đŸŸ Why Thanksgiving Can Be Risky for Pets

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest holidays of the year—crowded kitchens, nonstop cooking, open doors, traveling family members, and tons of tempting food. While it’s a wonderful celebration for humans, many common Thanksgiving traditions can accidentally put your dog at risk. From toxic foods to overstimulation, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s your complete Thanksgiving Pet-Safety Checklist to keep your pup happy, healthy, and safe.  

✅ 1. Protect Your Dog From Dangerous Thanksgiving Foods

Holiday dishes are full of ingredients dogs should not eat. Make sure family and guests follow the “No Table Scraps Rule.” 

Unsafe Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs

  • Turkey bones (splinter and cause internal injury) 
  • Turkey skin or gravy (high fat → pancreatitis risk) 
  • Stuffing (onions, garlic, butter) 
  • Desserts (xylitol, chocolate, sugar) 
  • Casseroles (salt, butter, seasonings) 
  • Alcohol 
  • Yeast dough 
  • Nut-heavy dishes (macadamia nuts especially) 

Safe Alternatives

Offer dog-safe items instead:  

  • Plain turkey (no skin, no bones) 
  • Steamed green beans 
  • Plain pumpkin puree 
  • Sweet potato (no seasoning) 
  • Patty’s Pet Foods human-grade turkey treats (perfect during meal time!) 

👉 Pro Tip: Print a small sign for your food table that says “Please don’t feed the dog.” It works.  

✅ 2. Secure the Trash Before the Feast Begins

Holiday trash is a major danger zone, especially:  

  • Turkey bones 
  • Food packaging 
  • String used to tie the turkey 
  • Grease-soaked foil 
  • Plastic wrap 
  • Dessert scraps 

Use a covered can, take trash out twice as often, and keep it in a closed-off area so pets can’t get into it.  

✅ 3. Manage Doors & Guests to Prevent Escapes

With guests coming and going, your pup has many chances to slip out unnoticed. 

Quick Safety Tips:

  • Assign one family member as the “dog watcher” during guest arrival times 
  • Use baby gates near entryways 
  • Keep your dog’s ID tags updated 
  • Double-check that your dog’s microchip info is current 
  • Create a “no open doors” rule for kids 

👉 Busy-household hack: Put a sign on the front door—“Pets Inside: Please Close Quickly.”  

✅ 4. Create a Quiet, Calming Space for Anxious or Overstimulated Dogs

Thanksgiving noise can overwhelm even the most social dogs. Set up a calming space with:  

  • Their bed or crate 
  • Calming treats (like Patty’s Pet Foods Chill-Out Calming Chews) 
  • Soft music 
  • A favorite toy 
  • A water bowl 
  • A “do not disturb” boundary for guests 

This helps prevent anxiety, barking, hiding, or sudden reactivity.  

✅ 5. Keep Holiday DĂ©cor Pet-Safe

Décor hazards to watch for:  

  • Lit candles (tail fire risk!) 
  • Fall plants (some are toxic to dogs) 
  • Decorative corn + pinecones (choking hazards) 
  • Table centerpieces (dogs LOVE to steal food from them) 
  • Electrical cords 

Place décor higher than nose level, use cord protectors, and never leave candles unsupervised.  

✅ 6. Maintain Your Dog’s Normal Routine

Dogs thrive on predictable structure. Holiday chaos can cause stress, upset stomachs, and accidents. Try to keep:  

  • Walks at normal times 
  • Meal schedule unchanged 
  • Treats limited 
  • Water available at all times 
  • Quiet time built into the day 

👉 Before the Thanksgiving feast, take your dog for a long walk to reduce excess energy.  

✅ 7. Give Your Dog Something Special (and Safe!) to Enjoy

Instead of begging at the table, give your dog:  

  • A long-lasting chew 
  • A frozen lick mat 
  • A stuffed Kong with pumpkin 
  • A special holiday treat 

✹ Patty’s Pet Foods Holiday Dog Treat Bundle Perfect for keeping your dog busy, calm, and safely occupied during Thanksgiving dinner.  

🧡 Final Thoughts: A Safe Thanksgiving Is a Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude—and part of that is taking care of the pets who bring so much joy to our lives. With this quick pet-safety checklist, you can enjoy the holiday knowing your dog is protected from hidden dangers.  

 Want safe, human-grade treats your dog can enjoy year-round (including Thanksgiving)?  Shop Patty’s Pet Foods’ all-natural treats here: www.pattyspetfoods.comÂ