Last updated: June 19, 2026 · 7-minute read
What Are the Best Thanksgiving Dog Treats? The Short Answer
The best Thanksgiving dog treats are single-ingredient, fully digestible chews paired with small amounts of plain, dog-safe holiday foods like cooked turkey, pumpkin, and sweet potato. For a chew your dog can work on while you cook, reach for treats that are 100% real meat, contain no rawhide, and are ethically sourced from grass-fed American and Argentinean farms. Keep portions small, skip the onions, garlic, gravy, and cooked bones, and your dog can enjoy the feast safely.
Key takeaways
- Single-ingredient chews are the safest holiday treat — no seasonings, no mystery additives, and fully digestible.
- Plain turkey, pumpkin, and sweet potato are dog-safe in small amounts when cooked without butter, salt, or spices.
- Onions, garlic, gravy, stuffing, grapes, chocolate, and cooked bones are off-limits — they range from upsetting to toxic.
- Treats should stay under 10% of daily calories, even on a holiday.
- A long-lasting chew keeps an excited dog busy and away from the table during dinner.
What Thanksgiving Foods Are Safe for Dogs?
Several Thanksgiving staples are perfectly fine for dogs when served plain and in moderation. Skinless, boneless cooked turkey breast is a lean protein most dogs love. Plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling) supports digestion. Cooked sweet potato and plain green beans are nutritious, low-risk options. The rule of thumb: if it's cooked without butter, salt, onion, garlic, or spices, it's usually safe in small portions.
For a no-prep option that's safe by design, single-ingredient chews from our natural dog treats and chews collection let your dog celebrate without any guesswork about ingredients.
What Thanksgiving Foods Should Dogs Never Eat?
Some holiday favorites are genuinely dangerous. Onions and garlic (including the powdered forms in most stuffing and gravy) damage red blood cells. Cooked turkey bones splinter and can cause choking or internal injury. Rich, fatty foods like gravy, buttered sides, and turkey skin can trigger pancreatitis. Grapes, raisins, chocolate, and anything sweetened with xylitol are toxic. When in doubt, leave it off your dog's plate.
Which Thanksgiving Dog Treats Are Best for Each Dog?
The right treat depends on your dog's size and chewing style. Use this serving guide to match a chew to your dog.
| Dog size / chewer | Recommended chew | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Small dogs & light chewers | 6-inch standard bully sticks | Easy-to-handle size, single-ingredient, fully digestible. |
| Medium dogs | Regular beef tendons or cow ears | Satisfying chew, lean, and gentle on the stomach. |
| Large dogs & power chewers | 12-inch monster bully sticks or beef cheek rolls | Long-lasting, keeps strong jaws busy through dinner. |
| Sensitive stomachs | Beef trachea tubes or 10-inch tripe twist sticks | Natural source of nutrients, easy to digest. |
How Do You Make Homemade Thanksgiving Dog Treats?
If you want to bake something special, these turkey and sweet potato bites use only dog-safe ingredients. They take about 30 minutes and store well for the holiday weekend.
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked, skinless turkey (no bones), 1 cup mashed sweet potato, 1 egg, and 1.5 cups oat flour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Finely chop or shred the cooked turkey and combine it with the mashed sweet potato.
- Mix in the egg and oat flour until a firm dough forms, adding a little water if it's dry.
- Roll the dough out and cut into small, bite-sized pieces or shapes.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until firm, cool completely, and store in an airtight container.
Serve one or two as a holiday treat, and pair with a long-lasting chew from our bully sticks collection for dogs who want to keep going after dessert.
How Many Treats Can a Dog Have on Thanksgiving?
Treats — homemade or chews — should stay under 10% of your dog's daily calories, even on a holiday. For most dogs that means a couple of small bites plus one chew, not a full plate. Overdoing rich foods is the most common cause of holiday stomach upset, so smaller and simpler always wins. Single-ingredient chews make portioning easy because there are no hidden fillers or sugars to account for.
Related reading
- The best dog treats for Black Friday and the holiday season
- Easy peanut butter dog treats your dog will love
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
Yes — plain, cooked, skinless turkey with no bones is safe and a good lean protein. Avoid the skin, gravy, and any turkey seasoned with onion, garlic, or salt.
Is pumpkin good for dogs?
Plain canned pumpkin (not sweetened pie filling) is excellent for dogs and supports healthy digestion. A spoonful mixed into food is plenty for most dogs.
Can dogs have sweet potato?
Yes. Cooked, plain sweet potato is nutritious and a favorite in homemade dog treats. Skip the butter, marshmallows, and brown sugar found in holiday casseroles.
Why are single-ingredient chews better for the holidays?
Because there's nothing hidden in them. A single-ingredient, fully digestible chew with no rawhide means no seasonings, additives, or mystery ingredients to upset your dog's stomach during an already indulgent day.
Are bully sticks safe to give during Thanksgiving dinner?
Yes, and they're ideal for keeping an excited dog occupied and away from the table. Choose a size appropriate for your dog and always supervise chewing.
What Thanksgiving foods are toxic to dogs?
Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, chocolate, xylitol-sweetened foods, and cooked bones are the main dangers. Rich, fatty foods like gravy and turkey skin can also cause pancreatitis.
Can puppies have Thanksgiving treats?
Puppies can have very small amounts of plain turkey or pumpkin, and age-appropriate chews. Introduce anything new slowly and check with your vet if you're unsure.
How should I store homemade dog treats?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage. Let them cool completely before storing.
Preston Smith is the co-founder of Bully Sticks Central. He started BSC because he couldn't find single-ingredient, fully digestible chews he trusted to give his own dogs — no rawhide, no chemicals, no mystery ingredients. He writes about dog nutrition, safe chews, and the practical side of feeding dogs well. Read more about Preston →
This post was last updated at June 23, 2026 23:59
