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Can Dogs Eat Stuffing?

↯ Key takeaway points

  • Dogs should not eat stuffing that contains garlic or onion as they are toxic to dogs.
  • Some dog-friendly stuffings can be purchased from pet stores, but always check the ingredients.
  • If your dog ingests stuffing, act quickly and try to remove it from their throat. Consult a veterinarian if necessary.
  • Stuffing made with sage and onion should not be given to dogs in large quantities.
  • The stuffing found inside dog toys, made of polyester fiberfill, can be dangerous if ingested and may cause blockages in the air passage or intestines.
Written by Viena
Viena is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Highly educated researcher and DVM with extensive experience in Clinical VetMedicine, Veterinary Nano Medicine, and Preventive Veterinary Medicine.
Published on
Thursday 1 October 2020
Last updated on
Wednesday 12 July 2023
can dogs eat stuffing
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When you are eating a yummy Thanksgiving dinner you may want to share some with your dog. This can include the stuffing. But can dogs eat stuffing? This can all depend on the ingredients within. Garlic and onion are both toxic to your dog when consumed, so a lot of stuffing cannot be given to your dog. However, there are some dog-friendly stuffings you can buy in pet stores.

Always check the ingredients for dog-safe stuffing as some human mixes may be able to be provided. Although make sure you give your dog some in moderation! We will explain all the elements you need to consider if you’re wondering is stuffing is safe for dogs.

Is Turkey Stuffing Safe for Dogs?

Is stuffing safe for my pet dogs? To answer this question quickly, you must be familiar with the components of the stuffing and how they are made. Ensuring that anything you give to your pet is dog-friendly is an essential job of any owner. So, to learn more about the different stuffings that your dog may encounter, you might want to continue reading.

Aside from toy stuffing, there are other stuffing that you need to avoid feeding to your dogs. On occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving, you will see a lot of food served on the table. However, not all of the food is good for your pets.

The stuffing of the turkey, especially the garlic, shallots, or scallions, are not suitable for dogs in large amounts. However, it is safe for them to ingest it in tiny quantities. Ensure that you will not give them any turkey since the bones can quickly get stuck on their throat or pierce their stomach.

Your kids may also try to feed stuffing to your dogs, so be careful with them. If they ask questions such as “can dogs eat stuffing from the turkey?”. Make sure to tell them the proper answer so that they will not give the dogs this food.

turkey stuffing for dogs
Dogs should not eat too much turkey stuffing because of the ingredients in it.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats Stuffing?

You must know what to do if your dog ingests some stuffing or other things that are not good for them. Here are the things you need to do when that happens.

  • In case you see your dog swallow stuffing, you must act swiftly and stop them
  • If you saw that your dog is chocking from the stuffing, you must try to get the thing out of the dog’s throat
  • While you are trying to remove the stuffing, be calm, and find a way to see your dog’s veterinarian for a consultation
  • In case you are not sure if your dog has eaten it, it’s better to wait for any symptoms to appear
  • If you think your dog ingested something, do not let your pet eat while waiting for the symptom. It’s because the food might get blocked in the airways and might aggravate the problem
  • If you see any symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite, immediately consult your vet

If you told your vet that “my dog ate stuffing in thanksgiving and vomited today,” you can expect that you will be asked you to bring your pet to the clinic. Your vet might even run some tests like an x-ray to check the dog’s condition. They can also try to make the dog vomit to take out what is blocking their throat. If the dog’s health is severe, surgery can also be done to alleviate the pain or problem.

Ingesting stuffing is very common for dogs, but since it can block the dog’s intestine and air passage, it is essential to be aware of what you need to do. You may also notice that your dog’s temperature changes, its pulse either increases or decreases, and it may experience breathing difficulty. If your dog accidentally consumes toxins or medication, ask your doctor immediately.

Dogs Eating Stuffing – FAQ

If you are celebrating, there would be food that you must not give your dog. Advise also children about this and answer them correctly if they ask questions like, “can dogs eat thanksgiving stuffing?

Hence, as a dog owner, you can be sure that your pet will not ingest something harmful to them. Here are some answers to the questions you might have in case your dog accidentally eats stuffings.

What happens if a dog eats stuffing?

In case your dog has swallowed stuffing, they might choke or have the passage in their intestines blocked. You should call the vet if you believe they have swallowed stuffing. If the materials stay in the gut, it can compromise the dog’s blood flow, leading to intestine removal. It would be wise always to choose a more durable dog toy.

Can dogs eat sage and onion stuffing?

You might ask questions such as, “Can dogs eat turkey stuffing?” and the answer is no. Stuffing usually has sage, onion, and other stuff that are toxic for pets. Although cooked, it’s better not to give it to them in large quantities. You must always be careful about what kind of food you feed your dogs.

Can stuffing kill dogs?

Some stuffing can endanger the life of your pet, especially in large amounts. You need to check what kind of food is good or bad for them. You can also ask your veterinarian questions like, “can dogs eat stuffing? Or what filling is safe to feed them.”

What happens if dogs eat onion?

Onions have N-propyl disulfide, a compound that breaks down the red blood cell, making your dog suffer anemia. It will also affect red blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen and lower the respiratory function of the dog. If they accidentally eat onion, your dogs will look weak, sluggish, and will eat less.

About Toy Stuffing

The stuffing found inside the dog’s toy is one of the things you should look out for. This fluff is called polyester fiberfill, which is made from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. Since the materials are derivatives of plastic, it would be dangerous for dogs or other animals to ingest it.

Accidental ingestion of this stuffing might block the air passage of the dog. It can also cause blockage on the dog’s intestines, which is a big problem. You will usually observe some symptoms if they accidentally ingest some stuffing such as vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and a lot more. If you see any sign of these symptoms, call your vet immediately.

Giving something to your dog is not bad since it is your way of showing your love to them. It is also wise to always ensure that what you are giving them is not harmful to their health. Never hesitate to ask your veterinarian what precautions you must take if you see your dog eating stuffing.

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