When you think of the most food-related holiday, Thanksgiving comes to mind. While your entire family may feast on turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing, your pets may not be able to join in all the fun. Where there is food, there is an eager and hungry animal not far away. Offering up raw vegetables like broccoli and carrots is fine. However, there are some unexpected goodies that don’t settle well with your pets.

1. Turkey Skin- Sharing a piece of your white meat turkey is no problem for your pet. Turkey skin on the other hand can be dangerous. If the skin of your turkey is seasoned with onions, garlic or sage, these items will not settle well with cats and dogs. This means that stuffing is off limits too. Sage is especially used in these meals, but it can cause an upset stomach for cats. Make sure any white meat you give them is fully cooked to avoid salmonella poisoning.
2. Pumpkin Pie- Pumpkin on its own is perfectly fine for animals. In fact, some vets even recommend it for your pet’s digestive system. Ingredients in the pie that make it dangerous are nutmeg and cinnamon. Nutmeg contains myristicin which is a toxin that can cause seizures and other problems if consumed in large quantities. Cinnamon powder can cause diarrhea, vomiting and liver disease if dogs have too much. The best way to stay safe is to keep it away.
3. Turkey Bones- It might seem like a great idea to throw your dog a different kind of bone. However, this can be very dangerous and cause vomiting. It is not worth the risk. In a more serious scenario, the cooked bone could splinter and puncture the stomach. Stick to the bones you buy at the pet supermarket. Your dog will be just as happy.
4. Cranberry Sauce- You might notice that cranberries are included in many pet foods. So why can’t you slide some cranberry sauce into your dog’s food bowl? Sauces contain raisins and nuts that can harm your pet. In addition, these sauces have a high amount of sugar in them. Even if your sauce is homemade, it is best to avoid sharing with your pet.

It might be hard to avoid the puppy eyes and begging, but your dog will be better off eating the food meant for it. Not all “human food” is bad for animals, but do your research to understand what you can give them. It is better to have a safe Thanksgiving than having to take care of your sick pet.