As someone who loves spending the holidays surrounded by family, friends, and plenty of food, I know Thanksgiving is one of the most joyful (and busiest!) days of the year. The house is filled with delicious smells, the sound of laughter, and the warmth of loved ones gathering together. For many of us, our pets are a central part of that family joy. They’re right there with us, tails wagging in anticipation of a dropped morsel or an extra scratch behind the ears.

But as a professional pet care provider with over 15 years of experience, I also know that this busy holiday can pose hidden dangers for our furry companions. The kitchen becomes a chaotic hub of activity, new people come and go, and tempting—but hazardous—foods are suddenly within reach. Keeping our pets safe requires a little extra awareness and preparation.

That’s why I’m sharing a few of my most trusted Thanksgiving safety tips. My goal is to help you enjoy the holiday with your four-legged friends without any stress, spills, or scares. With a bit of planning, you can make sure Thanksgiving is a day of gratitude for everyone, including the furry members of your family.

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A Few Safety Tips

On Thanksgiving, the kitchen is the heart of the home. But all that cooking activity creates a unique set of risks for our pets. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires on Thanksgiving, and a curious pet can easily get into trouble near a hot stove or oven. The first step to a safe holiday is making your home a secure environment.

I always remind my clients to create a pet-free zone in the kitchen, especially during peak cooking hours. A baby gate can be a simple and effective way to keep your pets (and their wagging tails!) away from the stove and hot surfaces. This prevents them from getting underfoot, where they could be tripped over by someone carrying a heavy, hot dish. It also keeps them from snatching a fallen ingredient or licking a hot pan.

Before the big day, take a moment for a quick safety check. Test your smoke alarms to ensure they’re working properly and know where your fire extinguisher is located. A few minutes of preparation can make all the difference in an emergency. It’s one of the simplest Thanksgiving safety tips, but also one of the most important for protecting your entire family.

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Watch Out for Hot Foods and Hidden Hazards In The Cooking Area

Beyond the risk of a home fire, the kitchen presents other dangers. Burns are a significant hazard for pets on Thanksgiving. Steam billowing from an opened oven, a pot of boiling water on the stove, or even a hot coffee maker left on the counter can cause serious home fire injuries to a curious nose or paw.

Here are a few hazards to keep in mind:

• Hot Surfaces: Ovens, stovetops, and even slow cookers can cause severe burns. Never leave pets unsupervised near these heat sources.
• Open Flames: If you use candles for ambiance, make sure they are well out of your pet’s reach. A wagging tail can easily knock one over and catch fire.
• Electric Cords: Appliances like electric knives, mixers, and coffee makers have cords that pets might be tempted to chew on. This poses a risk of electric shock. Keep cords tidy and out of sight.
• Hot Dishes: When you take food out of the oven, place it in the center of the counter, far from the edge where a pet might be able to reach it. In my home, I always use sturdy oven mitts and make sure hot trays are placed on heat-proof surfaces away from curious pets.

The local fire department often reports that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. By taking a few precautions and keeping a close eye on your pets, you can prevent your holiday from turning into a statistic.

Safe Foods to Share—and What to Skip

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is sharing a delicious meal. It’s natural to want to include our pets in the feast, but many traditional holiday foods can be harmful to them. Knowing what’s safe to share and what to avoid is crucial for their well-being. I always tell pet parents a simple rule: if you wouldn’t feed it to a toddler, don’t feed it to your pet!

To ensure food safety for everyone, use a food thermometer to check that your turkey is cooked to the proper temperature. Using separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables can prevent cross-contamination. And once the meal is over, store leftovers properly and promptly to avoid food poisoning.

Here are a few safety tips on what you can and can’t share from your Thanksgiving plate:

✅ Okay to Share (in Small Amounts):

• Cooked Turkey: A few small, boneless, and well-cooked pieces of turkey are fine for most pets. Just be sure to remove the fatty skin and any seasonings.
• Plain Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber and vitamins. Serve them mashed or baked, but without any added sugar, butter, or marshmallows.
• Green Beans: Plain, steamed, or boiled green beans are a healthy and crunchy treat for dogs and even some cats.
• Carrots: Raw or cooked carrots are another excellent, low-calorie snack.
• Pumpkin: A small spoonful of plain, canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!) can be great for your pet’s digestion.

❌ Foods to Skip:

• Turkey Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or serious internal damage. Never give them to your pet.
• Stuffing: Stuffing often contains onions, garlic, and other seasonings that are toxic to pets.
• Gravy: Gravy is typically high in fat and salt, which can lead to digestive upset or even pancreatitis.
• Onions, Garlic, and Chives: These ingredients, common in many Thanksgiving dishes, are toxic to dogs and cats and can damage their red blood cells.
• Grapes and Raisins: These are highly toxic and can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Chocolate and Xylitol: Chocolate is a well-known toxin for pets. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in many baked goods, is also extremely dangerous.
• Alcohol: Even a small amount of alcohol can be harmful to pets, causing intoxication, breathing problems, and other serious issues.

