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Christmas Turkey Dinner

See what is safe for your dog to eat over the holidays!

Holiday Stuffing

Depends on the recipe

Holiday Stuffing

Safe to give to your dog.

Stuffing can be okay in small quantities, however be careful as many ingredients can be inappropriate for dogs.

Celery: Celery stalks are often used in turkey stuffing and while they are safe, it is unlikely that anyone would cook them apart from stuffing.

Bread (non gluten-free) is not ideal for dogs as grains are not part of a species appropriate diet for canines.

Almonds are not toxic to dogs; However, I do not suggest giving them to your dog as a snack or a treat.

Onions and Chives are toxic to dog’s as they can reduce the viability of red blood cells and can cause oxidative damage leading to sickle cell anemia.

Raisins carry a high risk of causing renal failure in dogs and I have seen raisin poisoning in my practice. My patient was fortunate to recover from acute renal failure but not all dogs are so lucky. Raisin toxicity must be taken very seriously.

Brussel Sprouts

Yes, limited quantities

Brussel Sprouts

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Brussels Sprouts belong to the so-called Cruciferae family that is considered goitrogenic, reducing levels of thyroid hormone by blocking the uptake of iodine. However, cooking eliminates the goitrogenic effect and this is why it is ok to put brussels sprouts in your dog’s festive meal.

Gravy

Gluten free only

Gravy

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Most of us love gravy. It is what makes a good turkey dinner great! However, traditional gravy contains flour and a lot of salt which makes it less than ideal for dogs. Here is my suggestion, try to use a gluten-free gravy recipe and use sparingly! No matter if you use gravy or not, I can guarantee your dog will love the festive dinner anyway!

Cooked Turkey

Ok to give to your dog

Cooked Turkey

Safe to give to your dog.

If you are a meat eater, your dog is lucky! The skin, white and dark meat plus the giblets are all good to go on your dog’s plate.

Select the items in your holiday meal:

Gravy

Brussel Sprouts

Stuffing (Celery)

Turkey Meat

Yams and Sweet Potatoes

Green beans

Winter Squash

Salt

Pepper

Sage

Rosemary

Garlic

Cranberry Sauce

Ice Cream and Whip Cream

Cooked Turkey Bones

Marshmallows

Pumpkin Pie Filling

Pumpkin Pie Crust

Fruit Pie Filling

Pecans and Pecan Pie

Mincemeat

Stuffing (Onions and Chives)

Stuffing (Raisins)

Leafy veggies

Sweet Veggies

Stuffing Ingredients (Almonds)

Potatoes

Stuffing Ingredients (Bread)

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Gravy

Depends on the recipe

Learn More

Gravy

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Brussel Sprouts

Ok in small amounts

Learn More

Brussel Sprouts

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Stuffing (Celery)

Ok to give to your dog

Learn More

Stuffing (Celery)

Safe to give to your dog.

Celery stalks are often used in turkey stuffing and while they are safe, it is unlikely that anyone would cook them apart from stuffing.

Turkey Meat

Ok to give to your dog

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Turkey Meat

Safe to give to your dog.

If you are a meat eater, your dog is lucky! The skin, white and dark meat plus the giblets are all good to go on your dog’s plate.

Yams and Sweet Potatoes

Healthy for dogs

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Yams and Sweet Potatoes

Safe to give to your dog.

Yams and Sweet Potatoes are a good, healthy addition to your dog’s turkey dinner.

Green beans

Healthy for dogs

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Green beans

Safe to give to your dog.

Green Beans are a definite ‘yes’ in a raw or cooked form. If you like beans as a side for turkey dinner, your dog can enjoy them too.

Winter Squash

Healthy for dogs

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Winter Squash

Safe to give to your dog.

While I do not know many dogs that would be excited by chewing on raw winter squash, cooking will make it a great addition to you and your dog’s turkey dinner.

Salt

Ok in small amounts

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Salt

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Despite popular belief, a moderate amount of salt in a turkey dinner is fine for dogs. It is very possible, that the “no salt recommendation” for dogs was invented by kibble makers to sell more of their product and discourage dog lovers from feeding people food. Many farm animals get salt licks, and table salt (NaCl) is also found in blood and meat. If you like your meals saltier, just reduce the amount to consider your dog and use natural sea salt.

Pepper

Okay in small amounts

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Pepper

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Pepper has been used in turmeric golden paste for dogs for years and it appears to be safe in moderate amounts.

Sage

Ok in small amounts

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Sage

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

This spice is commonly used in stuffing and is non-toxic to dogs.

Rosemary

Ok in small amounts

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Rosemary

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Rosemary is a non-toxic spice in small amounts. It may affect uterus and its contractility, hence it is generally not recommended for pregnant females.

Garlic

Ok in small amounts

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Garlic

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Garlic is popular in most kitchens and dog lovers often wonder if it’s ok for dogs. My general experience is that a small amount of garlic in meals is ok as I have never seen dogs having sickle cell anemia from garlic. However, we must be cautious about larger amounts of garlic as all the plants from the onion family can be toxic to dog’s red blood cells.

Cranberry Sauce

Ok in small amounts

Learn More

Cranberry Sauce

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Cranberry Sauce is one item that I was on the fence about. Cranberries themselves are good for dogs and can be used for preventing urinary tract infections, however, the addition of sugar in cranberry sauce makes them fit in the yellow zone. It is ok in small amounts but I am also sure your dog will be fine without it.

