🎄 Safe and Unsafe Christmas Foods for Dogs

🎄 Safe and Unsafe Christmas Foods for Dogs

Mandy Macpherson-Mongie

What Your Pup Can and Definitely Shouldn’t Eat This Holiday Season

Christmas is all about indulgence — rich dinners, sweet treats, endless snacks
 and dogs looking up at you with those hopeful little eyes. But holiday food is one of the biggest reasons vets see emergency visits in December.

Some Christmas foods are perfectly fine for dogs in moderation.
Others are toxic — even in tiny amounts.

Here’s your easy, no-stress guide to what’s safe, what’s risky, and what should never touch your dog’s bowl.

✅ Safe Christmas Foods for Dogs

(Still feed in moderation — Christmas isn’t cheat day for their tummy!)

1. Turkey (Plain, Boneless, Skinless)

Great protein source.
✔ No skin
✔ No seasoning
✔ No garlic or onion
✔ No cooked bones (they splinter)

2. Plain Vegetables

These are great, gentle options:

  • Carrots

  • Green beans

  • Peas

  • Brussels sprouts (small amounts — they cause gas!)

  • Sweet potatoes (plain, cooked)

Avoid butter, creams, spices, and oils.

3. Apples (No Seeds)

Crisp, sweet, and full of fibre.
Just remove the core and seeds.

4. Cranberries

Fresh or dried (unsweetened).
Skip cranberry sauce — it’s full of sugar.

5. Pumpkin Purée (Plain)

Soothes the stomach and supports digestion.
Avoid pumpkin pie filling — it’s full of spices and sugar.

6. Dog-Safe Christmas Treats

Homemade or store-bought with:

  • Oats

  • Peanut butter (NO xylitol)

  • Banana

  • Coconut flour

Perfect for stockings!

❌ Unsafe Christmas Foods for Dogs

These are the big “absolutely nots.” Some are toxic, others can cause serious stomach or pancreas issues.

1. Chocolate

You know this one — but guests often forget.
Dark chocolate is the most dangerous, and even small amounts can be fatal.

2. Christmas Pudding & Mince Pies

Loaded with:

  • Raisins

  • Currants

  • Alcohol

  • Sugar
    These can cause kidney failure.

3. Stuffing

Almost always contains onion and garlic, which damage red blood cells.
Even “just a little” is a no.

4. Grapes & Raisins

One of the most dangerous holiday foods for dogs.
Causes kidney failure extremely quickly.

5. Alcohol (All Types)

Dogs’ bodies can’t process alcohol AT ALL.
Even spilled wine on the floor is unsafe.

6. Turkey Bones (Cooked)

Cooked bones splinter like glass and can:

  • Tear the stomach

  • Puncture the intestines

  • Cause choking
    Avoid at all costs.

7. Artificial Sweeteners (Xylitol)

Found in:

  • Sugar-free desserts

  • Candy

  • Peanut butter

  • Chewing gum

  • Some baked goods

Xylitol can cause liver failure within hours.

8. Rich, Fatty Foods

Think:

  • Goose fat

  • Gravy

  • Sausage stuffing

  • Pigs in blankets

  • Cheese boards

These can trigger pancreatitis — a painful, dangerous inflammation of the pancreas.

9. Macadamia Nuts

Causes tremors, weakness, vomiting, and fever.

10. Onions, Garlic & Leeks

Toxic even in cooked or powdered form — many Christmas dishes contain them.

đŸ¶ What to Do If Your Dog Eats Something They Shouldn’t

  • Call your vet or emergency vet immediately

  • Bring the packaging if possible

  • Note the amount, time, and symptoms

  • Don’t wait — toxicity progresses fast

Common signs include:

  • Vomiting

  • Shaking

  • Diarrhea

  • Lethargy

  • Wobbliness

  • Excessive drooling

When in doubt, call a vet. You’ll never regret being cautious.

🎁 Final Thought

Christmas doesn’t need to be stressful for dog parents. With a little awareness, your pup can safely enjoy the festivities right alongside you. Keep tempting foods out of reach, offer dog-safe alternatives, and give them plenty of love during the hustle and bustle.

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