The holidays are coming, and it’s natural for dog lovers to want to include their canine companions in the festivities. But as hard as it can be to resist those puppy-dog eyes when they’re gazing longingly at the turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes on the table, those tasty treats may not be the best for a dog’s health.
Dogs can eat plain turkey and other popular Thanksgiving foods, but in moderation and usually not in the same form as humans enjoy. Read on to learn what pups can eat over the holidays, and how they should eat it to stay happy and healthy.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
According to some scientists, sharing lean meat has been part of the human-dog bond since domestication began. But we don’t eat like our ancestors, and our Thanksgiving turkeys contain add-ons that a dog’s digestive system can’t handle.
Even a “plain” Thanksgiving turkey is covered in butter, oil, and seasonings, and filled with stuffing. Fatty foods, including prepared turkey and especially turkey skin, can cause dogs to develop a potentially dangerous condition called pancreatitis.
Just like in humans, a dog’s pancreas produces enzymes that help with digestion. Those enzymes are supposed to stay inactive until they reach the small intestine, but foods with high-fat content can disrupt the normal…
Can Dogs Eat Turkey and Other Thanksgiving Foods?. Retrieved October 2, 2021 from https://embarkvet.com/resources/blog/can-dogs-eat-turkey-and-other-thanksgiving-foods/
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