Mr. Obama admitted to being slightly mystified by the White House turkey-sparing tradition, which began in 1963 and morphed into a full presidential pardon for the first time in 1989. But he said that in the midst of global crises, it was a welcome excuse to take a breath.

“It is a little puzzling that I do this every year, but I will say that I enjoy it, because with all the tough stuff that rolls around in this office, it’s nice once in a while just to say Happy Thanksgiving,” Mr. Obama said.

After his remarks, the president turned to a table decorated with pumpkins, gourds and mums, where Cheese was being held by his owner, and bestowed the official pardon. Mr. Obama made a crosslike gesture near Cheese’s head, as if blessing the bird.

Nearby, the first daughters, Sasha and Malia, looked less than thrilled, especially when the president reached out tentatively to pet Cheese, noting with amusement that turkeys “don’t have the best-looking heads.” His girls were similarly underwhelmed.

“You want to pet him?” Mr. Obama asked his daughters.

“Nah,” Malia said quickly, taking a few steps back.