Can dogs eat pumpkin pie? (What to know for Thanksgiving)

While most are talking turkey, a lot of us are looking forward to the desserts served for Thanksgiving. The main one is easily pumpkin pie and it's a truly polarizing dessert.

No matter if it's homemade or store-bought, everyone has an opinion. However, the American Kennel Club has an answer and it's no. While it might seem like a no-brainer, it's something that new dog owners might not think about.

The AKC post goes into detail: "Dogs shouldn’t eat pumpkin pie, given that this delicious fall staple contains unsafe ingredients. Along with the spices, the filling contains sugar and condensed milk, which can cause stomach upset. In small amounts, pie crusts won’t harm your dog, but sugar and butter aren’t good for them." Given that dogs also shouldn't be eating pumpkin pie spice, it's obvious they shouldn't be eating anything made with it.

The good news is that the American Kennel Club does have an alternative if you're looking to have your dog enjoy a little dessert on Thanksgiving.

Dogs can enjoy pure pumpkin instead of pumpkin pie this year.

If you're making your pumpkin pie homemade, then you're probably going to get a can or two of pure pumpkin. Before making your pumpkin pie filling, you can set some aside for your pup to enjoy as a treat. Pumpkin is often recommended when dogs aren't feeling well so that's something you might need after giving them some Thanksgiving food.

For those who are going the store-bought route, you can always grab a can of plain pumpkin if you're looking to give your dog an extra special treat for Thanksgiving. Given the sheer amount of pumpkin desserts you can make with canned pumpkin, saving to the side for your dog isn't a big deal and as mentioned, will be a great treat for them either before or after your Thanksgiving feast.

For those wanting to go the extra mile, Dessert Done Light shared a recipe for Dog Pumpkin Pie which mimics the version we know and love but is dog-friendly. Looking at the recipe, you probably have most of the items on hand or can quickly run to the store to grab them. Additionally, you could even give this one a try even though it's probably not going to handle a candle to the non-dog-friendly version.

Overall, Thanksgiving is about giving and enjoying some tasty food so why not go the extra mile for your furry friend this year?