DIY Thanksgiving Feast for Your Pet: Safe Recipes for a Mini Holiday Meal
November 1, 2024
Thanksgiving is a time for sharing love, gratitude, and of course, delicious food! While we enjoy a holiday meal, why not let our pets join the fun with their own pet-safe Thanksgiving feast? At Pet Care Plus, we know that pets are family, and we’ve put together some safe, tasty, and easy DIY recipes to create a special holiday meal for your furry friends.
Here’s a breakdown of safe ingredients and a few simple recipes to make Thanksgiving extra special for your pets:
1. Turkey Treats
Turkey is a lean protein packed with essential nutrients, making it the perfect base for a pet-friendly feast. Just make sure it's plain, cooked turkey with no seasoning, garlic, or onion, which are harmful to pets.
Ingredients:
- 1 small piece of cooked, unseasoned turkey breast (avoid skin and bones)
Instructions: Shred the turkey into small, manageable pieces and serve it as the main protein. It’s delicious on its own, or you can mix it with other Thanksgiving treats for a full meal.
2. Sweet Potato Mash
Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and contain vitamins A and C, both beneficial for your pet’s immune system and coat. Avoid adding butter, sugar, or spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 small sweet potato
Instructions:
- Peel and boil the sweet potato until it’s soft.
- Mash it with a fork until smooth, adding a little water if needed to reach the right texture.
- Serve a small spoonful as a side dish for your pet’s Thanksgiving meal.
3. Green Bean Crunch
Green beans are low-calorie and packed with fiber and vitamins, making them a great choice for pets.
Ingredients:
- A handful of fresh green beans (washed and ends trimmed)
Instructions:
- Steam or lightly boil the green beans until they’re tender.
- Let them cool before chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
- Serve alongside turkey and sweet potato for a full Thanksgiving spread.
4. Pumpkin Delight
Plain, canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) is an excellent source of fiber for pets and helps with digestion.
Ingredients:
- 1–2 tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin
Instructions: Spoon the canned pumpkin into a small bowl and serve as a tasty side or mix it with their sweet potato mash for extra flavor. It’s a fall favorite that adds a festive twist to their meal!
5. Apple Crisp Bites (Dessert!)
End the meal with a dessert treat that’s safe for pets. Apples are high in vitamins A and C, but remember to remove all seeds and the core.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 apple, peeled and cored
Instructions:
- Dice the apple into small, pet-friendly pieces.
- Serve the apple pieces fresh, or lightly bake for a few minutes to soften them up.
Thanksgiving Feast Assembly Tips
Now that you have the recipes ready, here’s a simple way to assemble your pet’s Thanksgiving meal:
- Start with a portion of shredded turkey as the main dish.
- Add a small scoop of mashed sweet potato and a serving of green beans.
- Top it off with a dollop of pumpkin and a side of apple bites for dessert.
Serve everything on a pet-safe plate or in their usual food bowl, and let them enjoy this holiday treat with you!
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid Seasonings and Fats: Stick to plain, unseasoned foods. Avoid adding salt, butter, oils, or spices.
- Skip the Bones and Skin: Turkey skin and bones can be harmful to pets. Skin is fatty, and bones can splinter and cause injury.
- Portion Control: This is a treat meal, so keep portions small to avoid digestive upset.
- Watch for Allergies: If your pet hasn’t had any of these foods before, start with a small amount to make sure they don’t have an adverse reaction.
Pet Care Plus is also having a fun Thanksgiving treat for all dogs in daycare or boarding! On November 23rd, your pup can have a yummy Thanksgiving treat made with Fromm's Shredded Turkey, Grain-Free Turkey & Pumpkin Pate. Top it off with K9 Granola's Soft Baked Pumpkin Pie Cookies for dessert! Just ask a team member for the Thanksgiving Treat for your dog while checking in! :)
With this pet-safe Thanksgiving feast, you can include your furry friends in the holiday festivities while keeping their health and safety in mind. From all of us at Pet Care Plus, we hope you and your pets have a safe, happy, and delicious Thanksgiving!
As dog parents, especially in a fast-paced city like Chicago, we often focus on the essentials—exercise, feeding, playtime, and potty breaks. But there’s one daily activity that’s just as important and often overlooked: giving your dog time to sniff. At Pet Care Plus, we believe this isn’t just a minor detail—it’s a vital part of your dog’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Your Dog’s Nose Is Their Superpower Dogs experience the world through scent. They have up to 300 million scent receptors in their noses compared to our 5 million. That means their sense of smell is up to 100,000 times more powerful than ours. To a dog, every sidewalk, tree, and patch of grass is like a living storybook full of messages. Sniffing helps them gather information, feel grounded, and understand their environment. Sniffing Is Mental Enrichment While many of us think a walk is just for physical exercise, slow, sniff-filled walks are just as—if not more—important. A 20-minute “sniffari” can leave a dog feeling more mentally fulfilled than a longer, fast-paced walk. When dogs are allowed to explore with their noses, they’re using their brain in a deep and instinctual way. This kind of enrichment is especially beneficial for high-energy dogs, senior pups, and those with anxiety. Sniffing Builds Confidence and Calm Letting your dog stop and smell the world on their own terms can reduce stress and increase confidence. For reactive or nervous dogs, scent work is a gentle and non-threatening way to refocus their attention. It’s calming and empowering—like letting them read the daily news in a language only they understand. How Pet Care Plus Supports Natural Instincts At Pet Care Plus, we incorporate scent-based enrichment into our daycare and boarding routines. From guided sniff walks to puzzle feeders and sensory games, we make sure every dog gets a chance to slow down and enjoy meaningful exploration. These small moments lead to big benefits in your dog’s happiness and behavior. So the next time your dog lingers at a lamp post or takes a detour to investigate a patch of grass, don’t rush them. Give them the time and space to sniff—it’s not just a habit, it’s a need. And when we meet that need, we help our dogs thrive.
Between hectic workdays, summer travel, and crowded city streets, it’s easy for dogs to become under-exercised, bored, or anxious. That’s where Pet Care Plus comes in! Routine doggy daycare offers more than just a break for you—it provides essential physical and emotional support for your dog. Why Daycare is a Game-Changer for City Dogs Consistent Exercise: Our staff ensures your dog gets the movement they need even when it’s too hot outside. Positive Socialization: Regular play with other dogs builds confidence and reduces anxiety. Structured Routine: Dogs thrive on consistency, and regular daycare helps regulate energy and behavior. Reduced Stress for Owners: Know that your dog is in great hands, staying safe, active, and engaged while you're at work or running errands. At Pet Care Plus, we provide a safe, enriching environment for dogs year-round, with special attention to seasonal needs. During the summer months, our indoor play spaces, attentive staff, and hydration protocols help every dog feel comfortable and cared for. If you’re ready to give your pup a fun, safe break from the summer heat, contact us today to learn more about our daycare and overnight boarding options.
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