Thanksgiving dinner is a chance to offer a variety of delicious foods to family and friends. As a dog owner, you may also want your four-legged friend to enjoy the festivities, but to maintain good pet care practices, you need to know about certain items that are off-limits for pooches. This holiday season, avoid giving your canine companion any of the following foods.

Which Thanksgiving Foods Are Harmful to Dogs?

1. Ham

Ham is loaded with salt and preservatives and made with sodium-based nitrites and nitrates. When dogs eat too much salt, it causes diarrhea, vomiting, excessive urinating, and thirst. Canines will accumulate fluid, experience lethargy, and may suffer serious effects, including kidney damage. Ham is also high in fat, which is difficult for dogs to digest. If you want to provide your pooch with tasty protein, offer pieces of skinless, boneless turkey meat cooked without any seasonings.

2. Stuffing or Dressing

Stuffing or dressing is part of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, but if dogs eat it, it can make them sick. This side dish typically contains garlic, onions, or scallions, which are poisonous to canines. They can suffer anemia, which causes damage to the red blood cells and can be life-threatening. As an alternative, offer your pet sweet potatoes cooked without any additional ingredients. This food boosts their fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin B6, and vitamin C intake.

3. Raisins or Grapes

Dishes containing raisins or grapes, such as ambrosia or Waldorf salad, may be traditional favorites but can be fatal for canine family members. While the reason behind the fruit's toxicity has yet to be pinpointed, dogs that eat grapes or raisins can suffer severe kidney failure. Give your pup plain, unseasoned, cooked green beans as a healthy alternative. This option offers fiber, as well as vitamins C, K, and manganese, which are all essential nutrients for good pet care.

If your dog consumes something it shouldn't or shows signs of illness this Thanksgiving season, turn to Animal Hospital of New Albany. Since 1991, this veterinary clinic has been providing pet care to animal owners throughout Franklin County, OH, and the surrounding areas. Their knowledgeable and compassionate team is dedicated to ensuring family pets stay healthy and happy. Whether your pup needs vaccines or dental care, they are happy to help. Visit these animal care professionals online or call (614) 855-9643 to schedule an appointment.