Can dogs eat gravy?

Can they lick it off your plate and be fine? Yes. Should they eat gravy? Not really. Are they going to? Probably! While gravy isn’t always bad for dogs, it’s best not to give them holiday leftovers drenched in it.

Table Of Contents

Is gravy safe for dogs?
Types of gravy and what you can share
FAQs

Some homemade gravy might be okay-ish for your dog, but let’s be real—they’ll get hooked, scarf down all your table scraps, and probably overeat until they’re sick. Why? Because dogs love gravy for the same reasons we do, but unlike us, they can’t handle all that fat. Plus, some gravies have onion and garlic, which dogs shouldn’t eat.

So, while dogs technically can eat gravy, be careful with store-bought versions and give them only a little lick, not a full meal. Let me explain why.

Is gravy safe for dogs?

Most gravy is technically safe for dogs, and it is made from ingredients they can tolerate. However, many gravies also contain onions and garlic, which aren’t safe for dogs. But don’t panic—unless you’re loading your gravy with these ingredients, the small amounts probably aren’t enough to harm your dog!

Gravy is not toxic to dogs

So, the verdict? Gravy is generally safe, but if your dog ate some, just keep an eye out for any signs of digestive upset. Don’t worry—there’s likely not enough garlic or onion in there to be toxic.

What’s gravy made of, and why it’s not recommended for dogs

There are lots of different gravies out there, especially store-bought ones, but they usually contain things like:

Chicken or turkey stock

Flour or starch

Heavy cream

Red wine, whiskey, or bourbon

Turkey or chicken drippings (fat and juices)

Onions and garlic

Black pepper, rosemary, and other seasonings

As you can see, gravy is often full of fat and carbs that don’t offer any nutritional value to dogs. Plus, alcohol is dangerous for dogs, so that’s another reason to avoid it.

This is why gravy isn’t recommended, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach or is small. There have even been cases where people fed their dogs bread and gravy regularly, only to stop when their dogs became obese.

Here’s the rule of thumb: too many carbs and too much fat over time can lead to health problems and make your dog overweight.

Types of gravy and what you can share

Let’s be real—don’t share gravy with your dog. But if you’re going to give them a little taste, like letting them lick the mashed potatoes or enjoy a small bit of dog-friendly Thanksgiving leftovers, just follow this simple guide:

Sausage gravy

Can dogs eat sausage gravy? Nope, sausage gravy isn’t safe for dogs. It’s full of fat, but what’s even worse is that sausages usually come with spices like garlic and onion powder that aren’t good for them.

Chicken gravy

Is chicken gravy safe for dogs? Not really. While plain chicken is fine for dogs, chicken gravy is thickened with flour and has lots of fat. Plus, we usually add some garlic, which dogs shouldn’t have.

Beef gravy

Can dogs eat beef gravy? It’s best to skip it. Beef gravy, especially the store-bought kind, is full of fat and might even have onion powder, which isn’t safe for dogs.

Brown gravy

Can dogs eat brown gravy? I’d say avoid it. Brown gravy is often made with meat drippings, flour, and a bunch of seasonings that aren’t great for dogs. A small taste might not hurt, but regularly giving your dog brown gravy could lead to tummy trouble or extra weight.

Mushroom gravy

Is mushroom gravy safe for dogs? Nope. Even though some mushrooms are safe for dogs, the fats, oils, and seasonings in mushroom gravy make it a bad choice for their stomach.

Turkey gravy

Can dogs eat turkey gravy? Turkey gravy isn’t the best option, even though plain turkey is absolutely fine for dogs. The gravy is usually made with fatty drippings, salt, pepper, and other seasonings that may include garlic and onion powder!

White gravy

Is white gravy safe for dogs? Not really. White gravy is made with heavy cream, butter, and flour, which means it’s full of fat. Full-fat dairy is not healthy for your dog and could upset their stomach.

Gravy with onion powder

Can dogs eat gravy with onion powder? Definitely not. Onion powder is toxic to dogs and can cause serious health issues. Even small amounts of it in gravy make it unsafe, so this one’s a hard no.

Gravies ranked from worst to least harmful for dogs

Gravy with onion powder – Onion powder is toxic to dogs.
Mushroom gravy – Often contains fats and garlic, which are bad for dogs.
Sausage gravy – Loaded with fat and spices dogs shouldn’t have.
Beef gravy – High in fat and may contain harmful ingredients like onion powder.
Brown gravy – Made with fatty drippings and flour, but less risky.
Turkey gravy – Contains fatty drippings and unnecessary seasonings.
White gravy – Full of cream and butter, which can upset their stomach.
Chicken gravy – The least harmful, but it still has fat and garlic.

I hope this article helps you decide what’s safe to share with your dog! If you want to give them a holiday treat, stick to homemade pumpkin or mashed potatoes—both are good options for dogs when prepared at home.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat biscuits and gravy?

Biscuits and gravy might be tasty, but they’re not a great choice for dogs. Biscuits are carbs, and the gravy is full of fat, salt, and sometimes even garlic or onion powder, which aren’t safe for dogs. If they sneak a bite, don’t worry too much, but it’s not something you should be feeding them on purpose.