Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Stuffing? No — Onion and Garlic Are the Danger
No, dogs should not eat stuffing: most recipes are made with onion and garlic, which can poison a dog by damaging its red blood cells, and many add raisins, which can cause kidney failure. Stuffing is also rich in butter and salty broth. If your dog ate stuffing, especially a large amount or a recipe with raisins, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why stuffing is dangerous for dogs
Classic stuffing, or dressing, is bread cooked with onion, celery, butter, broth and herbs, and very often garlic. The AKC explains that onion contains N-propyl disulfide, which damages red blood cells and can lead to hemolytic anemia, that garlic is in the same family, and that food cooked with onion is unsafe even after the pieces are removed.
Boxed stuffing mixes usually carry dried onion and garlic powder, which the AKC notes are more concentrated than fresh. Store-bought broth and bouillon add more onion and salt; the ASPCA warns bouillon in stock and gravy is high in sodium, which can cause stomach problems and, in severe cases, seizures.
Raisins, nuts, sausage and other add-ins
Many family recipes go further. Raisins, currants and dried cranberries mixed with raisins turn up in sweet stuffings, and grapes and raisins can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, and pecans and walnuts are fatty and can be moldy.
Sausage, bacon and oysters add fat that can trigger serious stomach and pancreas trouble, and the ASPCA warns that fatty foods are dangerous for pets around the holidays. Stuffing cooked inside the bird can also hold raw turkey juices if it is undercooked, which can carry salmonella.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
Thanksgiving safety with a dog
The ASPCA's advice is to keep pets on their normal diet over Thanksgiving. Ask guests not to share food, keep plates and serving dishes away from table edges and counters, and do not leave a dog alone in the room with the buffet. A dog under the table will happily clean up a dropped spoonful of stuffing.
Leftovers are the other risk. Store stuffing in sealed containers, put the turkey carcass, bones and string in a lidded trash can and take it out promptly. If you want your dog to share the meal, the ASPCA suggests a small plate of plain turkey, sweet potato and green beans set aside before any seasoning.
What to do if your dog ate stuffing
Work out roughly how much was eaten and check the recipe or box for onion, garlic, raisins and nuts. Then call your vet or a poison line with your dog's weight and the ingredient list. Small dogs and large amounts are the most urgent. Do not make your dog vomit at home unless you are told to.
The AKC says to contact a vet right away if a dog eats onion, even a small amount, because a vet may be able to induce vomiting if it was recent. If raisins were in it, vets usually want to treat promptly whatever the amount, since no raisin dose is known to be safe.
Signs to watch, and their timing
Stomach upset from the fat and salt tends to show within a few hours: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, thirst and a sore belly. A hunched posture, repeated vomiting, or a dog that refuses food after a rich meal needs a vet the same day.
Onion and garlic damage is often delayed. The AKC lists lethargy, weakness, decreased appetite, pale gums, fainting, reddish urine, a fast heart rate and panting. These can appear one to five days after eating, so keep watching through the long weekend and call your vet promptly if any appear.
Puppies and small dogs
Puppies and dogs under 20 lb are at the greatest risk, because a spoonful of stuffing is a much larger dose of onion and garlic for a small body. A toy breed that eats a plate of stuffing should be seen by a vet even if it seems fine.
Puppies are also the most likely to raid a trash bag or knock a dish off a low table. Keep them in a separate room or crate with a chew toy during the meal and while clearing up.
Common questions
Will a little stuffing hurt my dog?
It can, depending on the recipe and your dog's size. Most stuffing contains onion and garlic, and some contains raisins. Call your vet with the ingredients and your dog's weight rather than waiting to see.
Can dogs eat Stove Top stuffing?
No. Boxed stuffing mixes typically include dried onion and garlic and are high in salt. If your dog ate some, check the box and call your vet or a poison line for advice.
Can dogs eat stuffing without onions?
Even onion-free stuffing is buttery, salty and often made with broth that contains onion. It is best kept off the dog's plate. Plain cooked bread in a tiny amount is the most that is reasonable.
How long after eating onion in stuffing will a dog show signs?
Vomiting can appear within hours, but anemia from onion or garlic often takes one to five days to show as weakness, pale gums or reddish urine. Call your vet early instead of waiting.
Can dogs eat turkey and stuffing leftovers?
Plain turkey meat with no skin, bones or seasoning is fine in small amounts. Stuffing, gravy and skin are not. Keep leftovers sealed in the fridge, out of your dog's reach.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
