- ⏱️ 6 min read
- 🐶 For dogs
- 🦃 Thanksgiving
- 🍽️ Hosting guests
The table is full, guests keep sneaking bites under it, and your dog has decided that every chair is a vending machine. You want your dog to feel part of the day without a stomach upset or a call to the emergency vet.
The answer is to plan your dog's Thanksgiving treats before the cooking starts. At Petstone we see four dog-safe options that work instead of table scraps: a plain portion set aside early, plain vegetables, a stuffed treat toy and a ready-made single-ingredient treat. Here is how they compare.
Quick answer
- Set aside a small piece of plain, boneless, skinless turkey before any seasoning, butter or gravy goes on.
- Plain green beans, plain sweet potato and pure pumpkin puree are on the AKC's list of Thanksgiving foods dogs can share.
- A stuffed treat toy keeps your dog busy while you eat.
- A bowl of single-ingredient treats gives guests something safe to hand out.
- Whatever you choose, keep treats within about 10% of your dog's daily calories.
Why plan a Thanksgiving treat for your dog at all?
Most holiday trouble starts with good intentions. A guest slips a piece of skin, a bit of stuffing or a bone with meat on it, and nobody tells you.
The AKC's guide to Thanksgiving foods for dogs lists turkey bones, skin and gravy, stuffing, casseroles, onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol and yeast dough among the foods to avoid. It also warns that fatty turkey skin can trigger painful and dangerous pancreatitis. A plan gives everyone a safe yes.
Option 1: A plain portion set aside before seasoning
✅ Pros
- Your dog gets real holiday turkey
- No extra shopping
⚠️ Cons
- Easy to forget once the cooking starts
- Only safe if it is boneless, skinless and unseasoned
🎯 Best for: organized cooks who can cut a piece aside before the butter and spices go on.
Option 2: Plain vegetables from the same meal
The AKC says plain green beans, plain mashed sweet potato, boiled or baked potato, plain peas and pure pumpkin puree can be shared. Butter, salt, marshmallows, brown sugar and cream are what turn them into a problem.
✅ Pros
- Light and filling
- Easy to scoop into a separate dish early
⚠️ Cons
- Many dogs are less excited by vegetables
- Sides are usually seasoned once they reach the table
Fill a small labeled dish with your dog's plain portion and keep it on the counter. Guests who want to share can take from that dish instead of their plates.
Option 3: A stuffed treat toy during the meal
A rubber treat dispenser filled with part of your dog's normal food gives your dog a job while people eat. It works well for dogs that beg or bark at the table.
✅ Pros
- Keeps your dog busy and away from the table
- Can use your dog's regular food
⚠️ Cons
- Needs supervision
- Not every dog stays interested
Option 4: Ready-made single-ingredient treats
A bag of plain treats is the easiest thing to put in guests' hands. Look for a short label, a known calorie count per piece and pieces you can break small.
According to Farm to Pet, each bag holds one ingredient, turkey breast or chicken breast, and each chip has about 7 calories. The chips snap into smaller pieces for small dogs.
See the Turkey and Chicken Chips duoThe Farm to Pet Turkey and Chicken Chips duo is not right for dogs that cannot eat chicken or turkey, and it still counts toward the day's calories. For sizes, calories and fit, read our full guide to Farm to Pet Turkey and Chicken Chips.
Compare the four options for your dog
| Option | Effort | Keeps dog busy | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain portion set aside | Medium, must cut it early | Briefly | Bones, skin, seasoning, gravy |
| Plain vegetables | Low | Briefly | Butter, salt, sugar, cream |
| Stuffed treat toy | Medium | Yes | Needs supervision |
| Single-ingredient treats | Low | Briefly | Calories add up if every guest gives some |
How many treats are safe on the day?
The AKC says treats should stay within about 10% of daily calories, and that the limit is about calories, not the number of pieces. On a big treat day, the AKC suggests trimming your dog's regular meal slightly.
- Decide your dog's treat amount for the day in the morning.
- Put that amount in one dish, and nothing more.
- Tell guests the dish is the only food your dog gets.
- Break treats into small pieces so the dish lasts all afternoon.
Safety and when to call your vet
The AKC asks owners to make sure guests and children ask before sharing food, and to secure the trash. If your dog eats something unsafe, contact your vet, an emergency clinic or a pet poison helpline right away. Call your vet too if vomiting, diarrhea or discomfort is persistent, severe or getting worse, and ask before adding new treats to a special diet.
Shop this guide at Petstone
Safe things to hand over and a way to keep your dog busy while you eat.
Farm To PetTurkey and Chicken Chips DuoA simple treat bowl for guests to share fromView product
SodaPupRoasted Turkey Treat DispenserFor dogs that beg at the table and need a jobView product
Farm To PetTurkey ChipsFor dogs that do best on turkey onlyView product
🎁 Buy any 2 items and save 5%, applied automatically at checkout. Unused items can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
Related Petstone guides
FAQ
What can I give my dog on Thanksgiving instead of table scraps?
A small plain portion of boneless, skinless, unseasoned turkey, plain vegetables such as green beans, a stuffed treat toy or a single-ingredient treat. Keep the total within about 10% of daily calories.
Can dogs eat green beans at Thanksgiving?
Yes, if they are plain. The AKC says to serve them without butter, salt or other added ingredients.
How do I stop guests feeding my dog?
Tell guests early, keep one labeled dish of your dog's allowed treats, and give your dog a stuffed toy or a quiet room during the meal.
Is pumpkin pie safe for dogs?
No. The AKC says to use only pure pumpkin puree, not spiced or sugary pie mix, and to keep sweets and anything with xylitol away from dogs.
Sources
- AKC: Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs (foods dogs can share, foods to avoid, pancreatitis, guests and trash)
- AKC: How Many Treats Can a Dog Have? (10% of daily calories, adjusting meals)
- Farm to Pet: Turkey and Chicken Chip Dog Treat Duo (ingredients, calories per chip, breaking chips)
Prepared by the Petstone team from product information, brand specifications and common owner questions, drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a person before publishing.