Ice Cream and Whip Cream

Ok in small amounts

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Ice Cream and Whip Cream

Ok to give to your dog in SMALL amounts

Perhaps you are expecting me to sway you away from giving your dog ice cream but even I am a flawed dog lover. Dairy is not great for dogs, but it is also not the end of the world if you give your dog a half a scoop of ice cream or whip cream as dessert. The purist may say, I am being irresponsible here but striving for absolute perfection is no fun! Who does not love to see our dogs excitement from getting a little bit of ice-cream or whip cream? Some foods are just universally irresistible for dogs, cats and people!

Cooked Turkey Bones

Not good for dogs

See Why

Cooked Turkey Bones

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

The general rule of thumb is that dogs should never get cooked bones. The cooking process makes bones indigestible which can result in intestinal obstruction. From time to time, I hear about dogs getting into cooked bones. If this happens to you, I suggest that you feed your dog a 1/4 to 1 cup of cooked squash and add 1/2 to 2 tsp of steeped flaxseed (which is made by pouring hot water over flaxseed to make it slippery).

Marshmallows

Not good for dogs

See Why

Marshmallows

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Marshmallows are commonly used in sweet potato casseroles and they’re full of sugar and starch. This makes them a red zone food.

Pumpkin Pie Filling

Not good for dogs

See Why

Pumpkin Pie Filling

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

While pumpkin is great for treating diarrhea in dogs, pumpkin pie filling also contains milk and sugar which are not good for dogs.

Pumpkin Pie Crust

Not good for dogs

See Why

Pumpkin Pie Crust

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Pumpkin Pie Crust contains a large amount of flour and fat which can aggravate your dog’s digestive tract. Dogs have evolved to digest protein, but are not very well equipped to digest sugars, starches and complex carbohydrates. While most people often focus on fat and its connection to pancreatitis, another big cause of pancreatitis is a diet rich in complex carbohydrates. The canine pancreas is not designed to digest them which leads to pancreatic strain and inflammation.

Fruit Pie Filling

Not good for dogs

See Why

Fruit Pie Filling

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Generally, dogs do better if they are not given fruit at least one hour before or three hours after a meal containing protein. In fact, the same rule should apply to the human diet but most of us are have a hard time following such a suggestion especially when it comes to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. The good news is that no dog would go for a pie instead of turkey!

Pecans and Pecan Pie

Not good for dogs

See Why

Pecans and Pecan Pie

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Nuts are generally not good for dogs and cause vomiting and diarrhea. The good news is that most dogs are not crazy about nuts anyway!

Mincemeat

Warning: Toxic!

See Why

Mincemeat

Caution - toxic!

Mincemeat is usually used as pie filling and it is a big no for dogs because it contains raisins. A common recipe includes the following ingredients: currants, raisins, sugar, apples, candied citrus peel, spices, and suet, typically baked in a pie.

Stuffing (Onions and Chives)

Warning: Toxic!

See Why

Stuffing (Onions and Chives)

Caution - toxic!

Onions and Chives are toxic to dog’s as they can reduce the viability of red blood cells and can cause oxidative damage leading to sickle cell anemia.

Stuffing (Raisins)

Warning: Toxic!

See Why

Stuffing (Raisins)

Caution - toxic!

Raisins carry a high risk of causing renal failure in dogs and I have seen raisin poisoning in my practice. My patient was fortunate to recover from acute renal failure but not all dogs are so lucky. Raisin toxicity must be taken very seriously.

Leafy veggies

Good in limited quantity

Learn More

Leafy veggies

Safe to give to your dog.

Leafy veggies resemble grasses and other greens that wild prey eat. Greens also have numerous health benefits. They are vitamin powerhouses, full of antioxidants and minerals. They also possess cleansing and pH balancing properties and are an excellent source of fiber. Good examples are lettuces, dandelion leaves, parsley, cilantro, basil, beet tops, carrot tops, kale, sprouted seeds, etc.

Sweet Veggies

Ok for dogs

Learn More

Sweet Veggies

Safe to give to your dog.

Sweet veggies that are not leafy, and this group consists of zucchini, celery, green beans, green peas, red beets

Stuffing Ingredients (Almonds)

Not good for dogs

See Why

Stuffing Ingredients (Almonds)

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Almonds are not toxic to dogs; However, I do not suggest giving them to your dog as a snack or a treat.

Potatoes

Not good for dogs

See Why

Potatoes

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Potatoes belong to the Nightshade plant family and while only the roots and leaves are toxic, many people agree that potatoes are not species appropriate food for dogs.

Stuffing Ingredients (Bread)

Not good for dogs

See Why

Stuffing Ingredients (Bread)

Non-toxic but not good for dogs.

Bread is not ideal for dogs as grains are not part of a species appropriate diet for canines.

Please select atleast one ingredient

Click here to select ingredients Select the items in your holiday meal:

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Select Items

Gravy
Brussel Sprouts
Stuffing (Celery)
Turkey Meat
Yams and Sweet Potatoes
Green beans
Winter Squash
Salt
Pepper
Sage
Rosemary
Garlic
Cranberry Sauce
Ice Cream and Whip Cream
Cooked Turkey Bones
Marshmallows
Pumpkin Pie Filling
Pumpkin Pie Crust
Fruit Pie Filling
Pecans and Pecan Pie
Mincemeat
Stuffing (Onions and Chives)
Stuffing (Raisins)
Leafy veggies
Sweet Veggies
Stuffing Ingredients (Almonds)
Potatoes
Stuffing Ingredients (Bread)

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