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More than half of dog owners say their pet has eaten something not meant for them on Thanksgiving - often resulting in an emergency trip to the vet
Julia Mustoin New YorkTuesday 25 November 2025 19:23 GMTComments
CloseWhy you shouldn't feed your pet Thanksgiving food
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You may think you’re showing love to your pup when sneaking them a taste of Thanksgiving feast - but veterinarians warn that feeding your dog or cat could come with dangerous consequences.
Many foods that humans enjoy are either toxic to pets or can cause gastrointestinal distress. Not knowing what’s OK to feed animals, and what’s a risk, can send your “fur child” to the animal hospital this holiday season.
Vets report seeing a surge in emergency visits on Thanksgiving, and a 2023 survey found more than half of dog owners said their pet had eaten something they shouldn’t have over the holiday.
"The biggest dangers are foods that are either toxic to pets, such as onions and garlic, foods that can cause gastrointestinal upset because they are too rich, or foods that are very different from the pet's usual diet,” Dr. Aya Alt, the medical director of VCA Broadway Animal Hospital and Pet Center in Boulder, Colorado, told People.
“If you're having a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner, make sure your guests know which ingredients may be toxic to pets," she added.
open image in galleryDogs may beg for scraps of Thanksgiving or dessert - even a turkey bone. But veterinarians warn that giving into those puppy dog eyes may come with major consequences (Getty/iStock)Some major “no-nos” include alcohol, milk, dairy products, onions, garlic, cooked bones, grapes, raisins, raw meat, and fish.
Even small amounts of alcohol can result in toxicity for cats, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
And while chocolate is a delicious after-dinner treat for humans, it can lead to tremors, seizures, fever and even a coma between two to 12 hours after ingesting the product in dogs. This is because chocolate has caffeine and the stimulant theobromine, both of which are toxic to canines.
“The amount of theobromine and caffeine in a chocolate product varies, but generally, the darker the chocolate, the higher the risk to dogs,” according to the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center.
Grapes and raisins can cause gastrointestinal distress and even kidney failure. It’s not yet known why this is the case, but a form of acid in the fruit known as tartaric acid has recently been identified as a possible culprit.
Onions and garlic also contain a compound that can be toxic called “N-propyl disulfide.” The compound damages red blood cells and can lead to not enough healthy red blood cells, severe organ failure and death.
“In most cases, consumption causes gastroenteritis or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Irritation of the mouth, drooling, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur,” VCA Animals Hospitals warned.
Milk, meat, fish and cooked bones are also off the menu for cats and dogs. But pets can choke on bones, and cooked bones can splinter when swallowed and even tear the esophagus. That may lead food and other bacteria to leak into the chest, causing infection and severe pain.
open image in galleryCats can easily choke on cooked bones, which can also break up and become lodged or tear their esophagus (Getty Images/iStock)“Raw and cooked bones can both cause splinters in your dog's mouth and digestive tract, causing injury and potentially even death (although this is more common with cooked bones),” Georgia’s Chestview Animals Hospital & Emergency said.
Like millions of American people, many dogs and cats are also intolerant to milk’s sugar lactose, as well. This can result in similar problems with digestion.
Raw meat and fish carry the risk of foodborne illness, much like the proteins can for humans.
“Raw meat and fish contain germs that can cause serious illness to both pets and humans, so it needs to be handled safely,” Cardiff Metropolitan University researchers wrote in The Conversation.
Alas, pumpkin pie is a no-go, too, according to the American Kennel Club. The festive dessert has condensed milk, spices and sweetening that can be unsafe for dogs.
Pumpkin pie spice contains nutmeg, a spice that can lead to seizures and be fatal for dogs in high doses. It’s sometimes made with allspice, which has the compound eugenol - a compound that can poison dogs.
However, they can eat regular, pure pumpkin. “It’s low in fat, contains vitamins, and is high in fiber. Pumpkin is often recommended for digestive upsets like doggie diarrhea,” the Kennel Club said.
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