What’s Safe and What’s Not

Christmas dinner is always a big occasion and one full of delicious treats that we don’t often eat at any other time of the year. Most of us think our special friends should join in the tasty fun and have a special meal of their own, but not all food is safe for dogs to eat.

We’ve curated a list of what they can and can’t eat, and once you have viewed the food items that are ok, remember to still feed human food to dogs in moderation.

Even though there are foods to avoid, there are also some yummy staples of a Christmas dinner that can go straight into their bowls.

What they can eat

Turkey

Your dog can enjoy small amounts of boneless, skinless white meat.

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.

Don’t feed to your dog

Bird bones

They are hollow and whether raw or cooked they can easily splinter, making them a dangerous puncture or choking hazard.

Turkey or chicken skin

This is far too fatty for your dog. Fat can cause inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis).

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

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 such as 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. Therefore, best avoided.

Pigs in blankets

Too salty and fatty for dogs, although we’re sure they would disagree!

Grapes, raisins, currants, sultanas

These are fatal to dogs, even in small amounts. Seek veterinary help immediately if your dog eats these foods.

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

These are way too sugary or if they are sugar-free they 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.

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.

Stick to these golden rules and both you and your doggy will have a very merry Christmas.