With the holidays rolling in, there is sure to be lots of baking and yummy smells coming from the kitchen. And if you have a furry friend running around, they will be looking for tasty morsels dropped on the floor. You may wonder if your pup can partake in any delicious holiday foods, specifically pumpkin pie. So, can dogs have pumpkin pie?

The simple answer is no; dogs cannot have pumpkin pie. However, the problem is not with pumpkins. The problem is with an ingredient that usually accompanies the tasty dessert: nutmeg. Nutmeg contains a compound called myristicin which is toxic to pets. This compound can cause disorientation, hallucinations, high blood pressure, seizures, and other dangerous symptoms when ingested in high doses. So keep foods containing nutmeg away from your dog, and ensure they can't get a hold of the spice container.

If your dog happens to snag a slice of pumpkin pie, you don't need to stress too much. Your dog will probably get a tummy ache and not feel great while it works through their system, but they should be fine. However, if they got ahold of the nutmeg spice container, you should seek help immediately.

Is Plain Pumpkin Okay?

While pumpkin pie is not safe for your dog due to nutmeg, plain pumpkin is a wonderful snack for your dog! Pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber and can help your dog's digestion. It can also add a little shine to your dog's coat and skin. Add a tablespoon or two of plain pumpkin puree to your dog's food for a delicious and beneficial holiday treat.

When purchasing pumpkin puree from the grocery store, double–check your labels. Plain pumpkin can is often stored next to pumpkin pie filling and can look very similar. Be sure not to feed your dog pumpkin pie filling by accident!

What About Other Pies?

Suppose you aren't a fan of pumpkin pie or are planning on having multiple pies this Thanksgiving. In that case, you might wonder if any other pies are safe or dangerous.

As a general rule, don't feed your dog "human food" with dairy, butter, salt, or other seasonings. These things can be harmful and upsetting to your dog. So pie crusts or sugary fillings are not safe for your dog. However, the key ingredients to many popular pies can be safe. We've made a list of which common pie ingredients are safe or unsafe for your dog to eat.

Safe to Eat

• Apples: while you enjoy a slice of apple pie, slice up a plain apple for your dog! Apples are a great source of vitamins and fiber. Be sure to cut out to the core entirely because apple seeds can be toxic.
• Cherries: we recommend being careful feeding cherries to your dog. While the fruit is safe for your dog, you should never feed them the pit, stem, or leaves because they are toxic and a choking hazard.
• Blueberries: blueberries are great for dogs! They are a superfood containing antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals. Just remember to stick with plain blueberries and not a blueberry pie filling.
• Peanut Butter: dogs love peanut butter! Feed your dog plain peanut butter that doesn't contain xylitol.

Unsafe to Eat

• Pecans: avoid feeding your dog pecans. Pecans are dangerous for dogs because they can cause intestinal issues and seizures.
• Chocolate: chocolate is toxic for dogs because it contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, which can cause significant illness in your dog.
• Limes or Lemons: It's best to avoid feeding any citrus to your dog or dogs. Lime and lemon juice and lime and lemon peels are very acidic and can cause an upset stomach.

If you have questions about other holiday foods and what is safe for your furry friend to eat, check out our blog, where we go over what Thanksgiving foods are safe for your dog and what foods you should avoid.

Problems With Begging?

If your furry friend gets a little too excited about the delicious foods at the dinner table and loudly begs or whines, you may benefit from some begging behavior training with Dog Training Elite in Howard County, MD! The professionals at Dog Training Elite have years of experience with training dogs and can handle any training needs you have. Request an in-home evaluation today, and let us help correct that pesky dinner table begging!