Did you want to include your furry friend in your celebrations for the holidays? There are many traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas foods that are great for sharing. There are some tips, however, you should follow to feed them safe human food.
Dogs Love Turkey!
Dogs cannot eat turkey in the same manner as humans. Thanksgiving dinner for dogs isn’t complete without turkey. Turkey is a good lean protein and you can serve a dog some of the same turkey you would put on the table, but it must be baked and plain, without spice. Feeding turkey (without any additional spices or seasonings) to your dog should not produce any bad effects in most dogs.
If you decide to give your dog some turkey, make sure you choose white meat and remove large pieces of skin and fat. This will keep the fat content on the low side which helps avoid upset tummies or more severe problems like pancreatitis. Make sure your dog doesn’t get any of the turkey bones, either. When the bones are cooked, they will sometimes splinter.
If the turkey is too salty, spicy or deep-fried, but you still want your pet to get a taste of the holidays, there are some other food options that taste like turkey.
Pumpkin For Pets
When served appropriately, pumpkin is great for the canine digestive system. In fact, vets recommend pumpkin for dogs to ease constipation or firm up their stool.
Pumpkin pie, however, is not a good treat for your dog, but roasted or canned pumpkin should be fine. Set some pumpkin aside if you’re baking a pie, or you can share some pure canned pumpkin with your pet.
If you don’t plan to bake this year, there are some pumpkin-based treats that offer a good way for your dog to enjoy the holiday.
Cranberries And Dogs
Cranberries are also safe for dogs. They can very well help support urinary tract health, plus they have a lot of antioxidants. However, raw cranberries can be hard for dogs to digest. Instead, give your dog a small amount of sauced cranberry. It can be high in sugar so make sure you serve only a little amount and make sure it does not have any artificial sweetener in it because this is very dangerous for dogs.
Veggies For Pets
Plain green beans are great for dogs. They are low in calories and high in iron, as well as several other minerals and vitamins that dogs need. They have a high fiber content which helps fill your dog’s belly and keep them full. This might also help with weight control.
For a treat, you can serve your dog unsalted green beans. They can be frozen, canned, or fresh.
Carrots are a good source of fiber and vitamin A for your pet. Carrots are even found in a lot of commercially-available dog foods. Raw baby carrots are a healthy, crunchy treat, but cooked carrots are gentler on your dog’s stomach. You can steam or boil plain, frozen, or fresh carrots. Carrots in the can are also okay if they do not have a lot of sugar or salt.
Dogs absolutely love sweet potatoes. They’re a great source of vitamin A and B as well as fiber. This vegetable has gained popularity with dogs across the country and is frequently included in limited-ingredient diets.
You can cut up raw sweet potatoes, cook them and serve them in cubes. You can also mash or steam them, or boil or bake them. This is a very versatile vegetable with endless possibilities. You can also give your dog dried sweet potato treats.
Sweet Apple Treats
A lot of dogs like the tart, sweet crunch of apples. They have a lot of fiber and antioxidants that make them a healthy treat when given moderately. Make sure to cut up any raw apples you give your dog into smaller size pieces. You can even put a little cinnamon on them which is safe for dogs in moderation.
Human Foods to Avoid Giving to Your Pets
There are some foods to avoid giving your pets during the holidays. They include candy, raisins or grapes, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic, wild mushrooms, pitted fruits, chocolate, caffeine, sugar, high-fat items and salty foods, and alcohol. Also, it is very important not to feed your pet anything that has artificial sweetener in it. Xylitol is an example of an artificial sweetener found in many foods.
If you’re concerned that your pet has eaten something they should not have, call your vet immediately. If they have eaten something poisonous, also consider calling poison control.
You must be active and assertive when it comes to feeding your pet people food. Some foods are good, while some are bad.
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