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Entry 631Filed under Breeding

Thanksgiving Foods Your Cat Can and Can’t Eat This Holiday

Your cat’s regular food is the safest Thanksgiving meal. A very small piece of plain, lean, boneless turkey or a simple, small vegetable treat may be an option, but keep hazardous ingredients, bones, and rich leftovers away.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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Your cat’s regular food is the safest Thanksgiving meal. If you want to share a small treat, a very small piece of plain, lean, boneless turkey may be acceptable; keep holiday dishes and leftovers away because they can contain hazardous ingredients, bones, excess fat, or seasoning.

Plain green beans, carrots, pumpkin, or simply prepared sweet potato may also be options in small amounts. These are treats, not meal replacements, and a cat-formulated treat is another straightforward choice.

Quick guide: what can go on a cat’s holiday plate?

Food Guidance Important limits
Plain turkey breast A very small piece may be acceptable. Lean, boneless, and unseasoned; avoid skin, fatty trimmings, gravy, and drippings.
Green beans, carrots, or pumpkin Possible small, plain alternatives. Serve without seasoning, sauces, or rich additions.
Sweet potato A small, simply prepared portion may be an option. Avoid rich or seasoned preparations and dessert versions.
Cat-formulated treats or regular cat food A suitable choice for the holiday. Keep treats modest; regular complete cat food should remain the meal.
Stuffing, casseroles, gravy, and seasoned sides Keep away. May contain toxic onion or garlic, as well as rich ingredients or seasoning.
Bones, fatty scraps, and drippings Keep away. Bones can cause obstruction or injury; rich, fatty foods can upset digestion and may predispose cats to pancreatitis.
Chocolate, grapes, raisins, alcohol, xylitol-containing foods, and raw yeast dough Keep away and seek veterinary advice if eaten. These are listed as pet hazards; raw yeast dough can expand and produce alcohol.

Thanksgiving foods to keep away from cats

Stuffing, gravy, casseroles, and seasoned vegetables

These dishes may contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to cats. Check recipes and ingredient labels, and do not assume a dish is safe because visible pieces have been removed. The safest general advice is not to share prepared sides or sauces.

Turkey skin, fatty trimmings, drippings, and greasy leftovers

Keep rich scraps off your cat’s plate. Fatty foods can cause digestive problems and may predispose cats to pancreatitis. A very small piece of plain, lean turkey is different from skin, fatty trimmings, or meat covered in drippings or gravy.

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Turkey and poultry bones

Keep bones away from cats. Poultry bones can cause gastrointestinal obstruction or injury. Secure discarded bones and the carcass in a bin your cat cannot reach.

Desserts, alcohol, and raw yeast dough

Keep chocolate desserts and alcoholic drinks out of reach. Also keep raw yeast dough away: it may expand and produce alcohol. Do not share holiday desserts or drinks with your cat.

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Grapes and raisins

Keep grapes and raisins away from your cat. They are listed among holiday food hazards for pets. If your cat eats them, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital promptly rather than trying to judge a safe amount at home.

Foods containing xylitol

Keep foods containing xylitol away from your cat, including sugar-free products. If your cat eats one, contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital promptly and be ready to identify the product and estimated amount.

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A safer way to include your cat

  1. Feed your cat its usual food and water in a quiet place away from the table.
  2. If you offer a treat, choose a cat-formulated treat or a very small amount of plain, lean, boneless turkey, green beans, carrots, pumpkin, or simply prepared sweet potato.
  3. Keep serving dishes, leftovers, bones, and trash out of reach. Ask guests not to feed your cat, and check recipes for onion and garlic.
  4. During the gathering, keep your cat in a calm separate room if needed so it can eat and rest away from guests and tempting food.

Cats do not need a Thanksgiving plate to enjoy a safe holiday. A familiar meal and a quiet place to eat are usually the better choice.

If your cat eats a hazardous Thanksgiving food

Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital promptly if your cat eats a potentially hazardous food. Be prepared to explain what the cat ate, the estimated amount, and when it happened. Keep the package or ingredient list if there is one. Seek veterinary help promptly if you notice concerning symptoms.

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This article is general education, not a diagnosis or an individualized treatment plan.

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FAQ

Can cats eat Thanksgiving turkey?

A very small piece of plain, lean, boneless turkey may be acceptable. Avoid skin, fatty trimmings, bones, seasoning, and gravy.

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Can cats eat stuffing or gravy?

Keep stuffing and gravy away. They may contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to cats, as well as rich ingredients and seasoning.

Are turkey bones safe for cats?

No. Poultry bones can cause gastrointestinal obstruction or injury, so keep them out of your cat’s reach.

What should I do if my cat eats a hazardous food?

Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital promptly. Be ready to identify the food or product, the estimated amount, and when your cat ate it.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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