Christmas Food Your Dog Can & Can't Eat

31 Comments

When preparing your Christmas dinner it is fun and a special treat to put some safe bits and pieces of food by for your dog too, so they can enjoy a special Christmas dinner or treat. But not all food is safe for dogs to eat. Some human morsels can be bad for your dog in an unpleasant but minor way like causing digestive upsets while other food stuffs are far more dangerous for canine's in a toxic way and may even cause death.

dog eating Christmas dinner

While many traditional Christmas foods can be enjoyed by humans, it's important to be cautious when sharing them with dogs. Some holiday foods can be harmful or even toxic to dogs. This is in no way intended to be an exhaustive list of all festive fodder but rather a general guideline of some of the more common fare:

what you can and can't feed your dog at Christmas

In our infographic above we show the human foods that are OK and not so good for dogs to consume. Please remember though that even safe human grub should be fed to your dog in moderation. Too much of any food and especially an unfamiliar food, whether harmful or not, can upset your dog’s stomach or make them ill.

No one likes feeling full and bloated on Christmas day. You are in charge of making sure your pet does not eat beyond their own comfort levels. Moderation is important. You don't want to make your dog sick.

OK for your dog’s Christmas dinner

There are quite a few human foods to avoid feeding to your dog but there are some yummy staples of a Christmas dinner that your dog can safely eat in moderation.

Turkey

Your dog can enjoy small amounts of cooked boneless, skinless white meat like chicken or turkey.

Cranberry sauce

Feel free to let your dog try a little on their turkey if you like but only a little and only if it is pure cranberry sauce with nothing else added like sweeteners or other fruits, nuts etc...

Potatoes

A tasty festive treat but make sure you only feed your dog plain mashed or boiled potatoes with nothing else added (e.g. salt, butter). Again, moderation is important. Potatoes, no matter how they are prepared or cooked are very starchy, which dogs can struggle to digest.

Vegetables

Take it easy with veggies but you can feed your dog some carrot, parsnip, green beans, courgette, Brussel sprouts, broccoli florets (very small amount only), peas, spinach, cauliflower etc... Most green or mixed veg is fine for dogs. If you do a mashed carrot and swede with your Christmas dinner your dog is sure to love that but don’t add butter or seasoning to their portion. Avoid corn on the cob and bulb vegetables such as onions and leeks.

Eggs

I love scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for my Christmas Day breakfast. As a treat you can cook your dog an egg too. Eggs are a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals and are good for our dog’s health. If you are worried about the salmonella risk of feeding raw eggs, cook them. Scrambled is a great way to cook eggs for your dog, but don’t add milk, butter or salt of course. As for the smoked salmon, I think the jury is out on that one but I keep that all for myself anyway, lol.

Fruit

Can be high in sugar and can also be acidic, which can upset your dog's digestion so give in moderation and remove the pips/stones first. The fruit to avoid is rhubarb. The stalk of the plant and also its leaves are toxic to canines.

Don’t feed to your dog

Bones

Bird bones are hollow and whether raw or cooked they can easily splinter, making them a dangerous puncture or choking hazard. Cooked bones, such as those from turkey or ham, can splinter and cause serious health issues, including blockages and perforations of the digestive tract. It's safer to avoid giving any bones to dogs.

Turkey or chicken skin

Any of these types of foods are far too fatty for your dog. Fat can cause inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis). Avoid feeding any fatty foods to your canine chum. Foods high in fat like cooked skins, gravy and rich sauces, can cause pancreatitis in dogs, which is very serious and requires immediate veterinary attention.

Gravy

Very tasty but too salty and fatty for dogs. They will enjoy their turkey dinner just as much without gravy. It is best avoided.

Onions, garlic and other bulb vegetables (e.g. chives, leeks, shallots)

Onions are a definite no as they are poisonous to dogs. This includes any variant such as onion powder. Also avoid feeding your dog other bulb vegetables e.g. chives, leeks and shallots. Garlic is a contentious issue and while a little bit of garlic is not toxic to your dog it can have a dangerous cumulative effect.

Herbs and spices

Dogs are not used to eating herbs and spicy foods and stomach upsets may result.

Stuffing

A mixture of breadcrumbs with onions, spices and herbs. The onions can be especially dangerous (see above) so stuffing is therefore best avoided.

