Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving with Your Cat
Last Updated on November 10, 2023 by Holly Anne Dustin
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us will be gathering with family and friends to enjoy a delicious meal and celebrate all that we are thankful for. While we may be caught up in the festivities, it’s important not to forget about the safety of our furry friends, especially our cats. Thanksgiving can be a dangerous time for cats, with many potential hazards lurking around the house. By following these tips you can have a safe Thanksgiving with your cat.
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How to Cook a Safe Thanksgiving Dinner for Your Cat
The highlight of every Thanksgiving, of course, is the dinner. But if you choose to celebrate the day with your felines can you cook a safe Thanksgiving dinner for your cat?
Keeping in mind that certain of your favorite foods are toxic for cats and others are just not that healthy for Kitty, it is definitely possible to prepare a feast you will both love. Be aware of the foods that are harmful to them. Some of the most dangerous foods for cats include chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and alcohol. These foods can cause a range of health issues, from vomiting and diarrhea to kidney failure and even death.
Keep the total package of fat, dairy and sugars in mind when planning a Thanksgiving dinner for your cat. Felines aren’t as susceptible to bloat or fat-induced pancreatitis as their canine counterparts. But you don’t want a special event to end up giving Kitty a bellyache or leaving you a mess in the litter box to deal with.
Is Turkey Safe for Cats?
Turkey is often a favorite of cats. It is not only safe but a healthy treat. With a few modifications, you can prepare a delicious Thanksgiving dinner you can both enjoy. Skip the brine, extra salt is not good for Kitty. Anything in the onion family is a no-go too. Most herbs are fine for Kitty but you don’t want to overload their diet with sage, thyme, and rosemary.
That doesn’t mean you have to eat a plain, turkey though. Taking the skin off the bird before giving Kitty his share should keep both of you happy. She’ll enjoy the organs too.
Serving goose or duck? Both are also safe for cats as long as they aren’t dressed or stuffed, without excess fat, onions or garlic, or highly seasoned.
How to Cook Giblets for Cats
You can roast the giblets with your bird, simmer them, or let her try them raw. Debone the neck if you cook the giblets. Cooked turkey bones are dangerous for your kitty
What About Sides?
Cats are obligate carnivores and don’t need a lot of fruits and vegetables in their diet. But a bit of mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and squash are all fine for Kitty to eat in small bits as long as you put aside his share before you add any onions or garlic or all the butter and cream.
Cranberries are safe for Kitty if they aren’t cooked with artificial sweeteners or a lot of sugar. Don’t offer grapes or raisins though, they are toxic to your furbaby.
Plain cooked peas, carrots, green beans, and broccoli are okay too if Kitty likes them. But skip candied glazed carrots or green bean casserole. Kitty doesn’t need the extra sugar or salt.
Gravy
Kitty doesn’t need the extra fat or most of the seasoning in your gravy but he won’t mind going without it. You can provide him a tasty substitute with something like Tiki Cat Broths or a tasty food topper like Friskies L’il Soups.
Dessert
Cats are generally lactose intolerant. If your cat can tolerate it, you can share a tiny amount of your whipped cream or vanilla ice cream but skip the pie and chocolate. Non-alcoholic eggnog is safe for cats that don’t get digestive distress from dairy products too.
Or you can make Kitty a special seasonal drink. Blend plain pumpkin puree and non-fat yogurt in a 1:1 ratio. Let Kitty have a serving and freeze the rest for Christmas.
Be sure you secure the area before you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner with your cat. That turkey carcass is certainly tempting to Kitty but any cooked bones are a definite no.
Throw out the string, plastic, and foil used to cook the meal and put the trash can where even your most determined cat can’t get to it.
Thanksgiving Products for Cats
If you prefer to stick with cat food for your furbabies, there are several products to choose from. See if the food you normally feed comes in a turkey flavor or perhaps pick one of these that we’ve reviewed.
- Merrick makes a Thanksgiving Day version of their Purrfect Bistro line.
- Tiny Tiger makes a turkey and giblets canned option.
- Solid Gold makes a very fancy three layer dinner that has a turkey option.
There are other concerns besides food safety when it comes to having a safe Thanksgiving with cats. In addition to avoiding harmful foods, it’s important to provide your cat with a safe and comfortable environment during Thanksgiving celebrations. This may mean setting up a quiet space for your cat away from the hustle and bustle of the festivities. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on your cat to ensure they don’t accidentally ingest any harmful substances or get into any dangerous situations.
Related Post: Help Your Cat Cope with Holiday Stress
Training Your Guests
It’s important to educate your guests on how to interact with your cat during Thanksgiving. Make sure they know not to feed your cat any table scraps, as many human foods can be toxic to cats. Also, remind them not to chase or pick up your cat if they’re not comfortable with it.
Creating a Safe Space
If Kitty is overwhelmed by the noise and commotion of the holiday, give him a safe space to retreat to during the festivities. Set up a quiet room with a comfortable bed, food, water, and litter box. Make sure your guests know not to disturb your cat when they’re in this space.
Providing some toys or treats to keep your cat occupied during the festivities. This will help prevent boredom and reduce stress. Lean into the Thanksgiving theme with these catnip toys.
Decoration Danger
Thanksgiving decorations can also pose a risk to cats. Here are some potential hazards to watch out for:
- Candles, which can be knocked over and cause burns or fires
- Wax warmers, potpourri, and essential oils that give our homes the lovely scents of the holiday seasons.
- Tablecloths, which can be pulled down and cause injury or entanglement
- Plants, such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe, which can be toxic to cats if ingested
Keep it Safe with your Flowers:
Discourage your guests from bringing flowers to your Thanksgiving gathering. Several popular cut flowers are toxic to cats. Lilies are the worst; even a few grains of pollen can require an urgent trip to the vet.
Mums are very popular this time of year but are poisonous to cats. Likewise, you want to avoid roses. Check this resource out for a more detailed lists of poisonous plants.
Related Post: Read more Holiday Safety Tips here
Potpourri, Oils, and Wax Warmers:
Is potpourri safe for cats? Be very careful with potpourri around you cats. Potpourri can contain herbs and flowers that are toxic to cats or can injure Kitty’s mouth if he ties to eat them. Liquid potpourri can contain detergents and chemicals or essential oils. They can cause chemical burns or irritations.
What about essential oils? Essential oils are a controversial subject when it comes to cats. Some therapeutic oils might be okay, but generally they are problematic for cats, even in a diffuser. There are some oils that are toxic and should be avoided.
Are wax warmers safe for cats? Wax warmers generally heat at a low enough temperature that Kitty won’t be burned. But getting wax on his paws or in his fur won’t be fun for either of you when it comes to clean up.
Call the poison control hotline or your vet for instructions if Kitty swallows any of the wax or oils. The colors and scent additives could be irritating or toxic.
Candles and Fires
More dangerous still are candles or decorative oil lamps. The flickering flame delights a curious kitten and even the most seasoned older feline doesn’t know to keep his tail away from the flame. Consider flameless candles instead.
Remember, your cat’s safety and well-being should always come first. By taking these simple steps, you can help ensure a safe and happy Thanksgiving for your feline friend.
Safe Thanksgiving with Your Cat
Including your feline friends in your Thanksgiving celebrations doesn’t mean it has to be boring. You can cook a safe Thanksgiving dinner for your cat and enjoy the day together whether that means cuddling up together for football on TV or having family and friends over for a big gathering of food and fun while you trim your Christmas tree.
