What Thanksgiving food can dogs eat? A few plain foods from the feast are fine: skinless, boneless turkey breast, plain sweet potato, green beans, carrots, pumpkin puree, plain cranberries and apple slices. Most finished dishes are not, because they’re made with butter, onion, garlic, sugar or spices. Below is a dish-by-dish chart, portion sizes for a dog-safe plate, and a host checklist so your Thanksgiving doesn’t end at the emergency vet.
1. Set aside plain portions before you season anything. 2. Never give bones, skin, gravy, stuffing or desserts. 3. Keep the dog plate small: holiday extras count toward the day’s calories. 4. Fatty leftovers are a common cause of pancreatitis after the holidays.
Table of Contents
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
| Dish | OK for Dogs? | Why / How |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey breast, plain | Yes | Skinless, boneless, unseasoned |
| Turkey skin, drippings, bones | No | Fat, seasoning, splinters |
| Sweet potato, plain | Yes | Baked or boiled, no butter or sugar |
| Sweet potato casserole | No | Brown sugar, butter, marshmallows, pecans |
| Green beans, plain | Yes | Steamed, unseasoned |
| Green bean casserole | No | Fried onions, creamy soup, salt |
| Pumpkin puree, plain | Yes | 100% pumpkin, not pie filling |
| Pumpkin or pecan pie | No | Sugar, butter, spices; pecans; possible xylitol |
| Cranberries, plain | Yes, a few | Fresh or cooked without sugar |
| Cranberry sauce | Not recommended | Mostly sugar; some recipes add alcohol or raisins |
| Potatoes, plain cooked | Small amounts | No skin, butter, milk or garlic |
| Mashed potatoes | No | Butter, cream, garlic, salt |
| Carrots, plain | Yes | Raw or steamed, no glaze |
| Apples | Yes | Slices without core or seeds |
| Corn kernels, plain | Small amounts | Never the cob |
| Stuffing / dressing | No | Onion, garlic, butter, sage, sometimes raisins |
| Gravy | No | Fat, salt, onion and garlic |
| Dinner rolls and raw dough | No | Raw yeast dough can bloat and make alcohol; butter on cooked rolls |
| Glazed ham | No | Very salty and fatty |
| Wine, beer, cocktails | No | Alcohol is dangerous for dogs |
The AVMA’s holiday pet safety advice echoes this: keep turkey bones, fatty foods and holiday sweets away from pets, and secure the trash.
How to Build a Dog-Safe Thanksgiving Plate
Once you know what Thanksgiving food can dogs eat, the next step is portion size. Before you add butter, salt or seasoning, set aside a few plain bites. Keep the total small, because these extras should stay around 10% of your dog’s daily calories:
| Dog Weight | Plain Turkey Breast | Plain Sweet Potato or Pumpkin | Green Beans or Carrots | Approx. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb | 1 tablespoon, diced | 1 teaspoon | 2–3 small pieces | ~15 kcal |
| 25 lb | 2 tablespoons | 1 tablespoon | A few pieces | ~35 kcal |
| 50 lb | ¼ cup | 2 tablespoons | ¼ cup | ~85 kcal |
| 75 lb | ⅓ cup | 3 tablespoons | ⅓ cup | ~120 kcal |
Our estimates for healthy adult dogs. Serve the plate as a topper on a smaller regular meal, or split it into training rewards through the day. Skip new foods entirely for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
The Riskiest Thanksgiving Foods
- Bones and carcass: cooked turkey bones splinter and can cause choking or tears in the gut.
- Onion and garlic: found in stuffing, gravy, casseroles and seasoning blends; they damage red blood cells.
- Fatty foods: skin, drippings, butter and cream can trigger pancreatitis.
- Desserts: chocolate, xylitol in sugar-free pies, raisins and nuts.
- Raw dough: rising bread dough expands in the stomach and the yeast produces alcohol.
- Strings, skewers and foil: turkey twine, toothpicks and roasting bags smell like food and can cause blockages.
Not sure about a specific ingredient? Our full list of foods toxic to dogs covers each one.
Thanksgiving Host Checklist for Dog Owners
- Brief your guests: ask everyone, especially kids, not to feed the dog.
- Secure the trash: carcasses and strings go straight into a sealed bag and an outdoor bin.
- Clear the edges: keep plates, pies and cooling rolls away from counter and table edges.
- Give your dog a quiet room: with water, a bed and a long-lasting chew during the meal.
- Watch coats and bags: guests’ purses can hold gum, candy and medicine.
- Know your emergency vet: many clinics close for the holiday, so find the nearest 24-hour hospital ahead of time.
Why Vets See More Pancreatitis After Thanksgiving
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, often triggered by a sudden rich, fatty meal. Turkey skin, gravy and buttery sides are classic culprits, and signs can show up a day or two later: repeated vomiting, belly pain, a hunched posture, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Small dogs and dogs that have had pancreatitis before are at higher risk. Our guides on dog upset stomach and low-fat foods for pancreatitis explain what to do and what to feed afterward.
Puppies, Seniors and Dogs With Health Conditions
Puppies are more likely to gulp bones and strings, and their stomachs are more sensitive, so a couple of plain bites is plenty. Senior dogs and dogs with kidney disease, diabetes, allergies or a sensitive stomach often do best with no holiday extras at all. A favorite chew or their usual treats can make them feel included without the risk.
Is a small plain "dog plate" OK for most healthy dogs? Yes, if it's plain, small, and counted in the day's calories.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Thanksgiving Food for Dogs: Quick Guide
✓ What helps
- Plain, skinless turkey breast
- Plain sweet potato or pumpkin
- Steamed green beans and carrots
- A small plate, set aside early
✕ Don’t
- Give bones, skin or gravy
- Share stuffing or casseroles
- Offer pie, rolls or raw dough
- Leave the trash where dogs can reach it
Dogs with pancreatitis, diabetes or a sensitive stomach should skip holiday extras unless your vet says otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Thanksgiving food can dogs not eat?
Stuffing, gravy, turkey skin and bones, casseroles, mashed potatoes made with butter or garlic, ham, rolls, raw dough, pies and anything with chocolate, raisins, nuts or alcohol.
Can dogs eat Thanksgiving turkey?
Yes, a few bites of plain, skinless, boneless breast meat. Skip seasoned skin, drippings and bones.
Can dogs eat stuffing?
No. Most stuffing is made with onion, garlic and butter, and some recipes add raisins or nuts.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Not the holiday kind made with butter, cream and garlic. A spoonful of plain mashed potato is fine for most dogs.
What Thanksgiving food can puppies eat?
A few small bites of plain turkey breast, sweet potato or green beans. Keep it tiny and keep bones far away.
Can dogs eat cranberry sauce?
A lick won’t hurt most dogs, but it’s mostly sugar. A few plain cranberries are a better choice.
Want to cook for your dog? Try our Thanksgiving meal for dogs or bake Thanksgiving treats for dogs.
Find related guides in our dog nutrition and health hub.
The Bottom Line
What Thanksgiving food can dogs eat? Plain turkey breast, sweet potato, pumpkin, green beans, carrots, apples and a few cranberries, in small amounts and set aside before seasoning. Keep bones, skin, gravy, stuffing, casseroles and desserts off your dog’s plate, secure the trash, and know where your nearest emergency vet is. More holiday answers are in our Nutrition & Health guides. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.