Tips for Dog Owners Sharing a Meal this Thanksgiving

Those big begging eyes can be very alluring, and although a small piece of white-meat turkey can’t hurt, there are some things that simply should be avoided, but that doesn’t mean you can’t share in the holiday delights with your pooch altogether.

According to petmd.com, 56 percent of readers admit to sharing Thanksgiving dinner with their dog.

Here’s a look at 10 tips to be aware when it comes to sharing the your meal with your pet during the holiday.

1. Turkey is ok — White meat turkey, with the skin, bones and any excess fat removed is a great source of lean protein for pets.
2. Avoid onions, garlic, leeks, scallions and another other alliums — Although they’re ok in small doses, large doses can lead to toxic anemia. It’s better just to skip them altogether.
3. Potatoes are awesome, but beware — Potatoes themselves are a great, filling food for pets. However, the butter, sour cream, gravy and other additives are not.
4. No grapes. No raisins — Depsite popular thinking, grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can lead to kidney failure.
5. Cranberry Sauce is good — Don’t overdo it, and watch out for the amount of sugar in it, but a small amount of cranberry sauce will round out your pet’s holiday meal.
6. Artificial sweeteners can kill — Xylitol, a popular artificial sweetener, is very toxic to dogs and can be fatal even in small doses. Simple rule, avoid it at all costs.
7. Mac & Cheese, please — Macaroni and cheese can be delicious to you and your dog, but use common sense and don’t go overboard. Just a small portion is best. Food high in fat can lead to GI issues and even pancreatitis. If your dog isn’t used to eating food such as this, just go with the pasta and skip the cheese.
8. Chocolate is a no-no — Chocolate is off limits and should never be given to your dog. A chemical in chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate the worse it is, but just avoid it, period.
9. Everybody love green beans — Green beans are a healthy snack for your dog, and a great addition to your pet’s diet. Be careful though, if they’re part of a casserole or contain other ingredients that could be harmful to pets.
10. No alcohol — It seems like a common sense thing, but truth is, too many people give their pets alcoholic beverages. It is an absolute no. Even a small amount can be toxic to your pet. Items such as rum cake and other items containing alcohol as an ingredient should be avoided.