Seasonal Tips
Christmas & Dogs: Foods to Avoid from Your Holiday Table
Holiday season brings joy, but also a spike in dog poisonings. Learn which festive foods are dangerous for your dog and how to keep them safe.
When to see a vet IMMEDIATELY
- •Blood in stool or vomit
- •Lethargy, not drinking, or not eating for 24+ hours
- •Repeated vomiting, especially if water won't stay down
- •Swollen or painful abdomen, whimpering
- •Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days, or worsening symptoms
This article is informational and does not replace veterinary examination.
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Christmas and Dogs
7 Most Common Holiday Poisonings
- Highly toxic: 1. Chocolate
- Highly toxic: 2. Raisins, Grapes, Raisin Pastries
- Highly toxic: 3. Onions, Garlic
- Highly toxic: 4. Cooked Bones
- Highly toxic: 5. Fat from Roasted Meats
- Highly toxic: 6. Xylitol
- Highly toxic: 7. Alcohol
🚨 1. Chocolate Theobromine = deadly. Dark chocolate is much more toxic. One bar of dark chocolate can hospitalize a medium-sized dog. Wrapped chocolate under the tree can be sniffed out and punctured!
🚨 2. Raisins, Grapes, Raisin Pastries Kidney failure. Even small amounts can be fatal. Fruitcake, raisin bread, raisin pastries: FORBIDDEN.
🚨 3. Onions, Garlic Damages red blood cells. Onions around roasted meat, onion potatoes, meat broth with onions: FORBIDDEN.
🚨 4. Cooked Bones Cooked turkey/chicken bones splinter easily. Can puncture intestinal walls → emergency.
🚨 5. Fat from Roasted Meats Pancreatitis risk (especially for Schnauzers, Yorkies, Pugs). Roasted skin, fatty scraps: FORBIDDEN.
🚨 6. Xylitol Diet sweets, baked goods, chewing gum. Deadly in small amounts.
🚨 7. Alcohol Wine soup, brandy punch. Dogs are much more sensitive than humans.
Forbidden from the Holiday Table
🚨 Chocolate (anywhere), poppy seed/walnut/raisin pastries, holiday candies, roasted goose/duck skin/fat, stuffed chicken (with onions), fish soup, bones in any form.
⚠️ In Moderation:
- Cooked pumpkin, unseasoned (plain is okay)
- Turkey breast, unsalted, boneless
- Mashed potatoes, NOT with onions/butter
What CAN You Give?
- Cooked pumpkin
- Unsalted turkey or chicken breast
- Carrots
- Small amounts of cooked broccoli, cauliflower
- Simple commercial dog treats
Near the Christmas Tree
Many poisonings occur due to wrapped candies under the tree — your dog's nose will find them!
- Repackage into a sealed container
- Place them high up
- Never leave tables unattended
Christmas Tree Poisoning
Pine needles, sparklers, foam decorations — dangerous. Tree water is also harmful.
Holiday Emergency
- Contact your vet immediately
- Estimate the quantity and time of ingestion
- Bring the packaging
- DO NOT induce vomiting at home!
Annual Dog Treat Ritual
Many families buy special (safe commercial) dog treats and give them under the tree.
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References
- 1.Noble PJM, Newman J, Wyatt AM, Radford AD, Jones PH — Heightened risk of canine chocolate exposure at Christmas and Easter. Veterinary Record 181(25):679, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.104762 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 2.Eubig PA, Brady MS, Gwaltney-Brant SM, Khan SA, Mazzaferro EM, Morrow CMK — Acute renal failure in dogs after the ingestion of grapes or raisins: a retrospective evaluation of 43 dogs (1992–2002). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 19(5):663–674, 2005. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2005.tb02744.x (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 3.Salgado BS, Monteiro LN, Rocha NS — Allium species poisoning in dogs and cats. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 17(1):4–11, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992011000100002 (accessed: 2026-09-10)
- 4.American Veterinary Medical Association — Household hazards: foods and substances that are toxic to pets. AVMA, 2024. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/household-hazards (accessed: 2026-09-10)
This is general information and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.
This guide was compiled based on the expert input of Reka Fazekas-Birizdo canine nutritionist.
Certified Canine Nutritionist
