Thanksgiving pet safety: what your dog or cat shouldn't eat
Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.
Can dogs eat turkey? A little plain, boneless, skinless, cooked turkey is generally safe, the AVMA says, but not the skin, gravy, stuffing or bones. Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, sugar-free desserts with xylitol and raw yeast dough can all make pets sick, according to the ASPCA. If your pet eats any of them, call your vet or a pet poison line now.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Which Thanksgiving foods are dangerous for pets?
These are the foods the ASPCA and the AVMA name. Many of them hide inside other dishes, so the safest rule is: the feast stays on the table.
| Food | Why it's a problem | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey and chicken bones | Can cause choking or block the gut. | AVMA |
| Turkey skin, fat, gravy, sauces and stuffing | Hard for pets to digest. Even a small amount can cause pancreatitis, a painful swelling of the pancreas. | AVMA |
| Raw or undercooked turkey, and raw batter with eggs | Can carry Salmonella bacteria. | ASPCA |
| Onions, garlic and chives (often in stuffing and gravy) | Can upset the stomach and damage red blood cells. Cats are more sensitive, but dogs are at risk too. | ASPCA |
| Grapes and raisins | Can cause kidney damage in dogs. | ASPCA |
| Chocolate | Harmful to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous; baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the worst. | ASPCA |
| Sugar-free desserts, gum and candy with xylitol | Xylitol can cause dangerously low blood sugar and liver damage. The AVMA says it can be deadly for dogs or cats. | ASPCA, AVMA |
| Pumpkin pie | Can contain ingredients that are toxic to pets. (Small pieces of plain pumpkin can be a healthy snack.) | AVMA |
| Raw yeast dough (rolls, bread) | Keeps rising in the stomach, causing painful bloating, and makes alcohol as it does. | ASPCA, AVMA |
| Alcohol | Can cause vomiting, trouble breathing, tremors and worse. It's absorbed quickly. | ASPCA |
| Bouillon cubes and very salty food | Too much salt makes pets sick. | ASPCA |
If your pet ate something on this list
Call your vet, an emergency vet or a pet poison line straight away, even if your pet seems fine. The AVMA lists the signs to watch for: sudden changes in behavior, seeming low or in pain, vomiting or diarrhea. Don't wait for them before you call.
Poison emergency? Call now
ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day, every day. A consultation fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661, 24/7. $99 per incident, follow-up calls included.
Or call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
What can my pet have instead?
The ASPCA suggests a small holiday plate of their own: a little plain turkey, sweet potato or green beans mixed into their usual food, or a puzzle toy filled with their own treats to keep them busy while you eat. The AVMA says that if you want to share a treat, make or buy one made just for pets. Keep any extra small: rich food is hard for pets to digest.
The table, the trash and the decorations
- Clear plates and serving dishes when you're done. A turkey carcass left out is a big temptation.
- Put the carcass, bones and strings in a tied bag, in a closed bin outside or behind a closed door (AVMA).
- Empty the kitchen trash often, or keep pets out of the kitchen (ASPCA).
- Corn cobs, pine cones and gourds on the table can cause choking or a blockage if swallowed. Some flowers are toxic to pets, including amaryllis, baby's breath, sweet William, some ferns and hydrangeas (AVMA).
Guests and the front door
- Give a nervous pet a quiet room or a crate with a favorite toy, away from the crowd (AVMA, ASPCA).
- Watch the door while guests arrive and leave. A pet can slip out while coats are coming off.
- Check your pet's tag and microchip details are up to date, so a pet who gets out can be brought home (AVMA).
- Ask guests to keep their medicines zipped away, out of reach. Pets eating people's medicine is common and dangerous (ASPCA).
- Keep birds, reptiles and other small pets away from the party. They stress easily, and some guests are uneasy around them (AVMA).
Traveling for Thanksgiving
- A pet may need a health certificate from a vet to cross state lines. Check the rules for each state you'll pass through (AVMA).
- In the car, use a fitted harness or a carrier, away from airbags (AVMA).
- Flying? Ask your vet first. Short-nosed dogs and cats, such as Pugs and Persians, can have trouble with air travel (AVMA).
- Boarding? Ask your vet which vaccines your pet needs (AVMA).
Jobs for the children
- Sign maker: make the "Please don't feed" card below for the table.
- Door guard: before the front door opens, check where the pet is.
- Treat keeper: put the pet's own treat in its own bowl, so guests don't share theirs.
A line to say to the children: "Turkey bones and pie are people food. Our pet has its own dinner, and only grown-ups give it treats today."
A card for the table
Please don't feed our pet from the table.
Our pet has a treat of their own. Thank you! (Bones, onions, grapes, raisins and chocolate can make pets very sick.)
Sources
- AVMA: Thanksgiving pet safety (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASPCA: Thanksgiving safety tips (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets (checked October 29, 2026)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (checked October 29, 2026)
- Pet Poison Helpline (checked October 29, 2026)