Dog with a Blog: A Dog’s Thanksgiving

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Nora Lucas, JagWire editor-in-chief

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection, togetherness and obviously, lots and lots of food. In many cases, families end Thanksgiving with tons of leftovers, and wonder if feeding the dog can help open up fridge space. Dogs love treats, but some are better than others. Here is a guide to help figure out what’s OK — and what’s not.

Turkey: Although turkey is often considered an obvious choice (it is found in most brand dog food), Thanksgiving turkey is often slathered with oil, fat and sugar. Normal, everyday turkey is fine, but roasted Thanksgiving turkey is a no-go according to the American Kennel Club. Eating high amounts of Thanksgiving turkey results anywhere from stomach aches to pancreatitis.

Potatoes: Cooked, plain potatoes in moderation are a good choice for dogs, especially sweet potatoes, which have plenty of healthy nutrients. Mashed potatoes, however, are loaded with salt, butter, and fat, making them an ineligible choice for a dog’s diet. Deciding whether potatoes are appropriate depends on your dog as well, according to PetMD. Active dogs can burn this starch, but older or lazier dogs may gain weight. Remember, dogs also benefit from vegetables found in salad such as carrots or lettuce.

Bread: Yeast in a dog’s stomach is like baking soda and vinegar: it does not end well. The holidays are for enjoying your family and having a positive experience, not cleaning up your poor dog’s mess. In short, don’t try it.

Pumpkin pie: Sadly, dogs are not supposed to eat any kind of sugary meal. This includes all chocolate, candy, baked good or the like. An easy substitute would be a treat MADE for dogs found in a respected retailer.

If you are unsure about what’s OK for dogs and what’s not, just Google it. There are many resources available to keep your dog healthy and your family happy. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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