There are lots of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. No. 1 on the list? Your beloved dog! Well, maybe they�??re not No. 1, but they�??re definitely in the top five.

If your dog is part of the family it can be tempting to let them have whatever they want on such a special occasion. However, there are lots of Thanksgiving foods that aren�??t safe for dogs. In fact, vets see a lot of pets around the holidays due to dogs being fed unsafe foods.

Here, we at Dog Training Elite Central Massachusetts in Fitchburg / Leominster break down what Thanksgiving foods are safe to share with your dog, what to avoid, and if you�??re up for it, some special Thanksgiving treats you can whip up just for your furry best friend!

Safe Foods

Please note that these foods, although �??safe�?? for dogs, should be plain. Salt, butter, or other seasonings can be harmful to your dog.

• Turkey

  Try to get turkey close to the bone. Also avoid giving your dog any turkey bones or skin - the fatty skin can be especially harmful. If you have a dog with low kidney function, skip turkey altogether.

• Sweet potatoes

  Before you smother your sweet potatoes in butter or marshmallows, set aside some for your pooch. They�??re a great source of dietary fiber!

• Potatoes

  You get to eat both kinds of potatoes, and so can your dog! Just make sure that like with the sweet potatoes, you set aside baked or boiled potatoes for your dog before you cover them with butter, gravy or anything else.

• Apples

  Apples are full of both vitamins and fiber and make a great Thanksgiving treat. Just make sure to cut out the core entirely, because apple seeds can be toxic for dogs.

• Green beans and peas

  Plain green beans and peas are a wonderful healthy snack for canines. Like everything else on this list, make sure to serve them without butter or other seasonings.

• Pumpkin

  Plain pumpkin is great for a dog's digestive health and for your dog�??s skin and coat. Make sure if you�??re getting pumpkin from a can it�??s plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie mix.

• Carrots

  Carrots are a yummy treat for dogs but they�??re also high in sugar, so avoid them if your dog is diabetic.

Foods to Avoid

These classic Thanksgiving dishes contain unsafe ingredients for dogs, so to make it easy for yourself, avoid giving any of these to your dog.

• Turkey bones, skin or gravy
• Stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Casserole
• Creamed peas
• Alcohol
• Raisins or grapes
• Onions, scallions and garlic
• Ham
• Yeast dough
• Fatty foods
• Spiced foods
• Mushrooms

Thanksgiving Treats

If you really want to go the extra mile to help your dog celebrate the holiday, there are a ton of dog-friendly Thanksgiving recipes you can find online. Here�??s a recipe to get you started, adapted from Gone to the Snow Dogs.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

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Ingredients:

• 16 oz. can of pumpkin (plain)
• 8 oz. plain low-fat yogurt
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour, or a mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
• 3 - 4 Tbsp. water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit
2. Grease muffin tins with oil or cooking spray, set aside
3. Mix oatmeal and flour together in a food processor or powerful blender
4. Add applesauce slowly, continuing to run the processor
5. Add water slowly, using only enough to make a ball (too much will make the dough sticky)
6. Flour or grease a surface to roll out your dough. You may want to grease or flour your rolling pin as well. Alternatively, roll out your dough between two pieces of parchment paper
7. Cut out 8 circles, about 4�?� across. Or, divide dough into 8 small balls before rolling out
8. Press individual circles into the bottom and sides of your greased muffin tin
9. Bake for 8 minutes
10. Let crusts cool, then remove from the muffin tin
11. Fill each crust with about 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of canned pumpkin
12. For extra festiveness, dollop plain yogurt on top of your mini pies
13. Let your dog enjoy their special treat!

If you have guests over for Thanksgiving, make sure they know not to give your dog anything from the table. You can even let them know your dog has his or her own special meal prepared! If your dog does accidentally ingest something they shouldn�??t, seek help right away.

All of us at Dog Training Elite in Fitchburg / Leominster wish you and your four-legged frinds a Happy Thanksgiving!