Bacon and ham

These foods are far too salty and fatty for dogs. Goodies like pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped on bacon) and hams are high in sodium and fat. They can be difficult for dogs to digest and won't make them feel good. Additionally, the seasonings and glazes used on some hams may not be suitable for dogs.

Grapes, raisins, currants, sultanas

These are fatal to dogs, even in small amounts. Seek veterinary help immediately if your dog eats these foods. Some dogs can cope with eating a few but many cannot and you have no idea which way your dog may react so don’t risk it at all.

Mince pies, Christmas pudding and fruit cake

Apart from being full of dangerous fat, these festive treats contain dried fruits (such as raisins, see above), spices and sometimes alcohol.

Avocados

A festive favourite for many of us but both the fruit and the stone of the avocado contain a chemical that is dangerous to dogs.

Chocolate

So tasty but a big danger to dogs. It contains Theobromine which can be deadly to canines, even in small amounts. Keep it well out of their reach at all times.

Yeast and uncooked dough

It rises and ferments in the stomach. Not only painful but can be fatal. Keep yeast and dough safely away from your dog when doing your Christmas baking.

Human deserts and sweets

Many desserts contain ingredients like chocolate, raisins, nuts and artificial sweeteners. Keep all sweets, puddings and desserts out of reach of your furry friends. They are way too sweet and sugary for dogs and even if they are sugar-free they will likely contain artificial sweeteners. The sweetener Xylitol is very dangerous to dogs and sugar is bad for your dog’s waistline and teeth.

Nuts

Macadamia nuts and walnuts are toxic to dogs and salted peanuts of course won’t do your dog any favours. Other nuts such as cashew nuts, pistachios and almonds are OK in small quantities but may be hard to digest and may cause stomach upsets.

Fruit pips and stones

Dogs love fruit but only in moderation and be sure to remove all pips and stones first. Many fruit stones and pips (e.g. apple, cherry, peach, pear, plum, and apricot) contain cyanide, which is poisonous. But actually the danger of intestinal blockage is why this is on our list, which probably poses the greater risk.

Milk and dairy products

Take it easy when it comes to giving your dog any milk and dairy products. Dogs have difficulty digesting lactose so upset stomachs can result.

Mushrooms

Some are OK but some are not so our advice is to avoid feeding them to your dog.

Be sensible and safe

If you want to share a holiday meal with your dog, stick to dog-friendly treats and foods. They will be thrilled if you prepare them some plain, unseasoned meats and vegetables.

If you are not sure what they might tolerate then don't risk it. No one is going to thank you for a sick dog on Xmas day, especially not the dog. Also remember that each dog is different and some doggies may be more sensitive to certain foods than others. If you do share any holiday foods with your dog or if they grab and eat something they shouldn't , it is crucial to monitor your dog for any signs of discomfort or illness and seek veterinary attention if needed.

Other dog Christmas food tips

  • No booze or caffeine – clear cups and glasses away and put all coffee and alcohol out of reach of your dog.
  • Keep pets out of the busy kitchen to prevent accidents.
  • Don’t over feed your dog – with dog food/treats or with human food/treats.
  • Dispose carefully of wrappers, human food and especially bones.
  • Take the rubbish out and whether the rubbish bags are inside or out secure them so they can’t be broken into. Dispose of leftovers, especially the bird carcass, carefully.
  • Ask all visitors not to feed your pet anything. It is easier than trying to get everyone to follow the food rules above and if everyone gives your pet tit bits it will soon add up to a lot of extra food.

Christmas plants

Finally, don’t let your dog ingest your Christmas greenery. Dog’s love to sniff and nibble at new things in the home. A new plant placed at their level is sure to be investigated. Popular Christmas plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are toxic to dogs so keep them well out of reach of your pets.

By Jenny Prevel

Disclaimer: D for Dog assumes no responsibility or liability for the content of this article or the listed foods. If unsure, please seek veterinary advice.


J Barnes
02 December 2013  |  20:16

very helpful list but I understand that Broccoli is NOT good for dogs and yet you say it is o.k for them.You say no raisins and I think you should have no Christmas cake as this has raisins but people tend to forget this and give dogs cake.


D for Dog
02 December 2013  |  20:28

Thank you for your comments. With regards broccoli my research seemed to suggest that the heads are fine, which is why I included broccoli florettes as OK. I also stressed with all the veg that it should be in moderation. I take your point though and will add "very small amount only" to broccoli :-) With regards fruit cake, I did mention not to feed mince pies, Christmas pudding and fruit cake i.e. Christmas cake.


