The Thanksgiving season is a time to gather with family and friends, and your four-legged family member is no exception. Although your senior pet can’t safely share a spot at your table, they can still partake in the holiday feast. With a few tweaks to your Thanksgiving menu, you can create a holiday dinner fit for your furry pal. Add the following five foods to your senior pet’s plate for a safe, healthy Thanksgiving day meal.

#1: Plain turkey breast provides a special treat for meat-loving pets

The star of the Thanksgiving show is the mouthwatering, roasted turkey. Whether you prefer dark or white meat, or your family always fights over the drumsticks, your pet can also safely receive their fair share of turkey—with a few caveats. When sharing the Thanksgiving turkey with your pet, follow these rules:

* Stick to white meat only

* Ensure the meat is skinless and boneless

* Refrain from seasoning the turkey

* Offer small amounts only

While your pooch may be drooling over a drumstick, you had best keep their paws off this piece of the turkey. Instead, give them a bite or two of plain, skinless, boneless turkey breast for a special treat. 

#2: Raw veggies offer a satisfying crunch for senior pets

Many standard chews can be too tough for a senior pet who may have dental disease, or who may not be the exuberant chewer they were once. Raw vegetables make a perfect alternative to commercial chews while providing a hefty dose of fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants. Fresh, raw, or cooked veggies are an ideal side dish for your pet’s Thanksgiving feast, as long as they are free from seasonings and other ingredients, like cooking oils or butter. Safe and delicious veggies for your pet include:

* Green beans

* Broccoli

* Cauliflower

* Squash

* Carrots

* Pumpkin

* Cucumbers

Although veggies are a healthy “people” food, they should still be offered to your senior pet in moderation.

#3: Fresh fruits can be a tasty dessert for senior pets

Fresh fruit can be a sweet treat for people, but some fruits are toxic to pets. In addition, certain fruits are high in sugar, which can upset your pet’s stomach. So, when concocting a fruit salad for your senior pet’s Thanksgiving dessert, leave out grapes, raisins, and currants, which can lead to kidney failure and death in pets. Also, avoid citrus fruits and fruits with pits. Most other fruits are fine in moderation, like:

* Strawberries

* Blueberries

* Raspberries

* Blackberries

* Apples

* Bananas

* Cantaloupe

* Peaches

* Pears

* Watermelon

#4: Potatoes can be mashed or dried for a fiber-filled treat

Potatoes are a staple on most Thanksgiving menus. Whether russet or sweet, mashed or candied, potatoes are a popular holiday dish. However, the potatoes we serve ourselves are often not safe or healthy for pets. Leave the candied yams and buttery mashed potatoes for your guests, and cook a special serving of plain, boiled, mashed potato—no added butter, chives, garlic, or other high-fat seasonings that are toxic to pets—as a side dish for your pet. Dehydrated sweet potato strips can also be a tasty, nutritious chew for your pet to snack on while you’re binging on your own feast. 

#5: Prescription diets can be turned into a special snack for senior pets

If your senior pet has a chronic health condition, they may be on a prescription diet, and should not be fed other foods or treats. But, that doesn’t mean that they have to miss out on enjoying a special meal. If your pet’s prescription diet comes in cans, fill a rubber Kong with their food. Add pieces of kibble for extra crunch, or toss the Kong in the freezer for long-lasting enjoyment.