Some human foods are safe for dogs, but not all. Can dogs eat turkey necks? Raw turkey? Other Thanksgiving foods? Find out in our guide.
If you have a dog, you know you’ve shared your food a time or two, for better or worse. The holidays are an especially tempting time to offer some of your prepared dishes with your dogs, as there are so many food scraps floating around. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Can dogs eat turkey necks?” or a similar Thanksgiving food, you’re definitely a dog parent.
We’re here to answer all your questions about sharing your holiday treats with your four-legged bestie so you can safely make the most of enjoying a special day with your fluffiest family member.
It’s no secret that my home is super pet-friendly — with a bunch of kids, we spend a lot of time at home and I have many hands to help me care for them. We all enjoy snuggling with our furry family members, and we admittedly spoil them with some of our favorite foods from time to time.
But being mindful about what you share is critically important – something safe for a human to consume, even as an infant, can be fatal for a dog or cat.
It seems surreal that something as simple as a grape could cause so much concern, which is why it is so important to look into what foods are dangerous for dogs before sharing.
We’re going to share some generalized advice, but always keep in mind:
- Your recipe might have a modification that contains ingredients that are unsafe for dogs — see below for our list to help you avoid potential risks and pick an alternative tasty treat.
- Every dog is different, so learn and understand your dog’s specific health conditions and needs and make decisions in conjunction with your vet.
Turkey
Turkey is the most common Thanksgiving staple, and it’s always tempting to share meat with a dog, as they love it so much!
Can dogs eat turkey meat? YES — if the turkey is cooked and prepared properly, as you would for safe human consumption, dogs can indulge in turkey.
Provide small portions that are fully cooked and cooled to a reasonable temperature. Check for bones, turkey skin, or fat. Select meat from areas with little to no other ingredients or seasoning.
Can dogs eat raw turkey? NO — veterinarians do not recommend feeding dogs raw meat due to the risk of harmful bacteria — which can sometimes be deadly. Pet parents need to keep raw turkey away from even healthy dogs around Thanksgiving (and beyond).
The safest parts of a turkey to feed your dog:
- White meat
- Dark meat
- Turkey giblets (liver, kidneys, heart, and gizzard)
The LEAST safe parts of a turkey to feed your dog:
- Turkey neck
- Skin
- Rubs, brines, or gravies
- Bones
- Recipes that contain garlic or onion
The takeaway — save your raw turkey necks for making gravy and not for your pups. Do NOT feed your dog any turkey bones, either. They are a choking hazard and not a safe part of your dog’s diet.
Ham
Many families prepare a Thanksgiving ham and want to know if they can feed their dog some of the meat.
Can dogs eat ham? NO — avoid giving your dog ham. The meat is fatty and can cause digestive problems and worse, pancreatitis, which can be deadly.
Potato
Your potato questions, answered.
Can dogs eat potato? YES — dogs can eat potatoes, as long as they are offered plain, without added salt, spices, butter, or other add-ins. Potatoes should be offered to dogs in moderation. Removing the peel is best practice. Cook your potatoes plain and set some aside for your dog, then spice it up for your human guests.
Can dogs eat raw potato? NO — raw potato is less safe for dogs than cooked potato and should be avoided.
Can dogs eat potato peels or potato skins? NO — if you’re looking to fill your dog up with some delicious scraps and leftovers, avoid using potato skins to share with your pal.
Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? YES — sweet potatoes are a delicious and very safe treat for dogs. In fact, many commercial dog foods contain sweet potatoes. To make it easier for your dog to digest, consider removing the skin.
Sides
Thanksgiving sides are abundant, making it even more tempting to share them with your pup.
Cranberry sauce is not safe to share with dogs due to the sugar content. However, if your dog isn’t picky and is willing to give it a try, you can share fresh or dried cranberries with your pup. Just make sure to not share too many, and to not serve any that have sugar added.
Macaroni and cheese is safe to share with dogs in extremely small amounts on very rare occasions. You can share a couple of noodles with the average pup at Thanksgiving without causing them any serious issues.
Peas and carrots without added seasoning or fat are very healthy for your pup and a great Thanksgiving day option to share. Loaded with dietary fiber and essential nutrients, your dog will thrive if you share plain vegetables with them regularly.
Collard greens, like peas and carrots, are safe for dogs, but they should be cooked and have the stem removed prior to sharing.
Can dogs eat stuffing? NO — dogs cannot have stuffing, as it contains many potentially unsafe ingredients.
Can dogs have gravy? NO — avoid sharing fatty gravy, loaded with salt and spices, with your dog.
Breads
Thanksgiving almost always offers a variety of rolls and breads, and you may be wondering if your dog can have some.
Garlic bread is not safe to share with your dog. Garlic is one of the known toxins for dogs and should never be offered to man’s best friend.
