation is key. By staying alert to these hidden dangers, you can help ensure your Thanksgiving celebration is safe and happy for every member of the family.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something Dangerous
If your dog accidentally gets into the Thanksgiving spread:
Stay calm.
Check what and how much they ate. After determining what was consumed, watch for clinical signs of toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or seizures. If your dog ate salty foods like chips or pretzels, be alert for salt toxicity clinical signs, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.
Call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately.
Never try to make your dog vomit unless your vet instructs you to—it could make the situation worse, depending on what they consumed.
Keeping Dogs Safe During Thanksgiving
Here are a few simple ways to prevent accidents before they happen:
Keep food and trash out of reach.
Ask guests not to feed your dog table scraps.
Prepare a dog-safe treat plate ahead of time with approved foods, such as plain green beans, pure pumpkin, or green beans, so your dog can safely enjoy the holiday meal.
Stick to your dog’s regular feeding schedule to prevent begging and overeating.
A little planning goes a long way toward a stress-free, pet-friendly holiday.
Happy, Safe Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving should be full of love, laughter, and wagging tails—not emergency vet visits. By avoiding these 7 dangerous Thanksgiving foods, you’ll help your dog enjoy the celebration safely.
When in doubt, remember: if it’s seasoned, sweetened, or fatty, it’s best kept off your dog’s plate.