How to Feast Without Fear This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is that glorious time of year when the house smells like butter and chaos, everyone’s “just having one more bite,” and your big ass dog is parked in the kitchen like a professional food auditor.
We love the holidays as much as you do, but let’s face it — Thanksgiving can be a minefield for pups. Between dropped scraps, well-meaning relatives, and tempting leftovers, it’s easy for things to go sideways. So, let’s talk turkey (literally) about how to make sure your big dog gets to enjoy the feast without paying for it later.
🍗 Safe Foods for Sharing
Your dog doesn’t need to miss out entirely — there are a few Thanksgiving classics that get the Big Ass Seal of Approval.
✅ Turkey (plain, no skin or bones) – A great lean protein, but skip the gravy train. Keep it simple and unseasoned.
✅ Mashed Potatoes (plain) – No butter, milk, or garlic. If you wouldn’t serve it to your lactose-intolerant cousin, don’t serve it to your dog.
✅ Green Beans & Carrots – Crunchy, safe, and tail-wag approved.
✅ Pumpkin (plain or canned) – Great for digestion and that perfect autumn vibe.
✅ Apple Slices (no seeds) – A sweet, crunchy treat for dessert.
🚫 The Danger Zone
Now for the not-so-fun stuff. These common Thanksgiving foods are delicious for us but bad news for your pup:
❌ Turkey Skin & Drippings: Too fatty and rich — can cause pancreatitis (and a lot of carpet cleaning).
❌ Cooked Bones: Splinter risk = vet visit waiting to happen.
❌ Stuffing, Gravy, & Seasonings: Full of onions, garlic, and salt — all no-gos for dogs.
❌ Desserts: No chocolate, no artificial sweeteners (xylitol is especially dangerous), and no pie crusts.
❌ Alcohol: Should go without saying, but… no sips of wine for your dog. Even if Uncle Joe insists they “deserve it.”
🐶 Make Them Their Own Feast
Want to make your big ass dog feel included without the stress? Create a dog-safe Thanksgiving plate they can proudly chow down on while everyone else eats.
Here’s a simple formula:
A few slices of cooked, plain turkey
A scoop of mashed pumpkin or sweet potato
A sprinkle of green beans or carrots
Maybe a few of Apryll’s Turkey & Pumpkin Pup Pies for dessert (recipe below 👇)
You’ll feel like a rockstar dog parent — and your pup will feel like part of the family, minus the bellyache.
🛑 The “Helpful Relative” Problem
There’s always one. The aunt, uncle, or neighbor who “just gave them a little piece of pie.” You can’t control everyone — but you can plan ahead.
Create a dog-safe treat bowl and label it clearly. That way, anyone who wants to “spoil” the dog can do it responsibly.
Give your pup a place to chill away from the dinner chaos. A Big Ass Bed in a quiet corner is the perfect solution for post-feast snoring.
Set boundaries early. It’s okay to say, “Please don’t feed Rocco — we’ve got special treats just for him.”
🦴 Leftovers: Handle with Care
We all love a good leftover sandwich, but not all leftovers belong in the dog bowl. If you’re storing turkey scraps, remove all bones and skin before refrigerating or freezing. Avoid giving refrigerated fat drippings — they can turn rancid fast.
If you do want to share leftovers later, portion them out ahead of time and label them for your pup. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re not wondering if the container in the fridge is “dog-safe or human gravy.”
❤️ Gratitude Over Gravy
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving isn’t just about food — it’s about family. And for us, that includes our four-legged family members.
Take a walk together before the meal, share a moment on the couch after, and remember: your big ass dog doesn’t care about the turkey as much as they care about you.
So eat, laugh, nap, and be thankful — for full bellies, warm homes, and slobbery kisses that remind us what gratitude really looks like.
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