Time to loosen your belt buckle, cause Thanksgiving is right around the corner! While Thanksgiving dinner is for the whole family, there are “pawlenty” of pitfalls when it comes to fixing your feline friend a plate.
What foods can cats have on Thanksgiving? And which Thanksgiving foods are toxic to cats? Heres a comprehensive look at which Thanksgiving foods are safe for cats and which ones might harm your purring pal.
The tantalizing smells of Thanksgiving dinner fill the house. Your cat, ever curious, winds around your legs begging for a taste. Can cats have a little turkey too? With proper precautions, yes! Lean turkey meat makes a healthy, protein-rich occasional treat for cats. But there are also hazards to avoid. Read on to learn which turkey tidbits are safe to share and how to serve your feline a flavorful yet low-risk Thanksgiving treat.
Can Cats Eat Turkey?
Turkey contains high levels of quality animal protein. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they thrive on protein-heavy meat. The mighty turkey provides protein along with nutrients like niacin, selenium, vitamin B6 and phosphorus. So yes, cats can and should eat meat, making unseasoned turkey a prized snack.
Both dark and white turkey meat offer health benefits. Opt for skinless, boneless cuts like:
-
Turkey breast (high in lean protein)
-
Drumsticks or thighs (also lean if skin is removed)
-
Ground or shredded turkey meat
Follow Serving Size Guidelines
Just like humans, cats can overindulge during holiday feasts. Stick to a serving size of 1-2 ounces of turkey meat once or twice a week at most. Too much can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea or unhealthy weight gain.
Signs your cat ate too much turkey include
- Vomiting or gagging
- Loose stool or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
If these symptoms last over 24 hours, contact your vet. Otherwise, go back to your cat’s normal diet and only offer turkey again occasionally in strict moderation.
Avoid Dangerous Turkey Parts for Cats
While turkey meat is fine, some parts pose hazards for cats and should never be fed:
Skin and Fatty Meats
Turkey skin and dark meat with fat or tendons are too high in saturated fats. This can trigger life-threatening feline pancreatitis. Stick to lean, skinless white breast meat.
Bones
Cooked bones splinter easily and can pierce, choke or block cats’ narrow digestive tracts. NEVER feed cats cooked bones of any kind.
seasoning and gravy
Onion, garlic, chives, butter and other rich holiday flavors harm cats. Veterinarians strictly advise against giving cats seasoned meats or gravy which can cause gastric distress.
Smart Serving Tips
When sharing turkey with your cat, follow these veterinarian-approved tips:
Remove all bones, skin, fat and seasoning
- Slice, dice or shred cooked lean meat into bite-sized pieces.
Mix with your cat’s regular food
- Combining a small amount of turkey into their normal diet prevents overindulgence.
Refrigerate promptly
- Store safely for up to 4 days. Discard any uneaten turkey after that.
Wash hands thoroughly
- Avoid cross-contamination with bacteria from raw meats.
Supervise mealtime
- Ensure your sneaky feline doesn’t run off with more turkey than is safe.
Healthier Treat Alternatives
For picky cats uninterested in turkey, try these healthy, pet-approved alternatives:
- Shredded chicken breast
- Lean ground beef or lamb
- Canned salmon, drained and rinsed
- Hard boiled egg, finely chopped
- Small amounts of plain cooked pumpkin or squash
Along with meats, it’s fine to share small samplings from your own holiday meal as long as dangerous ingredients are avoided. See the comprehensive list below for other people foods cats can and can’t eat during Thanksgiving festivities.
Thanksgiving Safety Guide: What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?
Safe Foods for Cats
- Apples – No seeds, core or stems which contain toxic cyanide
- Bananas – High in potassium and other nutrients
- Plain bread – Only in very small amounts. Avoid dough with yeast or raisins.
- Plain broccoli florets – An excellent source of vitamins for cats
- Plain cooked pumpkin or squash – Rich in vitamin A with fiber. No added sugar or spices!
- Green beans – A great fiber source, as long as they are plain with no added ingredients
Unsafe Foods for Cats
- Alcoholic drinks
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Cooking oil or butter
- Dairy products
- Fatty gravy or meat drippings
- Garlic, onions or chives
- Grapes or raisins
- Milk or cream
- Raw meat or fish
- Salt, herbs or spices
- Sweet desserts
- Tea
- Xylitol (sweetener)
- Yeast dough
So go ahead and carve off a morsel of that succulent Thanksgiving turkey to share with your feline companion. Just be sure to stick to safe ingredients and serving methods to prevent digestive upset. With proper portions, your cat can join in the holiday fun while avoiding tummy troubles. Have a joyful, cat-safe Thanksgiving!
