🦃 Protect Their Tummy, and Your Holiday!
Keep your pets healthy and happy this Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to gather, feast, and give thanks — but it’s also one of the riskiest times of year for our pets. Veterinary clinics report an increase in emergency visits for vomiting and diarrhea during the holidays, and according to Nationwide Pet Insurance, Thanksgiving through December accounts for a significant number of pet toxicity claims.
While a little indulgence might be part of the fun for humans, even small portions of holiday foods can cause serious digestive issues for pets. Here’s what every pet parent should know to keep furry family members safe during the celebrations.
Why our holiday food can be harmful to pets
Many Thanksgiving dishes contain ingredients that are tasty to us but toxic or difficult for pets to digest. Below are some of the most common foods found on holiday tables, but keep in mind that every home has its own traditions and recipes — so there may be other ingredients not listed here that can also pose a risk to your pets.
- Fatty foods: Rich gravies, dressings, and turkey skin are high in fat and can lead to pancreatitis — a painful and potentially life-threatening condition.
- Yeast Products: like raw bread dough.
- Bones: Poultry bones, once cooked, become brittle and can splinter, causing choking, intestinal blockage, or tears in the digestive tract.
- Sauces and seasonings: Ingredients like onion, garlic, salt, and butter -just to name a few- can upset your pet’s stomach or even cause poisoning.
- Desserts: Chocolate and xylitol (a common sugar substitute) can cause vomiting, seizures, liver damage, or even death.
Even small table scraps — including gravy, sauces, dressing, or meat fat — can trigger stomach upset, diarrhea, or inflammation.
Human Thanksgiving foods that are toxic to pets
It’s easy to forget that some foods we consider healthy are actually dangerous to animals. While this list highlights the most common ingredients found in holiday dishes, please note that not all harmful ingredients are included — it’s meant as a general guide to help you identify the biggest risks.
- Onions and garlic
- Raisins and grapes
- Chocolate (dark, milk, and cocoa powder)
- Alcohol
- Artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol)
- Macadamia nuts
- Coffee and caffeine
Even a few bites can cause toxicity, dehydration, or organ damage. Be especially careful with desserts, leftovers, and anything tossed into the trash.
Safe Thanksgiving treats for your dog or cat
If you want your pet to join the celebration, you can safely share some Thanksgiving flavors — just skip the salt, butter, and spices.
Consider these pet-safe options (plain, unseasoned, and cooked):
- Turkey meat and giblets (no skin or bones)
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- Green beans
- Carrots (raw or cooked)
- Apples (without seeds, sugar, or pie crust!)
Or, for peace of mind, choose treats and chews made specifically for pets — they’re formulated to be gentle on tummies and won’t pose hidden risks.
Be holiday-ready: grooming and freshness for your pets
Between family gatherings, outdoor walks, and cozy time indoors, the holidays can get messy for both people and pets. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping your furry friends clean, comfortable, and photo-ready for the festivities. Visit our TropiClean Dog Grooming and Cat Grooming Collections.
Here’s how to prepare:
- Groom in advance: A quick bath or trim before guests arrive keeps shedding under control and your pet smelling fresh. If you love our best selling Papaya and Coconut Pet Grooming Collection, try the TropiClean Papaya & Coconut Pet Grooming Essentials Bundle, which offers all the necessities in the same scent: 2-In-1 Pet Shampoo and Conditioner, the pet wipes, the pet deodorizer, and the pet waterless shampoo.
- Freshen their breath: Use TropiClean Fresh Breath Water Additives or other Dental Health Solutions like the TropiClean Fresh Breath Mint Foam for Pets to help your pet greet guests with confidence (and no “dog breath”).
- Keep waterless shampoo on hand: Products like TropiClean Waterless Shampoos are perfect for quick cleanups after outdoor play or unexpected spills — no tub required.
- Wipes for everyday messes: TropiClean Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes or Deodorizing Pet Wipes make it easy to clean paws after walks, especially during wet or muddy weather.
Being prepared ensures your pet feels (and smells) their best all season long — and keeps your home holiday-ready, too.
What to do if your pet eats something they shouldn’t
Even with the best intentions, accidents can happen. If your dog or cat shows signs of distress after eating something unusual — such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy — contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Call the vet's office as you're on your way to let them know what kind of emergency they will have to handle when you arrive and be prepared.
For additional guidance, you can also reach out to a poison control hotline such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline. Availability and numbers may vary by location, so take the time to look for and have these numbers handy.
Be prepared to share as many details as possible with the vet, including:
- The brand and ingredients of the food or item consumed
- How much your pet ate
- The time of ingestion
- Any symptoms your pet is showing
Quick action can make a life-saving difference, so trust your instincts and seek help right away if you’re unsure.
Keep curious paws out of the trash
Once the feast is over, your leftovers and trash become a tempting danger zone.
Keep bins tightly sealed, and avoid leaving food unattended on countertops or tables. Many post-meal emergencies occur when pets sneak bones or fatty scraps from the trash.
If you dog or cat gets into the trash, check if you're missing anything they might have ingested. If nothing is missing, you will have a stinker roaming around the house and cleaning their nose on the couch, just pull out a TropiClean PURE Hypoallergenic Plant-Based Wipes for Dogs & Cats and you'll be ready to move on to the next conversation.
Fresh breath and a healthy mouth go paw-in-paw
Even if your pet doesn’t sneak table scraps, holiday food smells can linger. Help keep their mouths fresh and healthy with regular oral care routines.
Products like TropiClean Fresh Breath Oral Care Water Additive Plus Hip & Joint and TropiClean Fresh Breath Dental Health Solutions make it easy to support dental hygiene — simply add to their water bowl for cleaner teeth, fresher breath, and a healthier smile.
A safe celebration is the best gift you can give
Thanksgiving should be filled with joy, love, and gratitude — not emergency vet visits. By keeping tempting foods out of reach and treating your pets to safe, healthy alternatives, you can ensure everyone in the family enjoys a stress-free holiday.
Key Takeaways for Pet Parents
- Keep all human food out of your pet’s reach — including countertops and trash cans.
- Skip sharing table scraps like gravy, dressings, or fatty meats.
- Avoid known toxins frequently available during Thanksgiving like onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and xylitol.
- Share the love safely with pet-approved treats.
- Prep your pet for the holidays with easy grooming, wipes, and fresh breath solutions.
- Always keep handy: your vet's and your local emergency vet's phone numbers.