Rachel Lucas
03 December 2013  |  13:12

You did mention the dangers of fat causing pancreatitis in your very useful article...but I really want to highlight this potentially fatal condition that so many dog owners just do not know about. We were clueless about it ourselves until our beloved wire fox terrier 'stole' almost a whole pack of butter which I had stupidly left on the edge of the work top, just within reach of a jump. She so nearly died. The pancreas becomes inflamed and starts to eat itself, and almost as dangerous is the shock that the dog suffers which can cause death on its own. We were very lucky. She was on a drip with morphine for 4 nights (thankfully insured as the bill was almost £1,000) and lost an amazing amount of weight. She is now on a low fat diet for life at the age if 5, as she has ruined her pancreatic function,& we have to watch & monitor everything she eats. Luckily her favourite treats are raw carrot sticks & raw Brussels sprouts which are fat free. She is very well now and as energetic as ever, but this was so very nearly not a happy ending. I really want to warn all dog owners of the dangers of high fat products, as the pain to dogs and trauma to their owners is a terrible price to pay. Hope everyone has a merry healthy Christmas!!


D for Dog
03 December 2013  |  13:19

Gosh, thank you for sharing. Yes, fat is more of a danger than I think many of us realise, including myself until I researched the article. I am glad she survived but sad to hear that the effects are lifelong.


Hannah
03 December 2016  |  1:54

Yes, pancreatitis is awful. Caused by too much fat in a short amount of time, and some breeds are more susceptible. My dog ate avicadhes off the tree. The vet said the fat caused pancreatitis. It cost us $1400 USD. Then, the dog has to go in a bland diet (which they hate) and they are more susceptible to future bouts of pancreatitis. A bite of beef a day is better than all at one sitting , which causes it. And, they get it more frequently at holidays.


Joyce a Bartlett
02 April 2017  |  5:06

I saw my Doberman eating something near the far end of the side fence in the backyard. He had finished it before I could get close to him. In about twenty-four hours he could not lay down because of pain, wouldn't eat and vomited once.
It turned out to be pancreatitis. He wasn't as sick as your dog. The veterinarian gave him a shot for pain, and an antibiotic and pain pills for me to take home. The shot only relieved the pain for a few hours and he was sitting up again in pain. I have a pain pill and called the veterinarian back and a second pain pill was given. It was twenty-four hours and two veterinarian visits before he was truly comfortable from when the pain first started. Then about a week of bland food. I am sorry to hear that other dogs have been much more sick with pancreatitis. Like Rachel said it can be fatal and even milder cases like my dog had can cause your dog a lot of pain. So be sure to keep fatty foods out of reach and dogs can get in amazing places to get something that really smells good and tempts them.


Robert Percy Hollick
03 December 2013  |  13:59

thanks spread in mash now a no no now


Tammy
20 November 2014  |  2:17

Are hot dogs and vienna sausages ok for dog's to eat or are they to fatty? I'm just asking because my mom feeds those to her dog's.


D for Dog
20 November 2014  |  9:37

I think standard sausages and pigs in blankets etc... wouldn't be a healthy option for dogs but chunks/slices of those hot dog sausages you get in cans are fine. Many people use them as high value (i.e. yummy) dog training treats :-)


Sarah
01 December 2014  |  17:27

Be careful with feeding to many Hot Dog sausages as they are packed full of salt which is not great for dogs.
Great article though, our dogs love having Chrimbo dinner so its handy to check that your feeding them the right things.


Susan Biggs
02 December 2015  |  12:15

Thanks for this very informative article which I have shared.


Zoe Herbert
25 December 2015  |  16:01

My dog loves veg, cooked or raw. He loves cooked brocolli but will eat pretty much anything cooked or raw. I have today discovered that he likes raw red cabbage and sprouts - are these ok for him???


D for Dog
27 December 2015  |  10:34

Sprouts are fine in small amounts - please see above. Some cabbage should also be fine. With both of those though, watch out for wind. Don't go overboard feeding those types of veggies.


