7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving With Your Dachshund

From adorable Thanksgiving outfits and homemade pumpkin treats to festive photos and cozy holiday traditions.

Thanksgiving is all about good food, family, and being thankful for the things we love most. And if you're a dachshund person, there's a pretty good chance your little long dog is near the top of that list! 🧡

Of course, your dachshund probably has a slightly different idea of what Thanksgiving should look like.

A house full of people? Excellent.

Extra blankets on the couch? Even better.

An entire turkey sitting on the kitchen counter? Now we're talking! 😂

While we probably shouldn't let our doxies plan the Thanksgiving menu, there are plenty of fun ways to include them in the holiday.

From festive outfits and homemade treats to adorable photo opportunities and little family traditions, here are seven ways to make Thanksgiving extra special for your dachshund.

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1. Dress Your Doxie for Thanksgiving

Let's start with the obvious. Dachshunds in Thanksgiving outfits are ridiculously cute.

Those short little legs and long bodies make just about any holiday outfit entertaining, and Thanksgiving has some especially adorable options.

A few of my favorites include:

• Fall plaid bandanas: A simple, festive option that's perfect for Thanksgiving and cute enough to wear throughout the fall season.

• Turkey costumes: Because a dachshund dressed as a turkey, complete with little wings and tail feathers, is just funny. 😂

• Turkey hats: Sometimes all you need is a ridiculous little turkey sitting on top of your dachshund's head to create the perfect Thanksgiving photo!

• Thanksgiving sweaters: A cozy turkey-themed sweater is a fun way to dress up your doxie without going all out with a costume.

And here's the good news: Your dachshund doesn't need a full costume to look festive.

A cute fall bandana might be all you need!

DLG Tip: Choose outfits that fit comfortably without restricting your dachshund's movement. Watch for loose decorations, dangling pieces, or anything your dog might chew. Never leave your doxie unattended in a costume, and if they clearly aren't enjoying it, skip the outfit.

After all, Thanksgiving is supposed to be fun for them, too!

Our Thanksgiving Outfit Picks:

Affiliate Disclosure: The shopping links below are Amazon affiliate links. Doxie Life Guide may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Doxies can vary in size, please check the manufacturer’s size recommendations when selecting the correct size for your own doxie.

1. Fall Plaid Bandanas — The Easy Everyday Pick

These adorable orange plaid bandanas come in a two-pack, making them a fun, affordable way to dress your dachshund for Thanksgiving and the entire fall season.

2. Turkey Hat — The Funny Photo Pick

Sometimes a silly turkey hat is all it takes to create a hilarious Thanksgiving picture! This one even offers a small size listed as suitable for dachshunds. Be sure to check the measurements before ordering.

3. Turkey Costume — The Full Thanksgiving Look

Complete with little wings and colorful tail feathers, this turkey costume is made for memorable holiday photos. Just check the chest and back-length measurements for your doxie.

4. Thanksgiving Sweater — The Cozy Pick

This burnt-orange knit sweater features an adorable pilgrim turkey design. It's a festive choice for a cozy Thanksgiving celebration, especially for doxies who prefer a sweater over a costume.

2. Bake Some Pumpkin Pupcakes

If we're going to enjoy Thanksgiving dessert, shouldn't our dachshunds get something special, too?

One of my favorite ideas is making a batch of little pumpkin pupcakes.

These are simply small, dog-friendly cupcakes made with ingredients appropriate for dogs. They're a fun way to give your doxie a special holiday treat without sharing the rich desserts from the Thanksgiving table.

Pumpkin is a great seasonal ingredient to work with, and the little cupcakes are adorable when baked in a mini muffin pan.

A few things to remember:

• Use plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.

• Avoid chocolate, raisins, xylitol (also called birch sugar), nutmeg, and other ingredients that aren't safe for dogs.

• Keep the pupcakes small. Dachshunds don't need a human-sized dessert!

• Introduce unfamiliar ingredients cautiously, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.

And remember, even dog-friendly holiday treats should be just that—treats, not a replacement for a balanced meal.

Coming to the DLG Kitchen: Pumpkin Pupcakes!