Creating a Calm, Safe Space for Your Pet

With guests coming and going, Thanksgiving can be overwhelming for our pets. The constant doorbell ringing, unfamiliar faces, and loud noises can cause stress and anxiety. Creating a calm, safe retreat for your pet can help them feel secure and comfortable during the festivities.

Set up a quiet room or a designated corner away from the main activity. Make sure the floor is clear of guests’ bags, coats, and any stray electrical cords. Place your pet’s bed, favorite toys, a bowl of fresh water, and maybe a long-lasting chew toy in this space. This gives them a familiar and relaxing place to escape to when they need a break. Keeping the door partially closed or playing soft music can also help muffle the noise.

If you know your pet gets particularly anxious around new people, it might be best to keep them in their safe space for the majority of the event. And if you’re traveling for the holidays, our overnight and drop-in services can ensure your pet stays safe and happy in the comfort of their own home.

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Emergency Prep and Pet Safety Essentials

Even with the best preparation, accidents can happen. Being ready for an emergency is a key part of responsible pet ownership. Before the holiday rush begins, take a few moments to prepare.

• Know Your Numbers: Keep the phone numbers for your veterinarian, the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) in an easily accessible place.
• Locate Safety Equipment: Make sure you know where your fire extinguisher is and that everyone in the household knows how to use it.
• Secure Hazards: Use child-proof latches on cabinets to keep pets out of cleaning supplies and trash cans, where they might find tempting but dangerous food scraps. Make sure your trash has a secure lid.
• Keep Kids and Pets Separate: Remind any children visiting that they should not feed the pets from the table and should stay away from the primary cooking zone for their own safety.

Over my years in pet care, I’ve learned that being prepared is the best way to keep both pets and people safe. A little planning goes a long way toward ensuring a peaceful and enjoyable holiday for everyone.

Thanksgiving Safety FAQs

To give you a quick reference, here are answers to some common questions about Thanksgiving safety.

What are the top safety tips for Thanksgiving?

The top five safety rules are: keep pets out of the kitchen during cooking, never leave food unattended, avoid sharing toxic foods, secure your trash can, and create a safe, quiet space for your pet away from the commotion.

What are 10 basic safety rules for the holiday?

1. Test your smoke alarms.
2. Keep a fire extinguisher accessible.
3. Never leave cooking unattended.
4. Keep pets away from the stove and hot surfaces.
5. Don’t feed pets turkey bones, stuffing, or gravy.
6. Avoid onions, garlic, grapes, and chocolate.
7. Keep electrical cords out of reach.
8. Ensure your trash can is securely lidded.
9. Provide a safe space for your pet to retreat.
10. Keep emergency contact numbers handy.

What is the biggest safety hazard on Thanksgiving?

For the home, the biggest hazard is unattended cooking, which is the leading cause of house fires. For pets, the greatest danger comes from eating unsafe human foods, which can cause everything from digestive upset to life-threatening toxicity.

What are the 7 most important food safety rules?

1. Clean: Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils often.
2. Separate: Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce to avoid cross-contamination.
3. Cook: Use a food thermometer to ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature.
4. Chill: Refrigerate perishable foods promptly.
5. Store: Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge.
6. Check Temps: Don’t let food sit out at room temperature for more than two hours.
7. Avoid Unsafe Foods: Know which foods are toxic to pets and keep them out of reach.

Grateful Hearts, Safe Homes, Happy Pets

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude—and nothing makes me more thankful than seeing pets safe, loved, and included as part of the celebration. By taking these simple precautions, you can ensure the holiday is filled with joy for every member of your family, two-legged and four-legged alike.

From my family to yours, I wish you a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!

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Helpful Resources for Thanksgiving Pet Safety

Here are seven helpful links and resources to guide you on what foods to give and avoid for your pets this Thanksgiving:

1. ASPCA – Thanksgiving Safety Tips
   Learn how to keep your pets safe during the Thanksgiving season with these tips from the ASPCA.
2. AKC – Foods to Avoid for Dogs During Thanksgiving
   The American Kennel Club provides a detailed list of Thanksgiving foods that can be harmful to dogs.
3. Pets Best – Thanksgiving Food Dos and Don’ts for Pets
   A quick guide on what’s safe and unsafe for your furry friends during Thanksgiving celebrations.
4. Animal Humane Society – Thanksgiving and Holiday Safety Tips
   The Humane Society provides a helpful resource to ensure your pets stay safe and healthy throughout the holidays.
5. Pet Poison Helpline – Thanksgiving Dangers
   Understand the risks certain Thanksgiving foods pose to pets and what to do in case of emergencies.
6. Rover – Thanksgiving Foods Dogs Can and Cannot Eat
   Rover breaks down a clear list of foods that are okay for dogs to eat and those to avoid.
7. Preventive Vet – Holiday Foods That Are Safe or Dangerous for Pets
   A comprehensive overview of holiday food safety for pets, featuring Thanksgiving-specific examples.

These resources will help ensure Thanksgiving is enjoyable and safe for everyone, including your beloved pets!