Safe Autumn Treats for Dogs and Cats

Laurie Anne Walden, DVM

Photo by Amy Starr

Dogs and cats can’t have pumpkin spice lattes or Halloween candy, but not all foods that we associate with fall are off the menu for our pets.
 
If you’d like to give treats to your pets, keep these precautions in mind:

• Food ingredients that aren’t safe for dogs and cats include chocolate, xylitol sweetener, raisins, grapes, fatty food (including poultry skin and pie crust), oils, onions, bones, raw meat, raw eggs, and raw yeast dough.
• According to Pet Poison Helpline, small amounts of nutmeg can cause mild stomach upset in animals. Large amounts of nutmeg and cinnamon can cause more serious problems.
• Treats should be only a tiny percentage of a pet’s daily food.
• Keep treat sizes small. Pets can’t measure food and don’t care if their brother got a bigger piece.
• Suggestions for treats don’t apply to pets that have dietary restrictions because of food allergies or another medical problem. If you’re not sure if your pet should have a particular food, ask your veterinarian.

 
Homemade and store-bought pet treats
Many recipes for homemade dog and cat treats are available. Making your own pet treats can be a fun family project and a great outlet for creativity. Kids might be surprised that their dog is so enthusiastic about a baked dog biscuit that tastes like cardboard to them. It’s a good reminder that pets don’t need the sugar, salt, and flavorings that humans prefer.
 
Pet food manufacturers know a marketing opportunity when they see one, so you can also find themed seasonal treats for sale. Store-bought pet treats are fine as long as they don’t contain a problem ingredient (always check labels).
 
Pumpkin
Plain cooked or canned pumpkin is safe, and dogs and cats tend to like it. If you use canned pumpkin, be sure to get plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. The sugar and spices in pie filling can cause problems. Likewise, don’t give a pet a piece of pumpkin pie—and especially not sugar-free pie, which might contain xylitol.
 
White potatoes and sweet potatoes
Most dogs love potatoes of any type. Skip the butter, salt, and toppings, though: no loaded baked potatoes or sweet potato casserole for pets.
 
Other vegetables and fruits
Many vegetables and fruits (not grapes!) are safe, tasty, low-calorie treats for pets. As always, stick with plain, unseasoned items for animals. Avoid casseroles, which might contain problem ingredients like onion and fat. To avoid a choking risk, cut raw vegetables and fruits into small pieces and remove seeds, cores, and thick peels. These are some good options:

• Carrots
• Celery
• Green beans
• Peas
• Squash (winter and summer varieties)
• Apples
• Bananas

 
Turkey
A bite of cooked lean poultry meat is safe for dogs and cats. Avoid giving pets skin, fat, bones, pan drippings, raw meat, or meat seasoned with onion.
 
Popcorn
Is popcorn a fall food? I think it depends on which Thanksgiving cartoons you watch. As with other foods, don’t add butter, salt, or seasonings to popcorn pieces you toss to your pets. Air-popped popcorn doesn’t have added fat, so it’s safer than oil-popped or microwaved popcorn for animals like schnauzers that have an increased risk for pancreatitis.
 
Photo by Amy Starr on Unsplash

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