5 Easy Homemade Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes for Dogs

Dogs may not be able to read a calendar, but they can smell when something special is brewing. Thanksgiving may be one of the loveliest holidays for your pets, with plenty of people at home to give cuddles and belly rubs. Unfortunately, it can also be one of the riskiest.

Turkey day means lots of food on the table. But not all human food is fit for canine consumption. Every year, the day after Thanksgiving sees plenty of pet dogs at the veterinarian with pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas typically brought on by a greasy meal like table scraps.

Many Thanksgiving meals are healthful and safe for dogs. However, how we prepare them can make them overly rich or even toxic for our furry family members. Examples include salt in the turkey, onions in the gravy, raisins in the stuffing, and other ingredients. For instance, sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of fiber for dogs. Still, when combined with butter and sugar, they can quickly lead to pancreatitis. Similar to turkey necks, raw turkey bones make excellent dog treats. Calcium and phosphorous, two essential nutrients in a dog's daily diet, are provided by raw, edible bones, which also aid in dental cleaning. But once they're cooked, they soften and pose a choking risk. This is why giving your dog their food rather than leftovers from your dinner is frequently more superficial.

What Should Be on Your Dog's Menu on Thanksgiving?

Keeping your dog secure is your responsibility. Because a dog’s digestive processes differ slightly from people, you need to be careful about what you feed them on Thanksgiving. While it can be tempting to break the "no table scraps" rule just this once, it makes sense to stick to dog-friendly fare because dogs can be intolerant to many things you eat during your annual feast.

What Thanksgiving Food Can Dogs Safely Eat?

You can give your dog various meals, including some seasonal produce if they are served plainly.

Safe for Dog Consumption

• Turkey (without the bones or skin)
• Plain potatoes
• Plain sweet potatoes
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Plain pumpkin
• Plain peas
• Bread
• Cheese
• Apples
• Rice
• Corn

Not Safe for Dog Consumption

1. Turkey (skin, stuffing, and bones)
2. Gravy
3. Pumpkin pie
4. Alcohol
5. Grapes or raisins
6. Onions
7. Mashed potatoes
8. Seasoned sweet potatoes 
9. Scallions
10. Candy and gum
11. Chocolate

Prepare a Special Thanksgiving Banquet for Your Dog

Refrain from feeding your dog table scraps. Let them enjoy the holiday with meals especially curated for them, using ingredients safe for dog consumption.

Here are some quick and straightforward Thanksgiving foods that your dog will love.

Holiday Sweet Potato Casserole for Dogs

Your dog also wants a piece of the Thanksgiving pie! This dog-friendly casserole dish uses sweet potatoes for a sweeter, heart-healthy, and holiday-worthy treat.

Ingredients

• ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2 sweet potatoes
• 2 large carrots
• 1 apple
• 1 can of low-sodium drained and rinsed kidney beans (or prepared from dry to avoid excess sodium)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

1. Set oven to 350°F.
2. Spread coconut flakes on a sheet pan coated with parchment paper, and bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
3. The sweet potatoes, carrots, and apples should be washed, peeled, and roughly chopped.
4. Steam the vegetables until tender, then let them cool so they can be handled.
5. Rinse kidney beans for two minutes to eliminate as much sodium as possible, then drain.
6. Add the vegetables and beans to a food processor and pulse a few times to mix.
7. Drizzle in the coconut oil and pulse to combine.
8. Arrange your casserole on a lovely serving platter and top it with toasted coconut. 

Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Cups

For dogs, pumpkin provides many benefits. It's a fantastic source of fiber and antioxidants. Your dog will enjoy an incredibly healthful and festive treat when you add some homemade peanut butter.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups of whole wheat flour
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup of pumpkin puree
• 3 tbsp. of homemade or all-natural peanut butter
• 1/2 cup (100 g) puréed pumpkin
• 16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature

Instructions

1. Set the oven to 350°F.
2. In a big bowl, mix all the ingredients together. This includes pumpkin, peanut butter, eggs, and wheat flour.
3. Mix on low speed when it comes together into a dough.
4. Form little treat circles on a lightly dusted surface or press using your preferred cookie cutter.
5. Place on a cookie sheet, with a minimum of 12" between each treat.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, then cool for at least 10 minutes.
7. Blend the two topping ingredients thoroughly together.
8. Add some silky topping to the top of each cooked delight.

Roasted Turkey Medallions

When the turkey is done baking, slice a few pieces to make these delectable bites. They may be baked quickly and easily, so they will be done when the turkey is served.

Ingredients

• 6 oz. white meat turkey, cooked
• ½ c. chopped carrots
• ½ c. ground quinoa or oatmeal 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place turkey and carrots in a food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Add ground quinoa or oatmeal and blend until mixed.
4. Roll into 1-inch balls (or smaller, if your dog is relatively small) and place them on a non-stick cooking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes.

Sweet Potato Cookies

Give your pooch something sweet without all the sugar. These cookies boost beta-carotene and potassium, making them a nutritious end to the Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients

• 1 large cooked sweet potato
• 1 banana
• ½ c. quinoa flour
• ½ Tbsp. vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the sweet potato and banana in a medium-sized bowl until well blended.
3. Add the vegetable oil, then mix in the quinoa flour.
4. Drop dough by the teaspoon onto a non-stick baking sheet and lightly flatten each cookie.
5. Bake for 30 minutes and let cool before serving.

Pup Pleasers

Did you know that apples are beneficial for dogs? If there's ever a time to give your dog an apple, it's Thanksgiving because you're already in the mood to bake. The best part about these treats is that, when stored properly, they last a long time. So, Thanksgiving for your dog can last more than just a day!  

Ingredients

• 2 peeled, cored, and sliced apples
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup peas
• ½ cup washed, peeled, and shredded carrots
• 1 pound ground turkey

Instructions

1. Place the apple slices and the cinnamon in a saucepan with a cup of water. Bring to a boil, and then cover. Continue to simmer until the apples soften, or around 20 minutes. Remove them from the heat.
2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a food processor, and puree them until they are a creamy texture. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased cupcake pan.
3. Puree the cooled apples. Spoon apples on top of each pile of mixture in the cupcake pan.
4. Bake for 40 minutes at 340°F.

Keep an Eye on Your Dog's Calorie Intake

Much human food has too many calories for your dog to consume. Small amounts can be misleading because mass does not usually correspond to calorie content. Whether it is Thanksgiving or not, pets should not get more than 10% of their daily calories from treats. Talk to a veterinary expert about possible "treats." Doing this can help ensure your cherished dog stays safe throughout the holidays.