Celebrate Thanksgiving with your furry family member by treating them to a specially crafted Dog Thanksgiving Dinner! This delicious and canine-friendly meal is designed to delight your pup while keeping their health and safety in mind. Packed with wholesome ingredients and flavors, this recipe will have your dog eagerly wagging their tail at the dinner table.
Thanksgiving is a time when we gather with family and friends to express our gratitude for the blessings in our lives. Our four-legged family members deserve to be a part of this celebration as well. This Dog Thanksgiving dinner recipe is a wholesome and canine-friendly alternative to the traditional human Thanksgiving meal. It's important to remember that while sharing this special meal with your pup, you should avoid using ingredients that are harmful to dogs, such as onions and excessive spices.
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Is Thanksgiving Food Safe for Dogs?
Thanksgiving foods can be safe for dogs in moderation, but it's essential to be cautious about what you feed them. While many of the traditional Thanksgiving foods are safe for dogs to consume, there are also several dishes that can be harmful or even toxic to them. Here's a breakdown of some common Thanksgiving foods and whether they are safe for dogs:
Safe Thanksgiving Food for Dogs
- Plain Cooked Turkey: Boneless, skinless, and well-cooked turkey meat is generally safe for dogs. Avoid seasoning, spices, and excessive fat or skin.
- Plain Sweet Potatoes: Plain, cooked sweet potatoes without any added seasonings or spices can be a healthy treat for dogs. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamins and fiber.
- Plain Green Beans: Plain, steamed or boiled green beans are safe for dogs and can provide some extra fiber and nutrients.
- Plain Pumpkin: Plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) can be a good source of fiber and can help with digestion.
- Cranberries: Fresh cranberries in small quantities or unsweetened cranberry sauce (without additives) may be okay for some dogs. They can be beneficial for urinary tract health.
- Plain Brown Rice: Plain cooked brown rice can be included in your dog's meal for some added carbohydrates.
Potentially Harmful or Toxic Foods:
- Onions and Garlic: These ingredients, whether raw, cooked, or powdered, are toxic to dogs and should be avoided.
- Gravy: Many gravies contain ingredients like onions, garlic, and excessive salt, which can be harmful to dogs. Gravy should be avoided unless it's specifically made for dogs.
- Stuffing: Traditional stuffing often contains onions, garlic, and sometimes raisins, all of which are harmful to dogs.
- Bones: While it may seem tempting to give your dog turkey bones, they can splinter and cause choking or internal injuries. Never give your dog bones from your Thanksgiving meal.
- Desserts: Many Thanksgiving desserts, like pies and cakes, contain ingredients like chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, and xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely toxic to them. Keep desserts out of your dog's reach.
- Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages should never be given to dogs. Even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic to them.
- Fatty Foods: High-fat foods can lead to pancreatitis in dogs, so it's best to avoid giving your pup overly fatty dishes like turkey skin and gravy.
Ingredients
Remember that the dog Thanksgiving dinner is a special treat for your pup and should be a supplement to their regular dog food. Ensure that you adjust portion sizes to meet your dog's dietary needs and that you consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog's diet or if they have specific dietary restrictions or allergies.
Feel free to use other dog friendly vegetables for this turkey dog dinner.
- Ground turkey - Choose lean ground turkey, which means it has a lower fat content.
- Green beans - fresh or frozen.
- Broccoli - a nutritious vegetable that provides various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber
- Cranberries - are rich in antioxidants and may support urinary tract health.
- Pumpkin - is packed with fiber and can aid in digestion for dogs. It's also a source of vitamins A and C.
- Coconut oil - a safe oil to use for dogs.
How to Make Dog Thanksgiving Dinner
This homemade Dog Thanksgiving Dinner is a wholesome and safe way to include your pup in the holiday festivities. However, always be mindful of any food allergies or sensitivities your dog may have, and consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about their diet.
We cook all the ingredients in one pan but you could cook the meat and vegetables separately then serve together. The cooked vegetables could be blended then added to the cooked ground turkey too.
Cook the ground turkey in the coconut oil.
Finely chop the vegetables.
Add the vegetables and cranberries to the cooked ground turkey.
Mix well and cook.
Storage
If you have leftover portions of the dog Thanksgiving dinner, place them in airtight containers and store them in the refrigerator. Make sure the food has cooled to room temperature before refrigerating it. Use it within 3-4 days.
Freezing
If you want to keep the dog Thanksgiving dinner for a more extended period, consider freezing it. Divide the meal into individual portions or as needed for your dog's servings. Place each portion in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the containers with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen dog food can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Thawing
When you're ready to serve the frozen meal to your dog, transfer the portion from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw slowly. Avoid thawing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth. You can also thaw it using the defrost function on your microwave, but be sure to serve it at a safe temperature, not too hot.
More Thanksgiving Dog Recipes
We have a few recipes for Thanksgiving your dog can enjoy. They've all been tested by my pack and received a 5 wag review.
Dog Thanksgiving Dinner
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ½ cup cranberries
- 1 cup green beans
- 1 cup pumpkin chunks, peeled
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Heat the coconut oil in a large pan or skillet on a medium heat.
- Place the ground turkey in the skillet. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. This will help ensure even cooking.
- Cook the ground turkey for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently. The internal temperature of the turkey should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it's fully cooked and safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.
- Finely chop the broccoli, pumpkin and green bites to bite sized pieces.
- Add the chopped vegetables and cranberries to the turkey. Mix well, cover and cook for 10 minutes until the vegetables are cooked.
- Allow the dinner to cool down to a safe temperature before serving it to your furry friend.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
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