Fall is magical. The air is crisp, the sweaters are cozy, and suddenly every store is trying to sell you something pumpkin-flavored—even dog treats. But while you’re sipping your pumpkin spice latte and pretending to enjoy Aunt Linda’s raisin-stuffed stuffing, your dog is lurking nearby like a furry little vacuum cleaner, ready to inhale anything that drops from the table.
Here’s the thing: a lot of fall’s favorite foods aren’t just unhealthy for dogs, they’re downright dangerous. Some can cause stomach upsets, others can lead to serious medical emergencies. And because dogs don’t exactly read ingredient labels, it’s up to us to keep them safe.
So let’s walk through the five biggest culprits you’ll see this season, and how to keep your pup’s tail wagging instead of making a frantic trip to the vet.
Table of Contents
1. Pumpkin Spice Everything 🎃☕
Pumpkin itself? ✅ Great.
Pumpkin spice latte? ❌ Nope.
- Nutmeg = toxic.
- Caffeine = jittery zoomies (the bad kind).
- Sugar & whipped cream = tummy trouble.
Your dog doesn’t need a PSL to feel festive. They already think leaf piles are nature’s ball pit.
👉 Safe swap: Plain canned pumpkin (unsweetened, unspiced).
2. Stuffing (a.k.a. The Onion & Garlic Bomb) 🧅🧄
Stuffing is the Trojan horse of Thanksgiving. It looks harmless, smells amazing, and sits innocently on the table. But inside? Danger city.
- Onions + garlic = red blood cell damage.
- Raisins = kidney failure risk.
- Butter, salt, seasonings = stomach upset.
Translation: That steaming bowl of stuffing is basically a toxic grenade for your pup.
👉 Safe swap: A crunchy carrot or green bean. They’ll feel included without needing a blood transfusion.
3. Turkey Bones 🍗
Dogs see bones and think: “Finally, fine dining!”
Reality: “Hello, emergency vet.”
| Turkey Bones Myth | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| “Bones are natural for dogs.” | Cooked bones splinter and puncture intestines. |
| “Chewing bones cleans teeth.” | Splinters = dental disaster. |
| “It’s just one little bone.” | One little bone = one big problem. |
👉 Safe swap: Plain, boneless turkey meat (no skin, no seasoning).
4. Pecan Pie 🥧
Humans: “Sweet, nutty, buttery perfection.”
Dogs: “Sweet, nutty, intestinal apocalypse.”
- Pecans = stomach upset, possible neurological issues.
- Sugar + fat = pancreatitis risk.
- Pie crust = not worth it.
Your dog doesn’t care about Grandma’s award-winning recipe. They just want a bite of whatever you’re eating.
👉 Safe swap: Apple slice (no seeds). Crunchy, safe, and festive.
5. Alcoholic Cider & Holiday Drinks 🍷🍎
Nothing says fall like a warm mug of spiked cider. But for dogs, alcohol is no joke.
- Even a few sips = vomiting, disorientation, seizures.
- Severe cases = coma or worse.
- Dogs don’t “just sleep it off.”
They don’t need “liquid courage.” They already crash the party by begging under the table.
👉 Safe swap: Fresh, cool water. (Bonus points if you serve it in a festive bowl.)
Quick Reference: Fall Food Danger Levels 🚨
| Food | Danger Level | Why It’s Bad |
|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin spice treats | ⚠️ Moderate | Nutmeg, sugar, caffeine |
| Stuffing | 🔴 High | Onions, garlic, raisins |
| Turkey bones | 🔴 High | Splintering, choking |
| Pecan pie | ⚠️ Moderate | Pecans, sugar, fat |
| Alcoholic drinks | 🔴 Severe | Toxic even in small amounts |
General Safety Tips 🛡️
- Offer safe fall snacks:
- Plain pumpkin puree
- Apple slices (no seeds)
- Green beans
- Carrots
- Set party rules:
- Tell guests: “No scraps for the dog.”
- Repeat this 47 times.
- Consider putting up a sign.
- Store leftovers securely:
- Dogs = stealthy ninjas with super-sniffers.
- If they can smell it, they’ll find it.
- Distract your dog:
- Puzzle feeder
- Chew toy
- Or the classic: “Here, chase this squeaky pumpkin instead.”
What to Do if Your Dog Sneaks a Forbidden Snack 🐕💨
Dogs are crafty. If yours manages to snag stuffing, sip cider, or chew a turkey bone:
- Watch for symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Wobbly walking
- The dreaded “I regret everything” face
- Call your vet or poison control immediately.
- Don’t wait.
- Don’t Google it.
- Don’t cross your fingers and hope.
- Stay calm.
- Panic doesn’t help.
- Action does.
Do’s and Don’ts Cheat Sheet 📝
| ✅ Do This | ❌ Don’t Do This |
|---|---|
| Give plain pumpkin, apples, carrots, green beans | Share stuffing, pie, or anything spiced |
| Offer boneless, unseasoned turkey meat | Hand over cooked turkey bones |
| Keep drinks out of reach | Let your dog “taste” cider, wine, or eggnog |
| Distract with chew toys or puzzle feeders | Assume guests will follow the “don’t feed the dog” rule |
| Call the vet if trouble happens | Wait it out and hope for the best |
Final Word
Fall should be about cozy vibes, crunchy leaves, pumpkin patches, and arguing over whether candy corn is edible—not emergency vet visits.
Keep the dangerous foods out of paw’s reach. Share safe snacks instead. And remember: the only thing your dog really wants this fall is your attention (and maybe that squeaky pumpkin toy).
🍂 Happy fall, safe snacking, and may your dog stay out of the stuffing!
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.
