6 Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips

While gathering around the dining table to share what you’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, your beloved pet is likely at the top of your list. But Thanksgiving pet safety should be, too. This food-centric holiday is meant to be enjoyed with all our loved ones, including our furry friends. However, the festivities can come with unexpected dangers for pets. From seasonal foods to decorations and increased foot traffic, several holiday elements can be stressful or harmful for your dogs and cats. 

Fortunately, with the proper planning, awareness, and our Thanksgiving safety for pets you can keep your beloved companions healthy and protected this Thanksgiving while still letting them join in the celebration. Keep reading to learn our top Thanksgiving pet safety tips to help you keep your dog or cat safe on turkey day this year.

• What Makes Thanksgiving Dangerous for Pets?
• 6 Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips
• FAQs
• Final Notes

What Makes Thanksgiving Dangerous for Pets?

Before we discuss specific Thanksgiving pet safety tips, it’s important to understand why Thanksgiving can be particularly risky for our furry friends. Here are the main concerns to keep in mind: 

• Toxic foods: Many traditional Thanksgiving ingredients can be poisonous to pets. Herbs toxic to dogs and cats include alliums like onions, garlic, leeks, and chives, which are common in stuffing and side dishes.¹ Meanwhile, sugar-free desserts containing xylitol, chocolate treats, alcoholic beverages, and raw dough with active yeast can all cause serious health issues ranging from upset stomachs to life-threatening conditions.^2,3 Even small amounts of these ingredients can lead to emergency vet visits.
• Choking hazards: Thanksgiving also comes with potential choking risks for curious pets. Turkey bones are very dangerous since they can splinter and cause internal injuries or blockages.¹ Holiday decorations like artificial corn, miniature pumpkins, and plastic autumn leaves might look festive, but they can be tempting “toys” that pose serious choking risks if swallowed. Always keep them well out of your pet’s reach.³ 
• Kitchen dangers: The kitchen can be an especially hazardous zone during Thanksgiving prep. Hot ovens, stovetops, and pans can cause severe burns if pets jump up or bump into them. Sharp knives and other cooking tools left on counters pose additional risks. The increased cooking activity means more opportunities for accidents, especially if pets are underfoot, hoping for dropped scraps. 
• Holiday anxiety: While we enjoy the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving, our pets might find it overwhelming. The constant stream of unfamiliar visitors, unusual noises, changes in routine, and general chaos can trigger anxiety in many pets.³ Watch for signs of stress like hiding, excessive panting, pacing, or unusual aggression. Some pets may need a sanctuary space to retreat from the festivities. 
• Travel: If your Thanksgiving plans involve travel, this creates additional considerations for pet safety. Whether you’re taking your pet along or arranging for their care while away, proper planning is essential. Long car rides can be stressful for some pets, and staying in new environments requires careful pet-proofing. If boarding your pet, ensure their vaccinations are up to date and book well in advance so holiday slots fill quickly.³

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to enjoy family, food, and togetherness, but for pet parents, it’s essential to keep our furry friends safe around holiday treats and decorations. Foods like turkey skin, gravy, and stuffing can be high in fats and spices that upset a pet's stomach or even lead to more severe conditions like pancreatitis. Instead, try offering small portions of plain, cooked turkey meat as a safe treat. Let’s make Thanksgiving memorable for the right reasons by prioritizing our pets’ health and safety.” - Dr. Abel Gonzalez, Clinical Director at Dutch

6 Thanksgiving Pet Safety Tips 

Now that you understand the potential dangers of holidays for pets, let's discuss some pet safety tips for Thanksgiving to ensure your dog and/or cat can have a happy, healthy holiday.

1. Keep Food Out of Reach

While sharing your holiday feast with your pets is tempting, many Thanksgiving dishes can be dangerous for them. You can make a pet-safe environment by keeping these foods out of reach of your furry friends: 

• Seasoned turkey, especially skin and bones
• Stuffing
• Gravy and fatty goods
• Chocolate desserts and sweets
• Anything containing xylitol
• Mashed potatoes with butter and seasonings
• Cranberry sauce with added sugar
• Alcoholic beverages
• Raw dough or batter

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can’t share any Thanksgiving food with your dog or cat. There are plenty of safe alternatives you can feed your pet this Thanksgiving, such as: 

• Plain, unseasoned turkey meat (no skin or bones)
• Plain cooked pumpkin (not pie filling)
• Plain sweet potatoes (before butter and seasonings)
• Plain cooked peas
• Fresh apple slices (no seeds)

Keep in mind that while plain turkey is generally safe for dogs and cats, ham is considered potentially dangerous because it’s cured with salt and typically seasoned with a variety of herbs that can be potentially toxic to pets. 

To keep your pets safe while still including them in the celebration, consider creating a special “pet plate” with approved foods rather than sharing from your own dish. Be diligent about storing leftovers immediately after meals and securing garbage bins to prevent curious pets from scavenging. Make sure to inform all guests about your “no sharing” policy for food, and keep pet treats readily available to redirect any begging behavior — this way, your pet can still feel included without risking their health.

