It’s time to indulge in turkey and all the fixings, but prior to sharing some with your pooch, be sure to know which foods are not safe to slip to fido.

The majority of pet owners look upon their cats and dogs as part of their family. In fact, according to a survey, more than 85% of Americans plan to buy presents for their pooch this festive season. And many people who are traveling for Thanksgiving will take their furry friend with them. But whether you stay at home or go away, there are some holiday treats you should not give to your canine companion.

Thankfully, there are some holiday food items that you can safely offer your four-legged companion while you enjoy your turkey and pie. Experts have weighed in with some tips and guidance for pet owners this Thanksgiving. Before you determine what to give your pup, it is important to remember not to give them too much.

It is important that treats from your table should not exceed 10% of your canine’s daily caloric intake. The remaining 90% should be their usual diet. If you’re not sure of the amount.

It is critically important to be aware of the types of foods that should not be given to pets. Such items should be avoided in order to maintain their health and wellbeing.

The experts at BeChewy have created a helpful infographic that details the specific foods that your four-legged friend should stay away from on Thanksgiving Day.

Pet owners might be taken aback by the presence of turkey on the list, but it is included for a valid purpose.

Although turkey is a common component in pet food, its bones can break into pieces and become stuck in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines of your pet, causing serious issues. Additionally, dark meat and skin with its high fat content can generate stomach upset or even pancreatitis, and should be avoided in most animals.

Your dog should be kept away from garlic, onion and chives, so any stuffing dishes with these ingredients should be kept off their Thanksgiving menu. Additionally, pumpkin pie and sweet potato casserole should also not be given to your dog.

In addition, pets should never be given nutmeg, as it contains a substance called mystricin that can be toxic. Ingesting a small amount can lead to mild stomach upset, but larger doses can cause more serious consequences such as hallucinations, disorientation, raised heart rate, hypertension, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and even seizures. Intoxications from more than five grams of nutmeg have been reported. It is important to remember that nutmeg is frequently an ingredient in Thanksgiving dishes, including those with pumpkin pie spice, so owners should avoid giving anything with pumpkin spice flavoring to their pets.

Pet owners should avoid allowing the consumption of cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes with gravy, even though they are technically not on the unsafe list.

According to an expert, cranberries by themselves are not hazardous to canines, although it’s not wise to give them copious amounts of sugary sauces. On the other hand, ingredients like butter, heavy cream, and turkey drippings, which are often used in mashed potatoes, contain too much fat, salt, and acid for pets. An excellent alternative is to boil a potato with no extra seasonings or butter.

It is very important that you keep your furry friend away from anything that contains xylitol. This artificial sweetener, found in a variety of items, is highly toxic to canines. It could have a few different names, such as wood sugar, birch sugar or birch bark extract. If you are not sure, it is best to give your pup something safe.

Types of Food that are Safe for Pets to Eat

For Thanksgiving, it is best to provide your dog with simple, unprocessed foods.

Serving pets a bit of turkey is something that experts recommends, suggesting that white meat without bones or skin is the ideal choice for canine and feline friends. They will be very appreciative of it.

Green beans and sweet potatoes can both make for nutritious meals. Raw or cooked green beans and boiled or baked sweet potatoes are all viable options; however, it is important to ensure that no additional ingredients, like butter, sugar, oil, or seasonings, have been added.

Making to sure to not serve up the traditional holiday green bean casserole because it can contain hazardous fried onions and fatty canned mushroom soup.

For something a bit more sugary, you can give your pup a bit of cranberries, but not in a glazed or sugared form.

Small amounts of cranberries and dried cranberries are generally safe. However, too many can cause an upset stomach. For this reason, it is important to avoid jellies and sauces that are sweetened with xylitol, as this artificial sweetener is poisonous for pets.

Plain cooked pumpkin, or canned pumpkin without the seeds or rind, can be both enjoyable and beneficial, but avoid pumpkin-based dishes with added ingredients such as butter, sugar and oil as these may not be as healthy. Pumpkin itself is a great source of fiber.

The utmost priority on Thanksgiving should be to show your beloved pet plenty of love and affection. That is most likely what they crave the most – even more than a bite of that turkey you have on your plate.