Thanksgiving is around the corner, and households all over the country are anticipating massive, delicious meals. Anyone who has a pet that is considered a part of their family knows how challenging it can be to feel like your four-legged friend is being left out, but the majority of the foods humans enjoy around the kitchen table are unhealthy and sometimes even fatal for pets to ingest.
This doesn’t automatically condemn furry companions to miss out on all of the festivities, though. There are plenty of options in the realm of pet-friendly treats that people and their pets can enjoy together to offer everyone a taste of Thanksgiving.
A recent TikTok video by Winston the Frenchie and his mom, Misha Culver, is the perfect example. Culver breaks down the recipe and instructions for homemade PUPkin Pie, which Winston — showing off his excitement for the holiday by wearing his best turkey leg headband — seems to find delectable.
To make the crust, Culver combines 1 3/4 cups of oat flour with 3/4 cups of unsweetened applesauce, mixing the two in a bowl until a dough is formed and then baking it for eight minutes at 350 degrees. For the filling, Culver combines one mashed banana with 3/4 cup pumpkin puree and places it inside the dough that has been baked and cooled. For a sweet topping, Culver opts for coconut whipped cream.
While these ingredients are not toxic to dogs, they should be given in moderation like anything else that isn't dog food.
According to experts at the American Veterinary Medical Association, turkey and turkey skin can cause life-threatening pancreatitis in dogs, even if only fed a small serving. Ingredients high in fat are difficult for animals to digest, so dishes like mashed potatoes made with butter and milk, or gravy and stuffing that often include heavy seasonings, should be avoided. Additionally, healthy human foods like onions, raisins and grapes can be poisonous.
Pets also shouldn’t eat regular pie or other desserts. Chocolate is not guaranteed to be life-threatening, but it can certainly be harmful to pets. The artificial sweetener xylitol, which is commonly used in sugar-free baked goods, also can be deadly if swallowed by dogs or cats. Yeast dough can cause gastrointestinal issues in pets including painful gas and bloating, which could present dangerous health risks.
