Keep your pets safe this Thanksgiving by sticking to your pet’s normal diet, keeping turkey bones, onions, grapes, and fatty gravy out of reach, locking away trash, and giving nervous pets a quiet room. Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, so start preparing a few days ahead.
Thanksgiving brings family, festive meals, and a busy home, but these celebrations can also expose pets to unfamiliar foods, household hazards, and stressful situations. Dogs and cats may be tempted by food left on the table, explore open trash cans, or feel overwhelmed by visiting guests. A little preparation helps you avoid these risks while letting your pets enjoy the holiday alongside the family.
What Is Thanksgiving Day? Meaning, History & Facts
Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday in the United States dedicated to family, food, and being grateful. In 2026, it will be held on Thursday, November 26, annually on the fourth Thursday of November.
Family and friends get together to share a big meal, usually of turkey, stuffing, and pie. Pets are a part of the celebration for many, so it is important to make sure they are safe too.
Thanksgiving History in Brief
The holiday began in the 1600s in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with a harvest celebration held jointly by the English colonists and the local Wampanoag tribe.
On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation setting aside a national day of Thanksgiving, to be observed on the last Thursday of November. In 1941, Congress passed a law fixing the holiday on the fourth Thursday of November.
Quick Thanksgiving Facts
- Date : The fourth Thursday of November, which is November 26 in 2026.
- 1863 : Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving.
- 1941 : Congress officially established the date of the holiday.
- Presidential turkey pardon : A presidential tradition that began in 1989 with President George H.W. Bush.
What Are the Top Thanksgiving Safety Tips for Pets?
There are five tips, each addressing the most common hazards pets face during the holiday.
1) Share Food Safely
Try not to change your pet's diet suddenly on the day of the holiday. Pets may still be tempted by the turkey and other meats typical of holiday meals. A tiny bit of plain, cooked, boneless, skinless turkey in small portions is generally safe for most healthy pets. Make sure it is fully cooked and free of skin, seasoning, and gravy.
Raw or undercooked turkey may contain Salmonella bacteria, and poultry bones can be a major choking hazard.
Kwik Tip : If your pet has a medical condition, a history of pancreatitis, or a special diet, check with your veterinarian before offering any holiday food.
Product Recommendation : Native Pet Organic Turkey Bone Broth Powder Grain-Free Dog Food Topper is a top pick because it gives your dog a turkey-flavored holiday meal topper without handing over table scraps, and as a powder, it has no bones to splinter.
Native Pet Organic Turkey Bone Broth Powder Grain-Free Dog Food Topper, 12-oz
2) Know the Toxic Foods
Several classic Thanksgiving ingredients are dangerous for dogs and cats. The table below sorts common dishes into safe and avoid, based on guidance from the ASPCA and AVMA.
When in doubt, skip it, because one bite of onion-heavy stuffing or a raisin-filled dessert can cause real harm.
| Food | Safe for Pets? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain cooked turkey (boneless, skinless) | Yes, small bites | Lean protein; no choking risk without bones. |
| Plain cooked pumpkin | Yes | Gentle on digestion; no sugar or spices. |
| Plain sweet potato | Yes | Fiber-rich without butter or marshmallow. |
| Plain green beans | Yes | Low-calorie crunch; skip casserole versions. |
| Turkey bones | No | Splinter and cause choking or internal injury. |
| Turkey skin and gravy | No | High fat and salt can trigger pancreatitis. |
| Onions, garlic, chives | No | Can damage red blood cells. |
| Grapes and raisins | No | Linked to kidney failure in dogs. |
| Chocolate, xylitol, alcohol | No | Toxic even in small amounts. |
| Raw yeast dough | No | Expands in the stomach and produces alcohol. |
Watch for these warning signs after any food mishap :
- Vomiting or repeated retching
- Diarrhea
- Drooling or lip licking
- Lethargy or weakness
- A swollen or painful belly
To help guests offer a safer treat, keep a dog-friendly option on hand.
Product Recommendation : Natural Balance Pet Foods Rewards Minis Soft & Meaty Dog Treats Chicken are soft, chewy training rewards made with chicken as the sole animal protein, grain-free vegetable fiber, and less than four calories per treat.
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away if your pet eats something risky. The Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 is another option. A consultation fee may apply, and acting early gives your pet the best outcome.
Natural Balance Pet Foods Rewards Minis Soft & Meaty Dog Treats Chicken, 5.3-oz
Kwik Tip : Save the helpline number before guests arrive, because clinics often have limited holiday hours.
3) Secure Trash and Leftovers
The kitchen and trash can are the highest-risk zones on Thanksgiving. Dogs and cats can raid a bin for bones, foil, and string from the roast, and each of those can cause choking or intestinal blockage. Take garbage out right after dinner, use a lidded bin, and close the kitchen door while you cook and clean.
Give your dog a job elsewhere while you work. A stuffed toy in another room keeps your dog busy and out from underfoot.
Product Recommendation : KONG Classic Dog Toy is a top pick because the stuffable rubber design holds KONG Easy Treat, Snacks, or Ziggies and keeps your dog occupied during dinner prep.
KONG Classic Dog Toy, Extra Large
4) Create a Calm Space
Many pets find Thanksgiving gatherings stressful, so a quiet room is the best fix. Set up a space with water, a bed, and a chew before guests arrive, and keep the door closed. Cats often prefer a high shelf or closet, while dogs may settle better with a familiar crate and a long-lasting chew.
Plug in calming aids a few days early. Diffusers and collars can take a few days to reach full effect.
Product Recommendation : Comfort Zone Cat Calming Single Diffuser Refill (1 Diffuser, 1 Refill) is a top pick because the plug-in pheromone diffuser helps calm your cat and promotes positive behavior when your home fills with new voices and foot traffic.
Comfort Zone Cat Calming Single Diffuser Refill, 30 Day Use, 1 Diffuser 1 Refill
5) Guard the Door
Open doors are the top escape risk when guests come and go. Confirm your pet wears an ID tag with a current phone number, and check that your microchip registration is up to date. Assign one person to watch the door, keep cats indoors, and keep dogs leashed or gated during arrivals.
Product Recommendation : PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness is a top pick because the front chest leash attachment lets you steer and guide your dog when the front door opens.
PetSafe Easy Walk Dog Harness Black, Large
What Are the Best Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving With Pets?
The best ways to celebrate with pets focus on activity, enrichment, and pet-safe treats rather than table food. Try these ideas:
- Start the morning with an extra-long walk or a “turkey trot.”
- Stuff a frozen toy with plain pumpkin for a long-lasting treat.
- Serve a mini pet “dinner plate” of plain turkey, sweet potato, and green beans.
- Add a sprinkle of a single-ingredient topper to your pet’s regular meal.
- Take a family photo with your pet, if they enjoy it.
When choosing what to stuff your pet’s toy, remember that plain canned pumpkin is different from pie filling. The latter usually contains added sugars and spices that can make your pet sick. In addition, you should freeze the toy overnight to help extend its playtime since you do not want your dog to be bored during dinner.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a time for pets to have a little fun, but it should not stray too far from their usual routine. To keep your animal companion safe and healthy, do not offer human food as a treat and keep their food bowl and water supply on their regular schedule. Remember to block their access to the kitchen counter and other dangerous areas in your home, and give them an extra “pet room” to explore.
Shop your pet’s holiday supplies at Kwik Pets before November 26 so everything arrives on time.
