5 Thanksgiving Food Your Dog Should Never (Ever) Eat

You know not to give your dog chocolate, but…stuffing? It’s natural to want to share your Thanksgiving bounty with everyone you love, including your dog. But as much joy as your pooch would probably get from scarfing down an entire turkey carcass, knowing what he shouldn’t eat could actually save his life. Here are five Thanksgiving foods you should never give to your dog.

1. Turkey Bones

The good news is, turkey is a great protein source for dogs! Turkey bones? Not so much. Cooked bones can splinter, puncturing your dog’s intestinal tract; they can also get lodged in his throat, causing him to choke. And while you’re at it, avoid giving him any of that delicious turkey skin, too. It’s super high in saturated fat and all those seasonings are likely to upset his sensitive stomach. Onion powder, paprika, nutmeg…just stay away from any holiday spices to be safe.

2. Stuffing (or Anything With Onions)

Onions are extremely toxic to dogs. They contain something called thiosulphate which is damaging to your dog’s red blood cells, so much so, in fact, that it can actually kill him. And don’t forget that all parts of the onion are toxic whether cooked or raw. It’s also best to avoid close onion relatives like leeks and shallots, too. They’re in a surprising array of Thanksgiving foods like green bean casserole, mac and cheese, and of course, stuffing.

3. Grapes/Raisins

Also present in a surprising variety of Thanksgiving foods are grapes and raisins! A lot of people incorporate raisins into stuffing or baked apples, and fresh grapes appear in everything from salads to rice pilaf. Both versions of the fruit are harmful to many dogs. Although it doesn’t happen in all dogs (and vets aren’t sure why), grapes cause some animals to vomit profusely before shutting down their kidneys. Even if your dog ingests just a few, call an emergency vet immediately.

4. Pecan Pie

First of all, pecan pie is super calorie-laden, a no-no for weight-conscious dogs. Most importantly, pecans (and most nuts including walnuts and macadamias) can cause a severe toxic reaction. Certain toxins contained in nuts have lead to neurologic reactions such as seizures, and nuts also have the potential to cause gastrointestinal blockage.

5. Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes are actually fine for your dog to eat, but the butter and milk used to make (extra delicious) mashed potatoes aren’t. Dogs are naturally a little more lactose intolerant than humans, and some can’t tolerate dairy at all. It’s best to stay away from anything containing milk including pie, gratin, and of course, ice cream. When in doubt, don’t feed it to the dog! And remember, before any chaotic holiday gathering or travel it’s always a good idea to keep an emergency vet’s number on hand, just in case.