With a big Thanksgiving celebration coming up, be sure to be aware of what your cat can eat (or cannot eat) off your Thanksgiving dinner.
Whether it's dogs, cats, or even pigs, we treat our pets like our kids. And just like sharing with your kids, you no doubt have offered a bit of human food to your fur-kid every now and then. (I'm looking at you, cat lovers!)
Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is right around the corner, we're here to remind you what Thanksgiving foods you can share with your furry feline friend so that you can make sure everyone at the dining table will be happy.
Turkey?
Of course, no Thanksgiving feast is complete without turkey. And good news! A bit of plain turkey is purrr-fectly fine for your cat to eat; They are carnivores after all. A small amount of lean turkey can be a great source of protein for your cat. Just hold the gravy, as gravy contains a large amount of salt and fat that's not good for your cat. But feel free to give a little turkey to your cat to gobble up.
Green Beans/Green Bean Casserole?
While the green beans part of this popular Thanksgiving side is okay for your feline friend, the mushroom soup and onions are a definite no-no. If you want to share this veggie side with your cat, be sure to only feed plain, free-of-mushrooms-and-onions green beans.
Mashed Potatoes?
If you read our 'Safest Way to Serve Potatoes to Dogs' article, the rules for cats are pretty much the same — While plain, cooked potatoes are fine for your feline friend, you should avoid mashed potatoes, as they usually contain lots of butter, cream, and other ingredients that are unsafe for your cat.
Cranberry Sauce?
This popular turkey day addition is actually ok for your cat, as long as it's fed in moderation. Just be sure to avoid canned cranberry sauces that are loaded with things like artificial sweeteners, but other than that, a lick here and there won't be toxic for your cat. They might even meow with thanks!
Pumpkin Pie?
It's definitely not Thanksgiving Day without good ole pumpkin pie. And while plain pumpkin is ok for your feline friend (in fact, it's even great and is super beneficial for your cat), it's best to avoid pumpkin pie as the sweet dessert usually contains large amounts of sugar and butter which is a no-no for your feline friend. However, you can try mixing some pumpkin in your kitty's cat food - just make sure it's 100% pure pumpkin.
If we keep these safety tips in mind, we can guarantee a happy Thanksgiving cat this year!
Have you shared Thanksgiving foods with your cat before? Tell us on the Wide Open Pets Facebook page!
This article was originally published on November 12, 2020.