We're working on an adorable little pumpkin pupcake recipe that's just right for celebrating with your doxie. Stay tuned for a dog-friendly Thanksgiving treat you can make right at home!

Affiliate Disclosure: The shopping link below is an Amazon affiliate link. Doxie Life Guide may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Silicone Mini Muffin Pan

This 24-cup mini muffin pan is perfect for making little dachshund-sized pupcakes! The sturdy metal frame makes it easy to transfer in and out of the oven without worrying about spilling batter, while the nonstick silicone cups make removing the finished treats and cleaning up a breeze.

I also love the idea of packaging a few pupcakes in a cute little container for a fellow dog-loving friend.

A Thanksgiving treat for their doxie? That's a pretty thoughtful gift!

3. Plan a Thanksgiving Dachshund Photo Shoot

If there's one thing we dachshund owners understand, it's that a good photo opportunity should never go to waste. 😂

And Thanksgiving gives us some adorable possibilities.

You don't need professional photography equipment or an elaborate setup. A few pumpkins, a cozy blanket, and your dachshund are often all it takes.

Here are five fun Thanksgiving photo ideas to try.

The Little Pumpkin Patch

Arrange a few miniature pumpkins around your dachshund on a blanket or in the yard. Add some colorful fall leaves for a cozy autumn look.

The Thanksgiving Turkey

Dress your doxie in a comfortable turkey costume and capture that perfectly unimpressed dachshund expression.

Honestly, sometimes the funniest pictures are the ones where they look like they're questioning all your life choices.

Thankful for My Doxie

Create a little sign that says "Thankful for My Doxie" and photograph your pup beside it.

This would be especially cute as an annual tradition.

The Cozy Fall Portrait

A soft plaid blanket, warm lighting, and a sleepy dachshund curled up on the couch.

Simple, beautiful, and probably the easiest photo you'll take all day.

The Thanksgiving Dinner Guest

Set up a little dog-safe photo scene with a festive bandana and an empty decorative place setting. Take the picture before serving your doxie's regular meal or special dog-friendly treat.

Just keep human food, candles, and breakable decorations out of reach.

DLG Photo Tip: Take pictures at your dachshund's eye level whenever possible. Natural light near a window or outdoors usually gives you beautiful results without needing a flash.

And don't forget the treats! A little encouragement can go a long way when you're trying to convince a dachshund to cooperate with your photography plans.

4. Make Your Dachshund a Little Thanksgiving Plate

Thanksgiving dinner is probably the part of the holiday your dachshund is most interested in.

And while sharing your entire plate isn't a good idea, you can make a small, dog-friendly Thanksgiving meal using a few simple ingredients.

Some foods that may be appropriate in small portions include:

• Plain cooked turkey: Boneless, skinless, and without seasoning.

• Plain green beans: Cooked without butter, salt, onions, or garlic.

• Plain pumpkin puree: Unsweetened and unseasoned.

• Plain cooked sweet potato: Without butter, marshmallows, sugar, or spices.

The key word here is plain.

Many Thanksgiving dishes contain ingredients that aren't safe for dogs, even when the main ingredient seems harmless.

Turkey gravy, stuffing, casseroles, desserts, and seasoned side dishes are best left off your dachshund's plate.

And never give your dog cooked turkey bones. They can splinter and cause serious injuries.

DLG Tip: Your dachshund's Thanksgiving plate should be a tiny holiday extra, not a second full meal. Consider reducing their regular meal slightly if you're adding appropriate extras, and be especially careful with rich foods if your dog has a sensitive stomach or a history of pancreatitis.

Want to know which people foods are safe to share?

Read More: Safe & Unsafe Foods for Dachshunds

That article is a handy reference to keep nearby during the holidays!

5. Create a Cozy Thanksgiving Retreat

Thanksgiving can be exciting for dogs, but it can also be a little overwhelming.

Between visiting family members, children running around, unfamiliar noises, and all the delicious smells coming from the kitchen, there's a lot happening.

And while some dachshunds are thrilled to supervise every minute of the festivities, others may appreciate a quiet place to escape.

