Thanksgiving Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs and Cats

Keep your pet safe during holiday feasts. Foods to avoid and safer treats to share.

Editorial TeamNovember 4, 20261 min read

Holiday meals are full of foods that can upset pets — or be dangerous. Busy kitchens and generous guests make accidents more likely, so it's worth knowing what to avoid.

Foods to keep away from pets

Cooked bones: can splinter and cause choking or internal injury.
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives: toxic to dogs and cats, even cooked.
Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney problems in dogs.
Chocolate: toxic to dogs and cats.
Xylitol (a sweetener in some baked goods and gum): very dangerous for dogs.
Fatty scraps, skin and gravy: can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis.
Alcohol and raw dough.

Tell your guestsAsk visitors not to feed pets from the table, and keep bins securely closed.

Safer treats

Small amounts of plain, cooked turkey breast with no skin, bones or seasoning, or plain cooked carrots or green beans, are usually fine for most dogs. Introduce any new food in small amounts.