What to know
- Not all Thanksgiving foods are safe for pets. Avoid chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, bones, and heavily seasoned dishes.
- Safe options include plain pumpkin, cooked sweet potato, carrots, green beans, and apple slices; always in moderation.
- Toronto Humane Society’s pumpkin and oat dog treats are simple, pet-safe, and use just a few ingredients you might already have at home.
- If your pet prefers quiet, set up a cozy retreat away from crowds.
- Donations to the Toronto Humane Society Pet Food Bank help pets in need enjoy the holiday.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude and gathering around the table with family and friends, but what about our pets? This year, the Toronto Humane Society is sharing a recipe guide to help your furry family members have their own Thanksgiving feast.
Whether your pet is at the table or joining the pre- or post-dinner activities, there are plenty of ways to celebrate them and make them their own Thanksgiving feast.
Chief Veterinary Officer at Toronto Humane Society Dr. Karen Ward shared suggestions with Now Toronto on how to make Thanksgiving feel special for your pet.
“Thanksgiving is such a tremendous time for family, and pets are part of our family, and it is so natural for us to want to share those celebrations with them, and we can, but we just need to be cognizant that some of the things that we do are not okay for our pets,” Ward told Now Toronto.
Every festive season, shelters and veterinarians remind pet parents not to give chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (an artificial sweetener often found in pumpkin pie filling), bones, or heavily seasoned bites, among other foods.
What can pets actually eat for Thanksgiving?
- Unseasoned pumpkin
- Cooked sweet potato
- Carrots
- Green beans
- Apple slices
Ward cautions that pets should eat these foods in moderation to prevent an upset stomach.
But if you want to take your pet’s Thanksgiving feast to the next level, Toronto Humane Society shared a pumpkin and oat dog treat recipe that takes only a few ingredients:
- 1 cup plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup xylitol-free, unsweetened peanut butter
- 2 cups oat flour
- 1–2 tablespoons water, as needed
All you need to do is preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), combine the pumpkin and peanut butter, then gradually mix in the oat flour until a firm dough forms. Add a small amount of water if needed. Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thick, cut into small pieces or shapes, and bake for about 20–25 minutes, or until firm. Then let the treats cool before serving your pet’s Thanksgiving feast.
How about a piece of turkey?
As tempting as it is to slip your pet some food, make sure it’s pet-safe. Turkey is generally safe in moderation, with some exceptions, according to the vet.
Ward says a tiny bit of turkey without the skin is safe, as long as it’s not accompanied by gravy or heavy seasonings.
Beyond food, how else can you include your pet in Thanksgiving celebrations?
If your pet is social, let them join you in pre-and-post dinner festivities, but pay attention to your pet’s feelings. If you notice they’re stressed or anxious or unused to big gatherings, set up a small retreat for them with treats, a small blanket and whatever makes them comfortable.
Signs of stress include:
- Lip licking
- Lifting a foot
- Pulling their ears back
- Yawning
“Think [about] including our animals in our celebrations in a way that the animal wants to be included,” Ward told Now Toronto.
If you don’t have a pet but want to support other pets this Thanksgiving, donate to the Toronto Humane Society Pet Food Bank. Every donation will be matched up to $10,000 by Paul Butler and Chris Black to support pets this Thanksgiving season.
“As costs go up, we’re finding more and more people are needing support with their animals, and everybody deserves to have a nice Thanksgiving,” Ward said.