2. Take precautions when cooking & cleaning

Always be careful when cooking and cleaning. Never leave the oven on and unattended. Additionally, be extra careful if you’re frying turkey in oil – always fry turkeys outdoors and follow proper defrosting techniques. In most cases, try to keep your pet out of the kitchen by using a baby gate or letting your guests distract them while you cook. It could become dangerous for both of you if your pet is underfoot trying to get crumbs, potentially leading you to trip over them with hot food in your hands. 

In addition to cooking, you should consider the safety of your cleanup. When cooking for family or other guests, you may end up with tons of trash, especially if you're using disposable tableware. In addition, some guests might not finish all the food on their plates and want to throw it out. Always keep your trash inaccessible to pets. Consider taking the turkey carcass to the trash bin outside your home so your pet cannot get to it. In addition, you should remove any bones or anything else that could be dangerous to your pet's health from your home as soon as possible. 

3. Don't leave pets (and ovens) home alone

You leave your pet home alone all the time, so you may figure it'll be okay during Thanksgiving. However, you should never leave your pet home alone when the stove or oven is on. If you must leave pets home alone to run errands or visit family and friends, always turn the stove and other appliances off to prevent fire hazards. 

4. Prepare for travel in advance

When you travel for Thanksgiving, you have two options: take your pet or leave them at home. If you take your pet, you'll need to plan for how to keep them occupied when you make it to your destination and how to keep them calm during the car ride. If you're traveling across state lines, your pet will need a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian for some states, so you should ensure you have the proper documentation.³

If you choose not to travel with your pet, you can board them or get a pet sitter. However, if you plan to board your dog, they'll need to be up to date on their vaccinations. In addition, you should only ever hire someone you trust to watch your pet while you're away. 

5. Make sure decorations are safe for your pets 

Thanksgiving is a holiday for festive decorations. However, these decorations can be dangerous to your pets. For example, candles with open flames should be kept away from pets.³ In addition, you should be mindful of any flowers or houseplants you may use to decorate during Thanksgiving. For example, around Thanksgiving, you might start planning for Christmas and have mistletoe lying around. However, mistletoe is toxic to pets. 

6. Create comfort & coziness for your animals 

When hosting Thanksgiving at your home, consider giving your pet their own sanctuary space where they can get away from all the people and noise. Remember, crowded spaces, new people, and loud noises can all trigger anxiety in pets. 

If your pet has severe anxiety, especially around people or other pets, consider talking to a vet who can help you manage and treat your cat or dog's anxiety before Thanksgiving. Of course, anxiety treatment for cats and dogs may require extensive behavioral therapy. Still, your vet may be able to prescribe short-lasting anxiety medication to ease their stress during busy holidays. 

FAQs

Is Thanksgiving food safe for pets?

Most traditional Thanksgiving dishes are not safe for pets due to their seasonings, fats, and ingredients. While there are some exceptions, like plain turkey meat, plain pumpkin, and plain sweet potatoes, the majority of holiday foods can cause stomach upset or even toxicity in pets. Particularly dangerous items are stuffing, gravy, seasoned dishes, and turkey bones. If you want to include our pet in the feast, create a separate plate with pet-safe portions of plain foods.

Looking for special treats to add to your pet’s plate this Thanksgiving? Shop pet nutrition or visit our online pet store.

What are the do's and don'ts for pets on Thanksgiving?

You know your pet best, and every one is different, so how your pets act on Thanksgiving will depend on how they act around people, human food, and decorations on a daily basis.

In general, do's for pets on Thanksgiving include:

• Keep food away from them.
• Remove trash, bones, and animal carcasses from your home as soon as possible.
• Establish ground rules with guests to keep your pet safe.

A few don'ts include:

• Share food off your plate since it contains seasoned and fatty foods. If you want to give your pets holiday food, make them their own plate and only feed them plain, safe food items. 
• Ignore their needs. Pets may let you know when they're anxious by their body language. If your pet is getting anxious, consider taking them to a quiet room where they can calm down. 
• Leave your plate unattended because curious pets could jump on tables and chairs to eat your food.

What are some tips for pet fire safety?

Pet safety tips for Thanksgiving include more than just food. There are potential dangers everywhere. With decorations that may include candles and cooking that can lead to fires, it’s essential to take precautions to protect your pets. Keep pets out of the kitchen during cooking using baby gates or closed doors. You should never leave cooking food unattended, especially when using the stovetop or oven.

Additionally, keep pets away from lit candles, and consider using battery-operated alternatives for holiday ambiance.

It’s always a good idea to install smoke detectors on every level of your home and include pets in your family’s fire evacuation plan.

When leaving home, always ensure appliances and heat sources are turned off, as curious pets might knock things over or turn knobs while you’re away.

Final Notes

Hopefully, these pet Thanksgiving safety tips can help ensure your dog or cat has a happy and safe holiday. The best thing you can do to keep them safe is to plan ahead. Keep these tips in mind and be sure to consult your vet with any questions you have before the big day.

In addition, if you have a naturally anxious pet that might get triggered by all the festivities, you can talk to a vet about your options for pet anxiety treatment. Does your dog or cat get anxious when you celebrate the holidays? Talk to a Dutch vet. We can help diagnose and treat anxiety in pets to improve their quality of life and help them enjoy Thanksgiving.