During the holiday season, we eat all kinds of goodies that are delicious. Many pet owners want to share some of these tasty treats with their pets during holiday dinners, but what is okay for humans isn’t always safe for pets. VETMED wants you to know what you can share with your pet this holiday season.

DISCLAIMER: You know your pet best. Never feed your pet something that does not align with a restricted diet outlined by your veterinarian and consider your pet’s size when cutting food into pieces. Pets can choke if a piece of food is too big for their mouths or throats.

Holiday Foods You Can Share with Your Dog or Cat

Some of the best foods that you can share with your pet without feeling guilty include:

Turkey & Chicken: Lean proteins can be good for both cats and dogs. Avoid bones and fatty pieces of meat, and your pet may enjoy small amounts of chicken or turkey with no problem. Poultry contains iron, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus, all of which are important nutrients for your pet.

Sweet Potatoes: As long as your sweet potatoes aren’t covered in butter, marshmallows, or sugar, you can happily share these root veggies with your pet. Sweet potatoes are full of fiber, which is good for your pet’s digestive system. Sweet potatoes are considered an excellent source of Vitamin A, which is delivered in the form of beta-carotene. This gives them their orange color. Phosphorus, niacin, and potassium can also be found in sweet potatoes.

Brussels Sprouts: With so many nutrients, Brussels sprouts are great for pets since they are full of fiber and a variety of vitamins.  If your pet will eat them, they are great treats when served raw or cooked. Brussels sprouts are low in calories and high in nutrients such as Vitamins C and K. They also contain iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Carrots: Raw carrots are a fun, crunchy treat for your dog. Cats can have a hard time chewing through raw carrots, but cooked carrots are a great option for cats. Carrots contain Vitamins A, B6, and K.

Green Beans: Although green bean casserole is not pet-friendly, plain raw or cooked green beans are a healthy snack for dogs and cats. Green beans contain folate, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They are also a good source of Vitamins A, C, and K.

Cranberries: One staple of holiday dinners is cranberries or cranberry sauce. While all canned cranberry jelly and sauce contains too much sugar for pets, cooked and unsweetened cranberries can be a good treat. Cranberries contain Vitamins A, B1, B2, and C.

Pumpkin: Not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling, pumpkin is a healthy food for pets. Any canned pumpkin that you give your pet should be 100 percent pumpkin and contain no added sweeteners or spices. Pumpkin is good for digestion and is a good source of Vitamins E and B, Vitamins A and C, riboflavin, potassium, copper, manganese, thiamin, niacin, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and folate.

These healthy foods are great holiday snacks for your pets when done properly and in moderation.

If you have any questions about whether or not a certain food is safe for your pet, give VETMED a call at 602-697-4694 or email us at vetmedaz@vetmedaz.com. Our staff would be happy to answer your questions to keep your pet safe this holiday season.