Healthy Thanksgiving Treats for Our Little Loved Ones

Thanksgiving isn't just a meal; it's about thanks, family, and reunion. We sit at the dinner table, share our favorite dishes, and celebrate the season with laughter and love. And of course, for most of us, family extends beyond just humans—it's our loyal dogs, curious cats, and even the happy birds singing in our homes.

It feels only natural to want to share a bit of that holiday magic with them, too. After all, they sit at our feet during dinner, hoping for a taste, and they give us their unconditional love every day of the year. But while our plates overflow with stuffing, gravy, and spiced dishes, not everything we eat is safe for pets.

That's why, instead of stealing them bits off the plate, it's worth going the extra step to make them feel part of the celebration. With a little attention—and some herbs-inspired creativity—we can make safe, healthy treats that will allow our pets to get into the Thanksgiving mood.

Thanksgiving Herbs and Pets: What You Should Know

When you think of Thanksgiving, chances are rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley are at the heart of the menu. These herbs bring rich aroma and warmth to traditional holiday recipes, filling your kitchen with scents that signal comfort and celebration. Many pet parents wonder if these fragrant additions can be shared with their furry family members gathered hopefully under the table.

The short answer is complicated. While these herbs aren't typically toxic in the way that chocolate or grapes are, they're not exactly ideal for pets either. Let’s see how they differ and why it’s not the best idea to give these herbs to your pet.

Parsley: The Garnish That's Not So Simple

Parsley often gets tossed onto plates as a final flourish, and you might think this innocent-looking herb would be perfectly safe for pets. In very small amounts, common curly parsley won't cause immediate problems for most animals. Some pet parents even add tiny pinches to food for the fresh scent.

However, there's more to consider. Parsley contains compounds called furanocoumarins and oxalates. In larger quantities, these natural chemicals can irritate the digestive system and potentially affect kidney function over time. Spring parsley, a different variety altogether, contains higher concentrations of these compounds and should be avoided completely.

Thyme: Lovely Scent, Questionable Benefits

Thyme carries that wonderful earthy aroma that makes holiday dishes sing. This Mediterranean herb is generally considered safer than some other culinary plants, and you'll occasionally see it in very small amounts in commercial pet products. But safer doesn't necessarily mean beneficial.

The problem with thyme comes down to essential oils. Fresh thyme contains thymol and other volatile compounds that give it that distinctive scent. While these oils are part of what makes thyme antibacterial and useful in cooking, they're quite potent. A pet's digestive system doesn't break down these concentrated plant oils as efficiently as ours does.

Rosemary: Aromatic and Overwhelming

Rosemary is perhaps the most aromatic of the Thanksgiving herbs, with its pine-like fragrance and woody stems. You'll find it in some commercial dog foods, usually in very controlled amounts as a natural preservative rather than a flavoring agent. This leads many pet parents to assume rosemary must be fine for their companions.

The reality is more nuanced. Rosemary contains several potent compounds, including camphor and other essential oils. These give rosemary its characteristic scent but can be quite harsh on sensitive stomachs. 

Sage: A Thanksgiving Favorite Best Kept to Yourself

Sage is practically synonymous with Thanksgiving stuffing, bringing that slightly peppery, earthy flavor to the table. But sage is actually one of the more problematic common herbs for pets, despite appearing in holiday dishes everywhere.

The main concern with sage is its essential oils, particularly thujone. In significant amounts, thujone can affect the nervous system. While the amount in a few leaves probably won't cause dramatic symptoms, it can still lead to digestive upset. 

Bottom Line:

While a tiny amount of these herbs probably won't send your pet to the emergency vet, they're simply not designed for animal consumption in the portions or preparations we use for human food. Pets have different digestive enzymes, shorter intestinal tracts, and metabolic processes that evolved for different diets entirely.

But worry not! There are still many herbs your pet can enjoy this Thanksgiving. 

Gentle Everyday Herbs for Pets

Beyond holiday flavors, there are herbs that have long been recognized as pet-friendly when used properly. These aren't the intense, aromatic seasonings you'd sprinkle on roasted vegetables or rub into meat. Instead, they're gentle botanicals with softer profiles and a history of traditional use in animal care that spans centuries.

Let’s learn a bit more about them!

Fennel

Fennel has been valued in herbal traditions for thousands of years, appearing in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman texts. This feathery plant with its mild licorice-like scent offers something unique—it's gentle enough for sensitive digestive systems while still maintaining traditional usefulness.

The seeds, leaves, and even the bulb of fennel contain naturally occurring compounds including anethole, fenchone, and various flavonoids. Unlike harsher herbs, fennel has a naturally sweet taste that many animals find palatable. Pet parents have traditionally used fennel to support digestion, particularly after meals or during times when the tummy needs a little extra support. You can find it in our Wolf’s Respiratory herbal blend for dogs and more.

Linden

Linden—also called lime tree or basswood—offers both flowers and leaves for traditional use. The plant contains flavonoids, mucilage, and volatile oils that contribute to its gentle character. What's particularly noteworthy about linden is how mild it is. There's no bitterness, no harsh aftertaste, no intense aromatic punch. Just a soft, slightly sweet presence that animals seem to accept readily.

Pet parents often turn to linden during times of transition. A move to a new home, the arrival of a baby, fireworks season, or even just the general worries of modern pet life—these are moments when Linden's traditional qualities become especially valuable. 

For multi-pet households, linden offers versatility. The same gentle herb that helps a nervous dog relax before a thunderstorm can support a high-strung cat adjusting to a new environment. Birds experiencing seasonal changes may also benefit from linden's traditionally calming nature. Its universal gentleness makes it a foundational herb in comprehensive pet wellness blends like our Lion's Respiratory or Bird's Anxiety.

Peppermint

Peppermint stands apart from other mints in the herbal world. While spearmint and pennyroyal can be problematic for pets, peppermint—used correctly and in appropriate amounts—has a long history of traditional use in animal care.

The cooling sensation peppermint provides comes from menthol, its primary active compound. This same menthol that makes peppermint toothpaste tingle in your mouth offers refreshing qualities that pet parents have valued for generations.

Beyond oral freshness, peppermint has been traditionally recognized for supporting comfortable digestion. The volatile oils in peppermint leaves have properties that herbalists have long associated with digestion. A dog who's eaten something that didn't quite agree with him, or a cat experiencing occasional tummy sensitivity—these are situations where peppermint's traditional uses come into play. That’s why we use peppermint in our blends like Wolf’s Digestion or Lion’s Digestion.

Gratitude Goes Beyond the Table

What ties fennel, linden, and peppermint together isn't just their individual properties—it's their collective gentleness. These herbs don't force dramatic changes or overwhelm the body with intense compounds. Instead, they work with natural processes, supporting what the body already does well.

Our Secret Pets blends are built on this philosophy. Rather than treating pets like small humans who can handle whatever we throw at them, we recognize that animals need gentler approaches. Their metabolisms, liver function, digestive processes, and sensory experiences all differ from ours. 

Thanksgiving is about gratitude. Every day, our pets remind us what unconditional love looks like. They greet us at the door, keep us company, and make us laugh with their quirks. 

This holiday season, let’s share gratitude with all who make our homes brighter. Because Thanksgiving feels even more complete when every family member—big or small, furry or feathered—is part of the joy.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.