There are so many things for us to give thanks for on Thanksgiving.

Family, friends, food.

Dogs, of course, are not just our friends, they’re our family.

And they love food.

Giving out Thanksgiving treats to those puppy dog eyes can be oh so tempting.

Thankfully, there’s plenty of yummy yet healthy fall favorites that will get tails wagging.

Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for your dog

Our mouths are watering just thinking about homemade Thanksgiving feasts.

So imagine your four-legged friend’s nose when those delicious aromas begin wafting through the house.

Roast turkey. Stuffing. Mashed potatoes. Cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie.

Just writing that makes us feel like we need a lie down.

While you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen, it’s only fair you pull out the ‘Thanksgiving meal for dogs’ recipe book.

Pet parents will most likely know what’s best for their hungry hounds

Guests might not.

If you have any over eager feeders sat at the table, tell them to keep sneaky treats to a minimum.

Under no circumstances let anybody give out chocolate. Garlic and onion are also both toxic to dogs, so stuffing needs to stay on the plate.

Keep an eye out for any scraps accidentally falling to the floor, especially if your four-legged friend is a cheeky overeater.

While handing out the odd healthy treat is perfectly fine, you might want to treat your special little pooch to their own Thanksgiving dinner.

Turkey without the skin is an excellent source of lean protein that will definitely have them coming back for seconds. Just make sure you remove all the bones.

Carrots, green beans, and plain peas are all nutrient-filled sides, loaded with vitamins and minerals; and grated apple is a fresh and fruity topping that will bring a sprinkling of flavor

Pumpkin pies are loaded with sugar so they’re off our doggy dessert menu. However, we can’t let them go to bed without a tasty treat on Thanksgiving, can we?

Applaws’ Chicken Breast with Pumpkin Terrine Cup offers just that. Made with the best natural ingredients, it’s a fantastic way to finish off their Thanksgiving dinner.

Healthy Thanksgiving foods your dog can eat

Thanksgiving and overindulging go together like turkey and cranberry sauce.

Here are a few healthy Thanksgiving foods if you want your dog full but fit when the celebrations end.

Food
Turkey No bones, no skin. Served thinly sliced, turkey is a great digestible protein source for dogs that will help them build muscle. Piling the turkey on your plate is fine, but your dog’s bowl only needs small pieces.
Carrots Carrots are such a nutritious add-in for dog food. They’re tasty, low-calorie, and low-fat so the perfect sinless treat. Our Beef with Liver, Peas & Carrot Terrine Cup and our Lamb with Zuccini, Carrot & Chickpeas in Gravy Pouch taste toppers are excellent additions to any mealtime.
Sweet potatoes Mashed potatoes, smothered in gravy, are a Thanksgiving melt in your mouth must. Unfortunately, they’re not the healthiest of foods for our dogs. While you’re in the grocery buying ingredients, pick up a bag of sweet potatoes. Loaded with essential vitamins, they’re a great energy source for dogs, and aid healthy bowel movements. If you’ve got enough on your plate with all the stress holiday season can bring, Applaws’ Beef with Green Beans, Sweet Potato & Red Pepper in Broth Pouch is a no fuss tail-wagging taste sensation. Sweet potato should always be cooked, and never fed raw.
Green beans Dogs love plain green beans. They come boasting vitamins A, C, and K – as well as immune-boosting omega-3 fatty acids – and can be part of a healthy Thanksgiving bowl or even given out as a tasty little snack.
Pumpkin It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a piece of pumpkin pie. While pies are a no for dogs, pumpkin’s a yummy yes. A rich source of fibre, our furry friends find it easy to digest, and it can help with constipation and diarrhea. You can find a healthy dose of it in our Chicken Breast with White Beans, Peas & Pumpkin in Gravy Pouch. Dogs should only eat cooked fleshy parts of the pumpkin. Never feed them the skin.
Plain peas Creamed peas may be a Thanksgiving favorites, but all that cream isn’t great for your best friend’s gut. Fresh, plain peas are a doggy superfood though, boosting energy and strengthening immune systems.