Sharon
10 March 2019  |  10:54

We give most bed to our Labrador he loves anything as labs do but thanks about the cabbage giving them wind I always wondered what was the cause


June Cookd
26 December 2015  |  13:39

Is it ok for my dog to eat steak pie


D for Dog
27 December 2015  |  10:44

I am not a vet so can only take the same educated guess as the rest of us. If the pie is rich I would say only a very small amount as a taster. The steak part is fine but it depends how it was cooked and always take care with rich sauces, buttery pastry etc...


Sheena
01 December 2016  |  22:57

I give my dog steak pie, but only the steak part & not before I've put it in kitchen roll & got most of the gravy off with regards to the pastry as said above is full of butter, so be careful


Leon
30 December 2015  |  17:29

some no it all told me i should give my dog/Lady sprouts!!i found the site very helpfull as to which foods i can give my dog/Lady and foods i should not give..


Lisa Beddis
06 February 2016  |  13:08

how safe is baked potatoes as my dog loves them she is a lurcher but is banana danger to eat and is tuna dangerous for them. please could anyone help me with a answer thank you


Julie Daleju
31 August 2016  |  22:35

very good I have a 5 year old dachshaund who is great as I am disabled he helps me my best friend all the tips very informative


Annie Davies
09 October 2016  |  19:08

My little Cavapoo adores cheese - you say dairy can be a problem so what do you recommend ?


Glenys
23 December 2016  |  15:27

I think cheese is safer than milk - it's something to do with the lactose content, but only used as a tiny treat size for training. Most dogs and cats really love cheese, so be carefull not to leave them alone where they can get to big chunks of it😀


Lee
28 December 2016  |  0:02

Green beans on Christmas dinner are fine as they are super food for dogs


Steph
31 December 2016  |  3:58

Oh my with the hot dogs!!!! Absolutely not. As others have mentioned, certain problems are are breed specific, but canines don't have the proper enzymes to digest fats (cooked poultry skin and grease, sausages, cheese,etc...) try boiled liver, duck, or boiled chicken skin removed. People tend to humanise dogs, so they choose what sounds nice as food, but dogs love the heart..liver...and all the gross stuff and it's good for them.to those other e about dairy... it's only safe in the way that really crap candy is safe for us. We don't die...but it's still bad. The hot dogs? Depending on breed and size, it's high pancreatitis risk. I highly recommend cooking a lanm shoulder for the family and letting pup have at the bone x


LEL
20 September 2017  |  13:56

Any bones given to dogs should only be raw as they are soft, cooked bones become brittle and splinter, therefore, could puncture the soft tissue or organs.
This advice is given by specialist vets and breeders. If you do give your dog bones be careful about giving them weight bearing ones as they can damage your dog's teeth.


Lovemydog
18 March 2017  |  20:28

My dog is over weight..tried everything.. over cautioned on the onions ..raisins etc..but she is same weight all time if dieted or not.. she is a little pig if honest... so what do I do?.. her dog food is vile to her and takes he a lot to eat bakers. Think she would lose weight but me giving her bits from mine to compensate is wrong.. she loves the odd dog friendly Sunday dinner tho


Jeanne Parker
27 June 2017  |  9:13

to lovemydog.Dr Harry recommends adding uncooked oats to dog food as this is a healthy option and it fills them up, so you give them less dog food, also good for over weight cats.


Aisha Mostafa
23 November 2017  |  10:02

First of all steel yourself to ignore the longing gazes from your dog even when he races in at the sound of rustling paper. That is half the battle. i have found Hills Metabolic Prescription diet works very effectively (with no treats!). My gluttonous dog finally got bored with this so now he has pouches mixed with grated carrots. Both methods were approved by the vet and work very well. If you need to use training treats then Harringtons do one with only four calories in each treat and I break each treat into four pieces. Of course quantities will depend on your dog, just follow the guides for his target weight. Of course good walks are important too. Key advice though is to ignore the big brown eyes. Hope this helps.


Stefan
16 September 2020  |  16:34

I'd like to add one more fruit to this well-informed list, and that is the pips from persimmons, peaches, and plums. It may cause blockage in dog's intestines and therefore should be avoided.


D for Dog
16 September 2020  |  16:39

OK, those fruits are not traditional Christmas foods but thanks for the info.


Vickie
25 December 2021  |  5:37

Thank you for all of the amazing information!
My only question is: Can dogs eat all beef boiled hotdogs?
My dog loves them and I usually give him one, cut up. He never seems to act sick or gassy.