Cranberries
Cranberries are great for dogs. Not only are they full of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C, but they're well-known for helping maintain healthy urinary tracts. On Thanksgiving, if you're making cranberry sauce from scratch with fresh fruit, feel free to share. Canned cranberry sauce and jellied cranberry sauce, on the other hand, are full of sugar and should not be given to pets.
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Carrots
Fresh, raw carrots are an ideal snack for dogs. Dogs love their sweet, crisp taste, and carrots also boast lots of vitamins, fiber and potassium. The crunchy root vegetables are even good for your dog's dental health, helping to remove plaque from teeth and keep breath fresh. Drop a few carrots your dog's way before you add any butter or salt.
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Green Beans
Green beans make a healthy "anytime" snack for your dog. These nutritional powerhouses are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. They're also low in calories, so even if your dog is on a diet, you won't have to feel guilty about slipping him some string beans on Thanksgiving. However, if you're planning to use the beans to make a green-bean casserole or some other rich dish full of salt and fat, be sure to share the beans before they become part of a dish.
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Sweet Potatoes
Despite being "sweet," these spuds are actually healthier than regular potatoes because they have a lower glycemic index, which basically means they'll wreak less havoc on your dog's blood sugar (and yours). They're also full of fiber, vitamins and carotenoids. If you want to share sweet potatoes with your dog, set some aside without any salt or butter on them.
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Bread Rolls
Think of bread like treats: safe as long as you share a little, not a lot. Bread is high in calories and has a high glycemic index, so too much can lead to weight gain very easily, especially if butter is involved too. Sharing a roll is fine, just don't toss roll after roll to your begging canine friend at the Thanksgiving table.
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Pumpkin
Pumpkin is good for dogs to eat not only because it's low in calories and bursting with vitamins, beta carotene and fiber, but also because it helps with a dog's digestion. If Fido is suffering from an upset tummy, diarrhea or constipation, a little bit of pumpkin may be just what the veterinarian ordered. If you're using canned pumpkin for your pie, though, it's better not to share it. The processed stuff isn't healthy for dogs like fresh pumpkin is.
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