What Thanksgiving foods are safe for cats?
Heres an overview of the Thanksgiving foods that cats can safely eat:
- Turkey
- Ham
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Corn/cornbread
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Okra
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
Lets take a closer look at each food, including how much you can safely feed your cat and the “pawtential” health benefits.
Turkey is safe for cats and a common ingredient in many adult cat foods. Turkey is low in fat and sodium, which can reduce a cats risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Its safe to give your cat some unseasoned turkey meat on Thanksgiving — just be sure to hold the skin and stuffing.
Ham is safe to feed your cat in small amounts, but it shouldnt replace their regular food. Ham contains high amounts of salt and fat, which can contribute to health conditions like obesity and high blood pressure. That said, its safe to give your cat an unseasoned sliver of ham as a special treat on Thanksgiving.
You should avoid anything other than plain gravy, as gray is sometimes seasoned with toxic ingredients like onions and garlic. Gravy is also high in sodium and fat, which can cause your cat to gain weight. A few drops of unseasoned gravy are unlikely to harm your cats health.
Cranberries are safe to feed cats in moderation. Theyre a good source of vitamin C and fiber. Cranberries also have anti-inflammatory properties and are loaded with antioxidants. However, you shouldnt feed your cat much cranberry sauce, as its high in sugar.
Cats can eat unseasoned corn on Thanksgiving, and its a common ingredient in many cat foods. Its considered healthy for cats, as it helps with digestion and has vitamins and minerals like carotenoids, vitamin E, and magnesium. You can also feed your cat cornbread, but only in small quantities, as its high in sugar and fat.
Cooked, unseasoned carrots are safe to feed cats. Carrots provide many of the same health benefits for cats as they do for humans. Theyre high in fiber, which improves digestion. Carrots are also high in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and thiamine. Avoid giving your cat more than a small amount of glazed carrots, as theyre coated in butter and brown sugar, which could upset your cats tummy.
Unseasoned broccoli is safe to feed your cat on Thanksgiving. Its healthy for cats, as its high in fiber, which improves digestion. Plus, it has a high water content, helping your cat stay hydrated. As with any vegetable, you should feed your cat broccoli in moderation.
A Southern favorite, okra is safe to feed your cat at Thanksgiving. In fact, okra is healthy for cats and contains vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins, and folic acid. If youre cooking fried okra, ensure the okra isnt seasoned with anything toxic to cats, like onions or shallots. Its a good idea to remove the breading altogether if youre planning to give a piece to your cat.
Many forms of cooked, unseasoned potatoes are safe for cats, including mashed and roasted potatoes. Again, if youre planning to give your cat a taste of your Turkey Day potatoes, skip the seasoning (especially garlic). Cats cant digest raw potatoes, so ensure theyre fully cooked before feeding.
Just like potatoes, cooked sweet potatoes are safe for cats to eat on Thanksgiving. Sweet potatoes are chock full of fiber, which can help resolve digestive issues and help your cat feel full for longer. If you want to share some sweet potato with your cat, ensure its fully cooked and unseasoned. Avoid giving your cat any sweet potato pie or souffle (well discuss why in the next section).
Is your cat one of the rare Thanksgiving guests who love Brussels sprouts? Good news! Fully cooked, unseasoned Brussels sprouts are safe for cats in moderation. Theyre also high in fiber and vitamin C. Give your cat a small nibble of cooked Brussels sprouts before adding harmful extras like onions, garlic, or cheese.
“Impawtant” safety notes for cats on Thanksgiving
Before we dig in to Thanksgiving foods for cats, here are a few pointers to keep in mind no matter what you plan to feed your feline on Turkey Day:
- Spices and seasonings can cause stomach upset and even poisoning. Avoid feeding your cat seasoned Thanksgiving foods.
- Thanksgiving foods are a decadent treat for cats — they shouldnt replace your cats usual food.
- Feed your cat small amounts of Thanksgiving foods to prevent weight gain and digestive issues.
- Let all your guests know not to feed your cat from the table or give them scraps without asking you first.
- Senior cats or those with dental issues may need their food cut up into small pieces for easier chewing and digestion.
Can Cats Eat Turkey? (2019)
FAQ
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