Biscuits without butter or other toppings are not a healthy choice for your pup, but sharing small pieces here and there of a plain bread treat is not going to cause long-term harm to your otherwise healthy pup.
Banana bread and other sweet breads are not safe for dogs. Dogs do not have a digestive system meant to support sweet, heavy foods. If you feel compelled to share banana bread with your furry friend, instead share a piece of raw, ripe banana.
Desserts
This brings up the subject of dessert!
It is not safe to offer your dog pie, cake, ice cream, or other sweet treats.
You can offer “sweet” snacks for your dogs in the form of fresh fruit that’s safe, such as apples, bananas, or strawberries.
Bear in mind that the desire for dessert is a strictly human one, and your dog is not going to be sad they are missing out on pumpkin pie. If you can’t get over the guilt, set aside some unsweetened cooked pumpkin when making your own pie and share it with your four-legged bestie at dessert time.
30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs
Never feed your dog any of these foods:
- Cherries
- Avocados
- Grapes (including raisins)
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Garlic
- Wild berries
- Rhubarb
- Xylitol (found in sugar-free items like candy, gum, toothpaste, etc.)
- Some nut butters (some may contain xylitol)
- Flavored waters (also may contain xylitol)
- Ice cream
- Chocolate
- Pudding
- Caffeine
- Sports and energy drinks
- Tea
- Soda
- Baked goods
- Alcohol
- Macadamia nuts
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Uncooked dough
- Bones
- Moldy food
- Milk
- Salt
- Apricot
- Starfruit
Great Foods to Share With Your Dog
The best practice is to share foods that are generally good for all dogs — regardless of whether you have smaller dogs or larger dogs, and not factoring in individual digestive issues or food allergies — in small amounts. When introducing new treats, dog owners should wait a day or two between doing so to isolate any stomach upset or skin issues (or other adverse reactions).
Remember that our diets contain a lot more fat and sugar than a dog’s traditional diet, so share only small amounts of human foods to help avoid illness.
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cooked Pumpkin (including canned)
- Cauliflower
- Popcorn
- Apples
- Bananas
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
- Dog-Friendly Peanut Butter (that does not contain xylitol)
- Cheese
Related: You might love this dog cupcakes recipe — yes, for dogs to eat!
Signs of Food Poisoning in Dogs
Worried your pup is experiencing food poisoning from a treat you shared or something they may have found in the trash (or stolen off your holiday table) like turkey necks, gravy, turkey bones, or raw turkey? Here are some key signs to watch for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Bloody stool
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Hyperactivity
- Lethargy
- Unsteady gait or stance
- Lack of coordination
- Bruising or bleeding
- Blood in the urine
If your dog demonstrates any of these signs after exposure to a new food or drink, call your vet or a local emergency clinic immediately.
Safety tips:
- Keep your vet’s number on the fridge in an easy to view location. Also, it’s a good idea to keep the number of the nearest emergency vet in a highly visible location — remember, on holidays you will need this info and won’t want to waste time digging for it!
- Watch the trash. Dogs are clever and quick — and even the best trained pup is going to be tempted by some delicious offerings and an unusual amount of food passing by their very skilled noses. Consider investing in a childproof trash can or lid lock, or move the trash to another location behind a closed door to ensure your pet’s safety.
- Speak to your guests about sharing with your pup. Hopefully your guests will be considerate of your rules and ask you before sharing any food with your dog. If you’re concerned, institute a no food sharing policy with all guests at all times, and offer a treat you’re comfortable with as an alternative.
- Offer another fun activity your guests can do with your dog. Often, guests will feed a dog to bond with him or her. Show your dog-loving guests another activity or way to care for your pet and give them the attention and love they want! Some suggestions are providing your dog’s favorite toys for play, offering to let guests walk the dog or feed the dog their approved dinner, or show guests your dog’s favorite place to be petted or scratched.
- Move the dog to an environment that lacks temptations. Providing a bed, toys, and treats for your dog in a space away from where people are eating will prevent the temptation of begging for or stealing food, and may make the dog feel calmer and safer. While many dogs are very social, they do like to have a space to retreat — providing this will comfort your pet with the hustle and bustle of guests. If your dog rests away from the family during meal time and clean-up time, they still have plenty of visiting to do before and after!
Remember, as a general rule of thumb — if you’re not sure something is safe to feed your pet, don’t! As much as you want your dog to enjoy the holiday season by eating some people foods with you, it can be a bad idea for first time exposures. After all, you don’t want to rush to the vet — or clean up after your pup’s upset stomach — on Thanksgiving day.
If there’s something you know in advance you want to share, reread this list to find ideas for an occasional treat, offering smaller pieces of something like cooked turkey leg in advance. That’s the best way to include your dog next time, and will help you avoid panicking if they snag a little leftover turkey off the counter.
So can dogs eat turkey necks? No! And they can’t eat turkey bones either. But cooked turkey is safe, and so are a bunch of other Thanksgiving foods we outlined above.