Thanksgiving treats OK for dogs

If you’re like me, you have a guilt complex about not letting your dog try your dinner. C’mon those eyes and the desperate tail wag when you start adding delicious smells to the kitchen air?

When it comes to Thanksgiving, everyone is gluttonous, so who are we to say the canines can’t partake? Plus, it’s a holiday of giving thanks, and I’m pretty sure it’s safe to assume that any one of you are more thankful for your dog than most of the humans sitting at your table.

While not everything should go into your dog’s belly, here are five Thanksgiving dishes your dog can gobble up:

1. Turkey – The main attraction of Thanksgiving is 100% acceptable for doggies. Turkey is a great source of lean protein, but be sure to take out all bones and try not to feed them the skin or excess fat – same reasons we aren’t “supposed” to eat it (fat chance of avoiding that butter-filled skin)!
2. Green beans – Low in calories and high in fiber, green beans have been recommended by vets as a weight loss method for overweight pups. So, no guilt here!
3. Sweet potatoes – High levels of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, beta-carotene, manganese, and of course, fiber not only make sweet potatoes a super food for humans, but for doggies too.
4. Apples – Making an oh-so American apple pie for Thanksgiving? Don’t feel shamed by tossing your begging canine some slices. Just like for humans, apples are a good source of fiber as well as Vitamins A and C. Plus, they have the added benefit of scrubbing your dog’s teeth, which you can only hope will make their breath better.
5. Pumpkin – If your dog has digestive issues (like mine), pumpkin is a great and less expensive remedy. Again, a food high in fiber, pumpkin can keep the GI tract healthy plus it’s high in beta-carotene and Vitamin A.

Note: Regular potatoes are fine to give dogs too, but the finished product of mashed potatoes is not good for them. I do not recommend it on this list because who isn’t going to give their dogs the wonderful concoction with cream and butter? Sadie’s drooling just thinking about it…