Tips for feeding pets Thanksgiving leftovers

With the holiday season kicking off with Thanksgiving next week, your dog or cat will be begging to be a part of your family dinner. While most people admit to sharing scraps and bits of dinner with their furry family members, there are some foods you should avoid sharing.

Turkey is good

Turkey is a great lean protein to share with your four legged friend. Make sure to remove any extra skin, fat, and bones and remember that what meat is best and you can share Thanksgiving with all the members of your family.

Onions are not

Anything that falls in the allium family (i.e. onions, garlic, scallions, etc.) should be avoided. Even if your pet is used to it, small, well-cooked portions of these foods can be okay but you want to avoid in large quantities to avoid toxic anemia.

Bring on the mashed potatoes

Potatoes are a great way to add a filling vegetable that is also a treat to your pet’s diet. But just make sure to set aside a portion for them before you add all the tasty goodness humans like. Cheese, sour cream, butter, onions and gravy, all the things that make mashed potatoes so delicious, are definitely not for your furry friends.

Keep the chocolate away

Although it is a well-known no-no for pets, it still pays to mention that chocolate and pets do not mix. It’s easy to keep an eye on the sweets on the table but don’t forget the recipes that include baking chocolate that may be hidden in the recipe and then forgotten.

Yes to macaroni and cheese

As long as you know your pet doesn’t have any lactose issues, feel free to share this tasty treat. And if they are lactose intolerant, such as a lot of cats as they grow older, skip the cheese and hand over the macaroni.

Booze is bad

Like chocolate, keeping the alcohol away from your pets seems to be a no brainer. Even the smallest amount can be toxic so make sure to keep that in mind with atypical treats such as fruit cake or even unbaked bread.