A Mindful Thanksgiving with Your Animal Companions
The menu has been created, the grocery list is complete.
You’ve thought of everything this year, including:
✅Grandma’s favorite cranberry compote
✅Gluten-free crust for Uncle Howard’s pie
✅Sparkling cider for the kids, Prosecco for the grown-ups
The kitchen is a symphony of clanging pans, whirring mixers, and knives knocking on cutting boards.
Right beside you, the most loyal members of the family sit beside you, the dog, eyes wide with anticipation, a string of drool making its way toward the freshly mopped floor, the cat with her nose in the air.
It’s tempting to share Thanksgiving food with your dog by slipping him a spoonful of stuffing into his bowl, giving him a bit of turkey skin, or letting him lick your plate after dinner is done.
After all, he’s a part of the family and deserves a little Thanksgiving love, too!
Suddenly, you remember the infamous Thanksgiving of 2018, the one you spent at the emergency vet instead of enjoying a tryptophan coma in front of the football game. It gave you a whole new perspective on the word “turkey trot.”
Let’s not repeat that, shall we?
This year, imagine your pup enjoying their very own Thanksgiving feast, complete with dog-friendly dishes that are not only safe but also packed with nutrients to keep them happy and healthy.
No gastrointestinal distress, no panicked calls to the vet—just a full belly, a wagging tail, and lots of memories made together.
This guide is your ticket to a Thanksgiving where your animals can truly be part of the family.
Let’s dig in!
Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Should Not Eat
Before we dive into the fun stuff, let’s get this out of the way first to avoid the unpleasant effects these foods can have.
These Thanksgiving foods can seem harmless, but a dog’s digestive system is different from yours. Sure, they drink from the toilet bowl and sneak things out of the garbage once in a while with little harm done, but we know these foods not only make the turkey trots more likely, but they can do real damage.
These are NOT Thanksgiving foods for dogs:
1. Turkey Skin and Fatty TrimmingsAs tempting as it is to toss your dog a piece of turkey skin or the fatty parts you trimmed off, these are major culprits for causing pancreatitis—a painful and potentially life-threatening condition. Stick to plain, unseasoned turkey meat if you want to share.
2. Stuffing and GravyTraditional stuffing and gravy are packed with ingredients that make them tasty to us, like onions, garlic, and butter, but which are toxic to dogs at worst, difficult for dogs to digest at best. Even a small amount can lead to an upset stomach or worse.
3. Sweets and DessertsMany desserts, especially those containing chocolate, raisins, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol, are extremely toxic to dogs.
4. BonesCooked turkey bones might seem like a treat, but they’re brittle and can splinter easily, causing choking, internal injuries, or blockages. The only bones that are safe for dogs are raw meaty bones. For more information on what bones are good for dogs, click HERE.
5. Mashed Potatoes and CasserolesIt’s not the potatoes themselves that are the problem, but the extras we add—like butter, cream, cheese, and spices. These rich ingredients can cause digestive upset or even trigger pancreatitis.
6. Alcohol and Caffeinated DrinksWhile it might seem obvious, accidents happen. Be sure to keep all alcoholic and caffeinated beverages well out of reach, as both are toxic to pets.
Be sure to tell every guest who gathers at your home “Please Don’t Feed the Animals!”
Mindfully Including the Thanksgiving Dog
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s address the other elephant in the room.
Should you include the dog at Thanksgiving? Isn’t that overindulgent?
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate love, connection, and gratitude with those who matter most—and that includes your animal companions!
It’s not overindulgent when done safely.
And, it’s more than just a kind gesture; it’s an opportunity to deepen your bond, keep them happy and healthy, and create lasting memories.
I include my animals at every holiday celebration. I have a Thanksgiving dog, a Christmas dog, even a Valentine’s dog!
Here’s why:
They’re Family, TooYour dog or cat isn’t just a pet; they’re part of your family. Including them in your Thanksgiving traditions reinforces their place in your home and allows them to share in the joy and togetherness of the day. They might not know the holiday’s significance, but they’ll absolutely feel the love and inclusion.
Avoiding Gastrointestinal Distress, aka The Turkey TrotsYou may be prone to overindulging in Thanksgiving leftovers causing yourself a bellyache, but you can prevent that from happening to your dogs! By planning a dog-friendly feast in advance, you eliminate the risk of these health scares, ensuring your pup can enjoy the day as much as you do.
Strengthening the BondSharing a holiday meal with your animal companions fosters a sense of connection and trust.
It’s Fun for Everyone!Every cook who’s spent hours creating a meal enjoys seeing their loved ones enjoy it, and dogs are a slam dunk in this department! Seeing them included in family photos or happily playing with enrichment toys just adds to the festive spirit. Plus, it’s a wonderful teaching moment for kids, showing them the importance of treating animals with kindness and thoughtfulness.
