Thanksgiving in a houseful of family, food, and a dog who's convinced every dropped crumb was meant for them is one of the trickier days of the year for pet owners. Between the cooking, the guests, and the general chaos of the holiday, it's easy for something risky to end up within reach of a curious nose. Here's what I remind my clients every year around this time.
Foods that seem harmless but aren't
A lot of classic Thanksgiving dishes have ingredients that are genuinely dangerous for dogs, even in small amounts.
- Turkey bones, cooked or raw, can splinter and cause choking or internal injury
- Stuffing often contains onions and garlic, both toxic to dogs in enough quantity
- Gravy and turkey skin are usually loaded with fat, which can trigger pancreatitis
- Grapes and raisins, common in some stuffing or dessert recipes, are toxic even in small amounts
- Xylitol, a sugar substitute that shows up in some "lighter" desserts and baked goods, is extremely toxic to dogs
A full house makes supervision harder
With guests coming and going, kids underfoot, and plates set down on coffee tables for just a second, it's a lot easier for a dog to grab something they shouldn't than on a normal day. Setting food on counters rather than low tables, keeping an eye on trash cans during cleanup, and asking guests not to feed the dog from the table all help more than people expect.
Travel and houseguests add their own stress
Even if nobody's physically leaving town, a house full of unfamiliar people and extra noise is a lot for some dogs to process. Giving your dog a quiet space to retreat to, whether that's a crate, a bedroom, or just a corner away from the main gathering, can make the day easier on a dog who gets overwhelmed. If you are traveling for the holiday, this is also one of the busiest booking weeks of the year for pet sitters, so lining up coverage sooner rather than later matters.
What to do if your dog does get into something
If you know or suspect your dog ate something on this list, don't wait to see what happens. Call your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away and have an idea of how much and when they ate it. Acting quickly makes a real difference.
Here to help over the holiday
If you need someone to walk or check in on your dog while you're busy hosting, or you're traveling for the holiday and need a sitter, I'd be glad to help. I'm Riley, owner of Riley's Dog Walking, offering dog walking and pet sitting across Williamsville, Amherst, Buffalo, and the greater WNY area. Fully insured, and every new client starts with a free meet and greet.
914-261-0365 | rileydogwalking.com
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your pup.