This is an encore of a post that previously ran just before the Thansgiving holiday last year.
The big Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a time many of us spend with family and friends, and one of the centerpieces of the holiday for most families is the big Thanksgiving dinner.
Your cat may have varying opinions about this.
Ashton: When do they serve the turkey?
Newton: Forget turkey. I want to dive into the whipped cream!
Pierre: Does this mean visitors for dinner? Tell me when they’re gone.
Cats like Pierre are mostly immune to Thanksgiving dinner hazards, but cats like Newton and Ashton will put on their holiday best to be able to share in your Thanksgiving feast. Is it safe to share with them?
A little taste of boneless, well-cooked turkey is safe for your cat, but hold the stuffing! Stuffing usually contains onions, which aren’t safe for cats. Sweet potatoes are safe, but don’t share them if you don’t know what they were prepared with, the essential oils in some herbs and spices can cause gastrointestinal upset. Similarly, pumpkin, which vets recommend for feline constipation, isn’t the same thing as a pumpkin pie full of spices. Consider holding a little pumpkin aside when making your pie if you want to share with your kitty.
The most important thing is moderation. A little taste of your mashed potatoes is all right, but your cat doesn’t need a meal of them. Kitties may love the novelty of interesting food smells at the holidays, but share sparingly and keep up their regular diet to avoid upset stomachs.
References and Further Reading
The Health Benefits Pumpkin Provides our Pets, PetMD
Thanksgiving Safety Tips, ASPCA
Summer says
I’m hoping for some turkey for Thanksgiving! That’s all we cats ever get from whatever dinner my human goes to.
Chuck Huss says
That is good advice. I didn’t know about onions. Anyway, we plan on going to a relative for Thanksgiving. Perhaps I will just bring them back some turkey meat.
Marg says
Great advice. We don’t have a lot around here for Thanksgiving and Mom cooks everything from scratch so she knows what is in things. We don’t eat a lot of people foods except a little grilled chicken or some nice ground hamburger. Great post.
The Island Cats says
I can’t wait for the whipped cream! ~Wally
Madi says
Newton I’ll be there in 2 shakes of a cat’s tail to lick the cream off your face
Hugs madi your bfff
Laila and Minchie says
Ashton, you look like you are passed out from eating too much turkey!
Melissa & Mudpie says
Great reminders, and I love how you all have your own special ways to celebrate the holiday π
Ellen Pilch says
Great tips! I like the idea of setting some pumpkin aside when making the pie. And my cats like the idea of getting some turkey π
The Swiss Cats says
Great advice, and it works for every holiday meal ! Purrs
Kitties Blue says
The photos are so cute and the advice is terrific. Tomorrow we will have Part 2 of our Jackson Galaxy Interview. Hope you’ll join us. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Emma and Buster says
A small piece of turkey is what we get. We don’t normally enjoy human fud that much.
Lola and Lexy says
We’re hoping Mommy brings us home some turkey! We don’t really eat people food, but we will eat turkey!
da tabbies o trout towne says
sorree ashton…but all oh us haz ta agree with pierre & newton thiz time….even dai$y
otherwise…. grate post !! π thanx for sharin
heerz two a beaked salmon kinda week oh end ! β₯β₯β₯
Brian says
Well, ,we never get any of the people food at all. I might ask about a taste of whipped cream though.
Cathy Keisha says
Great advice. I eat turkey but wonβt touch any of the other stuff.