Before guests arrive, consider setting up a comfortable little retreat with:

• Their favorite bed or crate

• A soft, familiar blanket

• Fresh water

• A favorite toy or appropriate chew

• A quiet spot away from the busiest areas of the house

If your dachshund is crate trained, their crate may be the perfect place to relax.

Just make sure guests understand that when your dog is resting in their special spot, they should be left alone.

This is especially important if you're hosting a large gathering.

One more holiday safety tip: With people coming and going, keep an extra eye on exterior doors. A curious dachshund can slip outside surprisingly quickly when everyone is distracted.

A little preparation can make Thanksgiving much more relaxing for both you and your doxie.

6. Take a Thanksgiving Day Walk

Before the cooking, company, and holiday excitement begin, why not start the day with a little outdoor adventure?

A Thanksgiving morning walk can be a wonderful way to spend time with your dachshund.

The cooler autumn weather, colorful leaves, and quiet morning atmosphere make it a lovely time to get outside.

You don't need to go anywhere special.

A walk around your neighborhood, a favorite trail, or even some extra time exploring the yard can be a nice change of pace.

Let your dachshund sniff, investigate, and enjoy the outing at a comfortable pace.

After all, sniffing is serious business when you're a dachshund!

Just remember to keep activity appropriate for your dog's age, health, and mobility, and avoid pushing a dog with back problems or other physical limitations.

And here's a bonus: A little exercise and mental stimulation before guests arrive may help your doxie settle down during the festivities.

Although I make absolutely no promises when the turkey comes out of the oven. 😂

7. Start a "Thankful for My Doxie" Tradition

This might be my favorite idea of all. ❤️

Thanksgiving is a wonderful reminder to appreciate the little things that make life special.

And our dachshunds certainly give us plenty of those moments.

What if every Thanksgiving, you took one picture of your dachshund and wrote down something you're especially thankful for about them that year?

It doesn't have to be anything elaborate.

Maybe it's the way they greet you at the door.

The funny little noises they make when they want something.

Their determination to burrow under every blanket in the house.

Or the way they somehow manage to take up an entire king-sized bed despite being approximately twelve inches tall. 😂

You could keep the pictures and notes in a scrapbook, a digital album, or a special memory book.

Over the years, you'd have a beautiful little collection of Thanksgiving memories.

And if you have a new dachshund puppy, this is an especially sweet tradition to start during their first holiday season.

A Little DLG Idea: Create a simple "Thankful for My Dachshund" memory page with space for a photo, the year, and a favorite memory. Save one every Thanksgiving and watch your collection grow.

Sometimes the smallest traditions become the ones we treasure most.

A Few Thanksgiving Safety Reminders

Before we wrap up, here are a few things worth remembering during the holiday:

• Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, onions, garlic, alcohol, and other dangerous foods out of reach.

• Don't share cooked turkey bones, fatty scraps, gravy, or heavily seasoned dishes.

• Secure garbage cans and food scraps so curious noses can't investigate.

• Keep candles, electrical cords, and fragile decorations away from your dachshund.

• Make sure guests know not to sneak your dog table scraps.

• Give your dachshund a quiet place to rest when the festivities become overwhelming.

If your dog eats something potentially toxic, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control service promptly rather than waiting for symptoms.

A little planning helps everyone enjoy a safer, happier Thanksgiving.

The Best Thanksgiving Memories Include Our Dogs

Thanksgiving doesn't have to mean elaborate costumes, expensive decorations, or a perfectly staged photo shoot.

Sometimes it's as simple as a morning walk, a homemade treat, or your dachshund curled up beside you while the family gathers.

But if you do happen to dress your doxie as a turkey, I certainly hope you take pictures. Lots of pictures. 😂

Whether you're celebrating with a house full of people or enjoying a quiet holiday at home, I hope you find a few fun ways to include your little long dog in the festivities.

Because at the end of the day, there's one thing we dachshund people can probably all agree on:

Life is a little sweeter—and a whole lot funnier—with a dachshund in it.

Happy Thanksgiving from Doxie Life Guide! 🦃🧡🐾

Important Note: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always consider your dog's individual health, dietary needs, and activity limitations when planning holiday activities or treats.