A New Thanksgiving Tradition, The Thanksgiving Dog Feast
Making your pet part of the holiday creates a tradition you’ll look forward to every year. Whether it’s a special dish, a spot at the family table (on the floor, of course!), or a unique way to include them in the day’s activities, these moments become cherished memories.
Now that you know why including your pet in Thanksgiving is such a wonderful idea, let’s dive into the how—with recipes and ideas for a pet-friendly feast they’ll love.
These Thanksgiving foods for dogs are simple to prepare and packed with nutrients to keep tails wagging and whiskers twitching throughout the holiday.
Appetizer: Pumpkin Puree with a Dash of Cinnamon
Start your pup’s Thanksgiving with a tasty and tummy-soothing appetizer.
Ingredients:
½ cup of plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling!)
A pinch of ground cinnamon (optional; check with your vet if your pet has health concerns)
Why It’s Great:Pumpkin is rich in fiber and helps with digestion while cinnamon can add a festive flair and has anti-inflammatory benefits.
How to Serve:Spoon the puree onto a lick mat, spread into a slow feeder, or inside a Topple for a fun pre-meal activity. You can purchase these enrichment feeding items at The Healthy Animal Healing Center!
The Main Event: Turkey Meatballs with Veggie Medley
Give your animals their own turkey dinner that’s lean, nutritious, and perfectly portioned.
Ingredients:
1 cup ground turkey (unseasoned and gently cooked)
½ cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, plain
½ cup finely chopped, steamed green beans or carrots
1 egg (optional, as a binder)
Why It’s Great:Turkey provides lean protein, sweet potatoes are a source of beta-carotene, and green beans or carrots offer vitamins and fiber.
How to Serve:Combine the ingredients, form small meatballs, and bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes. Serve a couple as their main course while saving extras for treats throughout the week.
A Sweet Treat: Frozen Cranberry and Yogurt Bites
Wrap up their feast with a cool, antioxidant-packed dessert.
Ingredients:
½ cup fresh or unsweetened dried cranberries (blended or finely chopped)
½ cup plain, unsweetened yogurt (no added sugar or artificial sweeteners)
Why It’s Great:Cranberries are full of antioxidants and yogurt supports digestive health with probiotics.
How to Serve:Mix the ingredients and spoon into a silicone mold or ice cube tray. Freeze for a few hours and serve one or two as a post-meal treat.
Will this extra effort teach your dog about the true meaning of Thanksgiving?
Of course not.
This is more about what family traditions mean to YOU.
If your animal companions are a part of your family, then including them in your Thanksgiving traditions will be meaningful to you and will show others at your table that your family includes all those you love, two-legged and four-legged varieties alike.
These easy recipes won’t add too much of a burden to your already long Thanksgiving menu, and they can be prepared in advance.
But let’s be real, Thanksgiving isn’t all about the food.
More ways to include the dog besides Thanksgiving food
Thanksgiving is about gratitude! And togetherness! And football! 🍁🦃🏈
The “Pet Table” Tradition
You’ve heard of the kids’ table, how about creating an animals’ table?
Create a designated spot for your pet to enjoy their feast, complete with a festive placemat or small bowl that matches your holiday decor.
Add a fun, safe Thanksgiving-themed toy or chew for them to enjoy after their meal.
Dress the Part
Dress your pet in a comfortable, festive accessory, like a bandana, bow tie, or even a lightweight turkey hat (if they’ll tolerate it).
Include them in your group photos or snap a few shots of them enjoying their special meal.
If you’re a football watching family, dress the dog up in their own jersey.
Enrichment Activities
While humans are busy with post-meal conversations or football games, keep your pup engaged with safe, holiday-themed enrichment activities:
DIY Thanksgiving Puzzle Toy: Stuff a hollow toy with plain mashed sweet potato or pumpkin puree and freeze it for a fun, long-lasting treat.
Turkey Hunt: Hide small pieces of their turkey meatball around a room for them to sniff out. This taps into their natural foraging instincts and keeps them mentally stimulated.
Share the Gratitude
Take a moment during your holiday gathering to share what you’re grateful for about your animal companions. Counting all the blessings your animals provide is a great way to be present with them.
Encourage kids to write or draw something about why they love their special friend.
Chill Out
Thanksgiving can be overwhelming for pets, especially with a house full of guests. Set up a quiet space where they can retreat if the excitement becomes too much.
Add a calming supplement or a spritz of natural calming spray (available at The Healthy Animal Healing Center) to help them feel at ease.
With just a little planning and effort, Thanksgiving can be a special holiday not just about feasting or the next hurdle toward Christmas, but a tradition based on love, gratitude, and connection.
Mindfully and thoughtfully including your animal companions makes it that much sweeter!
As the sun sets on this Thanksgiving, you’ll be able to count your new blessings, seeing the animals enjoy a special meal in a special way, the smiles brought to faces by your dog’s football jersey, and the warm feelings made possible by wagging tails and full bellies.
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