Here’s everything you need to know to give your dog their own Thanksgiving — from what’s safe to serve straight from your kitchen to a few simple homemade treats that will have tails wagging all afternoon.
First, a Word About the Table Scraps
Before we get to the good stuff, it’s worth a quick note about why the traditional Thanksgiving spread isn’t as dog-friendly as it looks. Most of the dishes we love — turkey with seasonings and skin, mashed potatoes loaded with butter and garlic, green bean casserole, stuffing, and anything involving onions — are either too rich, too salty, or contain ingredients that are genuinely toxic to dogs. According to Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, vomiting and diarrhea from holiday table food are among the most common reasons dogs end up in the emergency room after Thanksgiving. The solution isn’t to leave your dog out of the celebration — it’s to make them their own version of it.
Building Your Dog’s Thanksgiving Plate
The good news is that several Thanksgiving staples are completely safe for dogs when prepared simply and served plain — no butter, no salt, no seasoning of any kind. Here’s what belongs on your dog’s holiday plate:
Turkey — The star of the show is fair game for dogs, as long as it’s boneless, skinless, and unseasoned. White meat is the leanest option and the safest choice. Set a small portion aside before it gets rubbed with seasoning or goes near the roasting pan drippings. According to Peak Paws Veterinary, plain shredded turkey breast is one of the best Thanksgiving offerings you can give your dog — lean protein with none of the risks.
Sweet Potato — A Thanksgiving classic that’s also genuinely nutritious for dogs — rich in fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamins. The key word is plain: scoop out a small portion before the marshmallows, butter, or brown sugar go anywhere near it. A few tablespoons of plain mashed or baked sweet potato is a treat most dogs go absolutely wild for.
Green Beans — Fresh or steamed green beans are low in calories and high in vitamins, making them one of the best vegetables you can share with your dog. Coventry Veterinary Clinic notes they’re a great addition to your dog’s holiday plate — just make sure they’re plain and not anywhere near the green bean casserole, which typically contains onions, garlic, and cream of mushroom soup.
Plain Pumpkin — Not pumpkin pie filling — plain, canned, or freshly cooked pumpkin is a fantastic addition to your dog’s Thanksgiving meal. It’s high in fiber, great for digestion, and most dogs love the flavor. A couple of tablespoons stirred into their regular food makes for a festive and functional holiday treat.
Carrots — Raw or lightly steamed, plain carrots make a great crunchy side for your dog’s plate. They’re low calorie, high in fiber, and many dogs love the texture.
A Simple Dog-Friendly Thanksgiving Plate
Put it all together and your dog’s Thanksgiving dinner looks something like this: a small portion of plain shredded turkey breast, a spoonful of plain mashed sweet potato, a few steamed green beans, and a dollop of plain pumpkin. Served at room temperature in their regular bowl — no fanfare needed, though they will absolutely provide their own.
Homemade Treats: The Dessert Course
If you want to go the extra mile, making a simple homemade treat is easier than you might think and genuinely fun to do while the rest of the meal is cooking. Bond Vet’s Turkey and Pumpkin Delights recipe is one of the simplest out there — just lean ground turkey, pure pumpkin purée, and plain gelatin, blended and set in the fridge. It takes about 20 minutes and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand for the holiday.
For something more festive, DoggieLawn’s Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Pupcakes are a crowd-pleaser — one cup of pure pumpkin purée, a quarter cup of natural peanut butter (make sure it contains no xylitol), one cup of whole wheat flour, a teaspoon of baking soda, and one egg, baked at 350°F for 20–25 minutes. They look the part, they smell incredible, and your dog will think you’ve completely lost your mind in the best possible way.
What to Keep Off the Menu
A few things are worth keeping firmly out of reach, no matter how convincingly your dog stares at you: turkey bones (they splinter and can cause serious internal injuries), stuffing (almost always contains onions and garlic, both of which are toxic to dogs), anything with xylitol, grapes or raisins, chocolate, and fatty foods like gravy and turkey skin, which can trigger pancreatitis. If you’re ever unsure about a specific ingredient, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center is available 24/7.
However you’re spending the holiday this year, we hope it’s surrounded by good food, good company, and at least one very happy dog. At Barkwells, we believe dogs belong at the heart of every celebration—and our dog-centric cabins in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Brevard, NC are designed with exactly that philosophy in mind. All Barkwells cabins and cottages feature fully equipped kitchens with everything you need to prepare a delicious Thanksgiving feast for you and your four-legged family members. Just bring your ingredients, your favorite recipes, and your pups! We’ll take care of the rest.
From our pack to yours, Happy Thanksgiving. ?
