The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide for Cats: Safe Foods & No-Go Plates
Published On: 11/27/2025
Last Updated On: 11/27/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS
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FREE CAT HAIR HACKS ⬇️
Thanksgiving is here, and our newsroom paws are trembling with excitement (and hunger). While hoomans bustle around basting turkeys, mashing potatoes, and discussing Black Friday chaos, we’re over here wondering the most important question of the season:
“What can cats safely enjoy from the Thanksgiving table — and what’s a big absolute NO?”
Because yes, we cats deserve a feast too. We sit with you. Lets be honest… we judge your cooking. We supervise your kitchen work with incredible dedication. It feels only fair that we get something delicious and safe while you inhale your body weight in stuffing.
So today’s special report covers everything us feline family member can enjoy, what we can’t, and how to build the perfect mini Thanksgiving plate just for us.
Let’s serve the tea. And the turkey.
Safe Foods Your Cat CAN Enjoy
(Yes, you read that right. You can share… politely. In tiny portions.)
1. Turkey (the plain, no-fuss version)
This is the star of the feline-approved buffet.
The rules:
✔️ Small pieces
✔️ Boneless
✔️ Skin removed
✔️ No seasoning, oil, butter, or gravy
Think of it like a minimalist turkey experience crafted specifically for delicate, royal digestive systems.
2. Plain Pumpkin or Pumpkin Purée
Fiber-friendly. Stomach-soothing.
It’s like the wellness shot of Thanksgiving foods.
Make sure it’s 100% pure pumpkin, no sugar or spices.
3. Green Beans (steamed or plain)
A crunchy, healthy side.
Zero seasoning. Zero sauces.
Just bean glory.
4. Cat-Safe Broth
Bone broth or turkey broth with no onions, garlic,NO salt, or seasoning.
A perfect holiday hydration boost.
Foods that Are a Big NOOOO For Your Cats
We cannot stress this enough: these are dangerous.
🚫 Stuffing
Onions + garlic = big no.
Delicious for hoomans, toxic for us.
🚫 Gravy
Salt, fat, butter, seasoning…
Basically a “chaos potion” for cat stomachs.
🚫 Mashed Potatoes
Butter, cream, garlic, onions…
The nope list is longer than our patience.
🚫 Ham
Too salty + processed = no thank you.
🚫 Chocolate desserts
You already know.
We know you know.
But we must legally (and morally) repeat this.
Build a Mini Thanksgiving Plate for Your Cat
Here’s the fun part — crafting a holiday tasting menu.
🍗 Tiny turkey morsels
🎃 A teaspoon of pumpkin
🌱 A green bean chopped small
💧 A drizzle of cat-safe broth
Arrange it beautifully. Pretend we care about presentation (we don’t).
Take a photo anyway — it’s what hoomans do.
Make it a moment.
Enrichment Ideas for a Cozy Cat Thanksigving
Cozy cardboard “pie” box
Cut circles in a box and throw in toys that look like “stuffing balls.”
Hide-and-seek turkey treats
Hide plain turkey bites around your cat shelves so your kitty can climb, explore, and feel like a mighty hunter.
Quiet safe room
Thanksgiving can be loud.
Give your cat a calm retreat with blankets, pheromone spray, and a window perch.
Tall viewing platforms
Cats handle holidays best when they can observe from above.
If you haven’t invested in the best cat shelving yet… we’re judging you gently.
Our Mission at Stray Cat News
Our mission is always the same:
✨ Uplift cat parents
✨ Support rescues, ARLs, and cat cafés
✨ Create safer, better environments for cats
✨ And remind people that cats deserve love, attention, and safe food choices every single day
A safe Thanksgiving is a happy Thanksgiving.
And happy cats make happy hoomans.
This is what we call a win-win.
Want more holiday guides, safety tips, enrichment ideas, and chaotic feline wisdom?
Follow StrayCatNews.com for daily M–F stories from our newsroom paws to your heart.
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
festival of trees arl Berks County PA
Dust off the tinsel and fluff those whiskers —
the Festival of Trees is BACK, and we’re getting ready for one of the biggest, brightest, most heart-melting nights of the year with the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. ✨🎁
Tomorrow, we’re covering:
🎄 The magic behind ARL’s annual Festival of Trees
🐾 How every decorated tree helps pets in need
💛 Sneak peeks of this year’s themes, stories, and community love
🏆 Which trees our newsroom cats think will steal the show
🎟️ How you can visit, donate, vote, or get involved
If you love rescue pets, cozy holiday vibes, sparkling lights, and community kindness… tomorrow’s feature is your moment.
Grab your cocoa, gather your cats, and join us as we celebrate one of our FAVORITE local traditions.
