Thanksgiving Dinner For Fido

Thanksgiving is coming up fast! Food is definitely at the top of the agenda for many folks. It’s always great to enjoy a delicious feast with your loved ones. Of course, our canine pals will be paying very close attention to those yummy dishes … and angling for some special treats. Here, a Wheat Ridge, CO vet goes over what you can and can’t give your furry friend.

Appetizers

While you shouldn’t offer Fido many hors d’oeuvres that are high in fat, sugar, or salt, your pooch can have a few meatballs or cocktail weiners, or plain cocktail shrimp. Deli meat is also fine, as are small amounts of cheese and egg.

Meat

You can share some of that turkey with your furry buddy. Most types of meat, fish, and poultry are fine. That includes turkey, duck, chicken, quail, beef, hamburgers, steaks, and salmon or other fish. Just remove the skin, bones, and fat. You should limit Fido’s intake of organ meat, such as liver, though.

Fruits & Veggies

Many veggies are safe—and even healthy—for dogs. Fido can have carrots, peas, string beans, spinach, and cooked sweet potato or pumpkin. Just don’t give him anything topped with a lot of oil, spices, butter or cheese. As for fruits, apples are fine, as are bananas and certain berries, such as blueberries or strawberries. Of course, these are just a few examples. Ask your vet for more information on giving your pup produce.

Unsafe Foods

Be careful not to give Fido anything that isn’t safe for him. Grapes and raisins are at the top of that list. These fruits are very toxic to dogs, and can make your furry best friend very sick. Garlic and onions are also unsafe. They are often used as seasonings, which can make dishes that would normally be fine unsafe. Other foods on the no-no list include meat on the bone; avocado; any fruits with seeds or pips; raw dough or meat; chocolate; caffeine; and anything that contains xylitol and/or a lot of fat, salt, or sugar.

Drinks

Alcohol is definitely not safe for our canine companions. Even small amounts could make your pup very sick. However, Fido can have a bowl of sodium-free beef, fish, or chicken broth.

All of us here at Wadsworth Animal Hospital, your Wheat Ridge, CO vet hospital, want to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Enjoy your holiday!