Making the holiday warm, loving, and safe for your pup.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Its a day wrapped in warmth, good food, gratitude, and family. And for me, that always includes Benji. He’s part of every celebration, from the morning kitchen chaos to the late-night leftover sorting. And yes… he absolutely expects a plate of his own.
But as much as I adore sharing food with him, I’m mindful about what I share. When I say Benji gets turkey and sweet potatoes, I mean the plain versions, before the butter, salt, sugar, or gravy touch the pan. That’s “people food.” What he gets is the simple, species-appropriate version made just for him.
And honestly? It doesn’t take much time or effort to prepare a little something special for your pup before the true cooking frenzy begins.
Below is a list of dog-safe Thanksgiving ingredients along with foods that must stay off your pup’s plate, plus an easy, cozy recipe you can make so your dog feels completely included in the holiday feast.
Dog-Safe Thanksgiving Foods
Share in moderation — plain, unseasoned, cooked or raw when appropriate.
- Carrots — Crunchy and naturally sweet
- Celery — Great for pups who love a good crunch
- Turkey (no skin, no bones) — Lean, simple protein
- Corn (off the cob only) — Small amounts are okay
- Sweet potatoes — Soft, nourishing, full of fiber
- Green beans — Fresh or cooked
- Apples — No seeds or cores
- Pumpkin — 100% pumpkin purée only (not pumpkin pie filling)
These are simple, wholesome foods your dog can enjoy right alongside you while you prepare the big meal.
Foods Dogs Should Not Have
Some are toxic, others can cause severe digestive upset.
- Onions
- Leeks
- Ham
- Turkey skin
- Turkey bones (NO cooked bones ever)
- Casseroles (too many hidden ingredients)
- Garlic (large amounts = toxic)
- Grapes or raisins
- Stuffing (contains herbs, spices, onions)
It only takes one well-meaning guest slipping a table scrap to cause trouble, so a gentle reminder that “no feeding the dog from the table” goes a long way.
A Mindful Thanksgiving
Being mindful in the kitchen doesn’t mean missing out on sharing the moment. Quite the opposite, preparing a small, safe plate for your pup can be a beautiful way to include them in the day’s gratitude and togetherness.
I always want Benji beside me. He’s family, he’s tradition, he’s joy. And making sure he’s safe and well-fed is one of my favorite holiday rituals.
Thanksgiving Turkey & Sweet Potato Pup Bowl
Simple. Cozy. Festive. Benji-approved.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey (no seasoning)
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled + diced
- ½ cup green beans, chopped
- ½–1 cup cooked brown rice
- ¼ cup plain pumpkin purée (optional but festive)
- Splash of dog-friendly bone broth (unsalted, no onion/garlic)
Instructions
- Cook the ground turkey in a pan until no pink remains.
- Boil or steam the sweet potato until soft.
- Add sweet potato and green beans to the turkey and stir to combine.
- Add cooked brown rice and pumpkin purée.
- Thin with a splash of bone broth if needed.
- Cool completely before serving.
Serve a spoonful or two with your pup’s regular meal — or make it their very own Thanksgiving plate.
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