Healthy Thanksgiving Foods You Can Feed Your Pet
Thanksgiving is a time where families come together to give thanks for all of the parts of their lives that make each day special. As any pet owner knows, Thanksgiving is also a time to celebrate the joy and love our furry friends bring into our lives every day!
While our pets can take part in most of our holiday festivities, the one part they should not always be a part of is the Thanksgiving feast. I know, it can be tempting to look down at your pet as they watch everyone eating pounds of delicious food and want to offer them some. Their little eyes just beg for any scraps you’re willing to offer, and they can just be so darn well behaved when they want something! So why not give them just a little? Â
Which Foods Are Okay?
While table scraps may seem harmless, it can actually be dangerous to feed your pets human food. Read on to see which foods are okay in small amounts, and which foods you should avoid feeding your pet this Thanksgiving.Â
Food Do’sÂ
Turkey: It’s perfectly fine to feed your pet small amounts of turkey, as long as it is unseasoned and does not have any trace of gravy or other meat toppers. Remember to remove the skin before feeding to your pet!
Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are actually recommended to include in a dog’s diet in moderation. The nutrients found in sweet potatoes can complement your pet’s diet to provide vitamins A and C, potassium, fiber, and more.Â
Bread: Your pet can have a small amount of bread, as long as there is no butter or other type of spread on it. Bread acts as a filler for pets, meaning there is really no nutritional benefit. Avoid giving your pet raw bread dough, though, because this can be toxic!
Carrots: Unseasoned carrots can act as a health snack for your pet that won’t upset their stomach or give too many calories. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins, and have that nice crunch that our pets love so much.Â
Apples: Raw apples can also be a healthy treat for your pet. Apples are an excellent low-calorie, high-fiber snack that helps your pet feel full.Â
Green Beans: Green beans are a casserole staple in many families, but make sure to give your pet a few of these veggies before baking them! Green beans also have good amounts of fiber and vitamins C and K.Â
Food Do Nots
Stuffing: Stuffing is often made with onions and garlic, and these two ingredients can be extremely toxic to dogs and cats. Onion and garlic can cause damage to your pet’s red blood cells, also known as anemia. Â
Ham: Meat is bad for dogs?! It can be! Ham has a very high amount of sodium which can lead to dehydration in your pet. In severe cases they could develop sodium ion poisoning.
Turkey Bones: It is popular to associate dogs with bones, but in reality chewing on cooked bones can cause a variety of problems for pets. The most dangerous aspect of giving cooked bones to pets is that the bones can splinter and cause damage to your pets digestive system. The splintered pieces can cause an obstruction or can puncture the lining of the digestive tract, both of which result in an urgent vet visit and potentially fatal outcomes.
Fatty foods: This includes the gravy, meat trimmings, drippings, dressings, etc. High fat content in food can cause your pet to have an upset stomach. This could lead to vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.Â
Grapes. Grapes are poisonous to dogs and have been known to cause kidney failure. Symptoms could include vomiting and diarrhea, but long term there could be permanent kidney damage.Â
Chocolate: We all know chocolate is bad for dogs, but why? Dogs cannot metabolize the chemicals in chocolate like humans can so they may end up developing increased heart rate or seizures.
Be sure to watch your pet to make sure they’re not getting into anything that could be potentially toxic for them. Pets can be sneaky when they want something they can’t have, so make sure all of your guests are aware of what is and is not allowed for your pet. If your pet gets into something toxic, like grapes or chocolate, call your vet immediately.Â
Turkey meal bars
Lucky for you, Momentum Carnivore Nutrition has the perfect solution to including your furry friend in the holiday festivities! Our Turkey Meal Bars have the perfect combination of ingredients to allow your pet to get a (safe) taste of what the humans at the table are eating. These convenient meal bars made from humanely raised meat and all-natural ingredients serve as a perfect meal option (one bag makes up to 2.5 pounds of raw dog food!) or as a supplement to your pet’s existing diet.Â
Our Turkey Meal Bars consist of freeze-dried raw turkey, pumpkin, butternut squash, cranberry fiber, cinnamon, and other all-natural ingredients to provide your pet with a well-rounded meal that satisfies every nutritional need. With ingredients like these, it’s almost like your pet is at the table with you this holiday season!Â
