There are lots of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. No. 1 on the list? Your beloved dog! Well, maybe they're not No. 1, but they're definitely in the top five.

Here, we at Dog Training Elite in Shreveport / Bossier City, LA break down what Thanksgiving foods are safe to share with your dog, what to avoid, and if you're up for it, some special Thanksgiving treats you can whip up just for your furry best friend!

Safe Foods

Please note that these foods, although "safe" for dogs, should be plain. Salt, butter, or other seasonings can be harmful to your dog.

• Turkey: Try to get turkey close to the bone. Also avoid giving your dog any turkey bones or skin - the fatty skin can be especially harmful. If you have a dog with low kidney function, skip turkey altogether.
• Sweet potatoes: Before you smother your sweet potatoes in butter or marshmallows, set aside some for your pooch. They're a great source of dietary fiber!
• Potatoes: You get to eat both kinds of potatoes, and so can your dog! Just make sure that like with the sweet potatoes, you set aside baked or boiled potatoes for your dog before you cover them with butter, gravy or anything else.
• Apples: Apples are full of both vitamins and fiber and make a great Thanksgiving treat. Just make sure to cut out the core entirely, because apple seeds can be toxic for dogs.
• Green beans and peas: Plain green beans and peas are a wonderful healthy snack for canines. Like everything else on this list, make sure to serve them without butter or other seasonings.
• Pumpkin: Plain pumpkin is great for a dog's digestive health and for your dog's skin and coat. Make sure if you're getting pumpkin from a can it's plain pumpkin and not pumpkin pie mix.
• Carrots: Carrots are a yummy treat for dogs but they're also high in sugar, so avoid them if your dog is diabetic.

Foods to Avoid

These classic Thanksgiving dishes contain unsafe ingredients for dogs, so to make it easy for yourself, avoid giving any of these to your dog.

Turkey bones, skin or gravy
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Casserole
Creamed peas
Alcohol
Raisins or grapes
Onions, scallions and garlic
Ham
Yeast dough
Fatty foods
Spiced foods
Mushrooms

Thanksgiving Treats

If you really want to go the extra mile to help your dog celebrate the holiday, there are a ton of dog-friendly Thanksgiving recipes you can find online. Here's a recipe to get you started, adapted from Gone to the Snow Dogs.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. can of pumpkin (plain)
• 8 oz. plain low-fat yogurt
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour, or a mixture of all-purpose and whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
• 3 - 4 Tbsp. water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit
2. Grease muffin tins with oil or cooking spray, set aside
3. Mix oatmeal and flour together in a food processor or powerful blender
4. Add applesauce slowly, continuing to run the processor
5. Add water slowly, using only enough to make a ball (too much will make the dough sticky)
6. Flour or grease a surface to roll out your dough. You may want to grease or flour your rolling pin as well. Alternatively, roll out your dough between two pieces of parchment paper
7. Cut out 8 circles, about 4 inches across. Or, divide dough into 8 small balls before rolling out
8. Press individual circles into the bottom and sides of your greased muffin tin
9. Bake for 8 minutes
10. Let crusts cool, then remove from the muffin tin
11. Fill each crust with about 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of canned pumpkin
12. For extra festiveness, dollop plain yogurt on top of your mini pies
13. Let your dog enjoy their special treat!

If you have guests over for Thanksgiving, make sure they know not to give your dog anything from the table. You can even let them know your dog has his or her own special meal prepared! If your dog does accidentally ingest something they shouldn't, seek help right away.

All of us at Dog Training Elite in Shreveport / Bossier City, LA wish you and your four-legged frinds a Happy Thanksgiving!