During the holidays, pet owners are inundated with warnings about classic seasonal ingredients that could harm or poison their pets. And, although recognizing toxic and dangerous foods is critical for your pet’s safety, knowing which holiday helpings you can confidently share with your pet is also important.

Fortunately, you have many options and will find something to please every pet palate. To help you plan a four-paw menu, the Alpine Animal Hospital team has created a list of pet-friendly holiday foods, plus serving tips for your four-legged family member.

Turkey and pets

Turkey is the iconic holiday meal centerpiece and provides lean protein to dogs and cats. However, pet owners must take care to serve only skinless, boneless, white meat turkey that is plain, with no added gravy, stuffing, or seasoning. This is safest and healthiest for your pet and eliminates their risk for dangerous and painful complications, including onion or leek toxicosis, pancreatitis, or gastritis, or bone-related injuries, such as choking, lacerations, and intestinal blockages. 

Green beans and pets

Green beans are an excellent snack for pets.  The beans are not only low-calorie but also contain valuable vitamins and minerals high in fiber, which can help pets feel full—and may reduce begging at the dinner table! 

Always feed your pet frozen or fresh green beans, because canned vegetables contain added salt. Avoid green bean-based casseroles that commonly contain onions, garlic, or other seasoning. Green beans can be served frozen, raw, cooked, or steamed.

Butternut squash and pets

Pets enjoy butternut squash for its slightly sweet flavor, and this colorful fruit, which is high in the immune-boosting antioxidant beta-carotene, as well as vitamins A and C, is good for your pet.

Steamed or roasted squash is easiest for digestion. If your pet enjoys butternut squash, try other pet-safe squashes, including zucchini, yellow squash, and pumpkin. 

Pumpkin and pets

Pumpkin is a common ingredient in many pets’ food bowls because the vegetable has many health benefits, including a source of healthy and flavorful fiber, and the ability to ease upset digestive tracts, add bulk to stool, and help overweight pets feel satisfied without consuming extra calories.

If you’ll be feeding canned pumpkin, ensure you use only 100% pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling, often sold alongside canned pumpkin, commonly contains harmful ingredients such as sweeteners, spices, or xylitol—a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs.

If you’ll be sharing pumpkin with your pet, take a less is more approach. Large quantities of pumpkin can have undesirable gastrointestinal effects because of the high fiber content.

Apples and pets

Pets love apples for their satisfying crunch, and you’ll appreciate their nutritional benefits and no-fuss preparation. All apple varieties are high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. However, these sweet fruits contain an average 19 grams of sugar, so we recommend limiting your pet to a few slices. 

Do not allow your pet to eat the apple core or seeds. Like corn cobs, apple cores are the perfect size to lodge in your pet’s intestines and create a blockage. Apple seeds contain cyanide, and despite the small quantity, multiple seeds can be deadly for some dogs.

Cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pets

Cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries, fed in moderation, are safe and healthy treats for pets. These small-but-mighty superfoods are loaded with powerful antioxidants that can help fight free radicals, enhance immunity, and reduce inflammation. 

Dried berries are safe for pets, but use caution if they are mixed with other ingredients, such as raisins, currants, or macadamia nuts, which are extremely toxic. 

Dinner is served! How to share holiday foods with your pet

While it’s perfectly acceptable to hand deliver your pet’s holiday treat to their mouth or bowl, consider a nontraditional feeding method. Extend your pet’s fun and slow their eating with: 

  • A Kong or hollow toy — Fill a Kong or WestPaw Toppl with your pet’s favorite flavor combination, adding yogurt or canned food to help everything stick together.  
  • A lickable mat — Textured pet mats encourage thoughtful eating and licking can ease stress. These mats are perfect for spreadable foods, such as pumpkin or steamed squash.

If your pet has dietary restrictions, food sensitivities, or specific nutritional needs, talk to your Alpine Animal Hospital veterinarian before introducing any new foods. Contact us  and help ensure a pet-safe Thanksgiving.