With only a few days until Christmas, the excitement is building! You’re probably thinking of putting up your Christmas tree, wrapping those presents and getting in all of your festive foods. It’s fun for all the family! But what CAN our pets enjoy over the festive season and what should they avoid?
Check out the “naughty” and “nice” lists below:
Table of contents
- Potatoes
- Vegetables
- Gravy is not safe for your pet.
- Stuffing is not safe for your pet.
- Christmas pudding and mince pies are not safe for your dog or cat.
- Onions, garlic, and bulb vegetables – are not safe for your pets.
- Nuts – are generally not safe for your pets.
- Milk and dairy – should not be offered to your pets.
- Safe foods for your dog’s Christmas dinner
- Further reading:
Turkey
Pets can enjoy turkey in moderation (if skinless and boneless).
Risks:
- Turkey skin is too fatty and can lead to digestive upset such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis (A condition where the pancreas, an organ that gives out enzymes to help digest proteins your pet has eaten, becomes inflamed and overactive leading to sickness, diarrhoea or in serious cases death).
- Bones can cause internal damage as they are prone to splintering when chewed, especially when the bones are cooked. Splintered bones can perforate the stomach or guts spilling intestinal contents into the abdomen and leading to septic peritonitis (infection) which is life-threatening. So, avoid those bones to keep your pet safe.
- Too much turkey can cause digestive upset such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis as it is quite a rich meat. Be careful just to offer a small amount only.
Cranberry sauce
Your pet can have some cranberry sauce if it is unsweetened and doesn’t contain nuts.
Risks:
- Too much can cause diarrhoea or vomiting so just a little taste is advised if you’re going to give your pet a lick of this treat.
- Some cranberry sauce can contain a sweetener called xylitol which is toxic to dogs and cats causing a rapid drop in blood sugar leading to seizure, liver problems and even death even in small volumes. Make sure your sauce doesn’t contain this sweetener to be safe.
- Nuts are high in fat so can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis and some are toxic to pets so avoid sauces that contain nuts.
Potatoes
Pets can have potatoes but mashed and plain, boiled or a very small volume of roasted potatoes if not salty, roasted in goose fat, or butter.
Risks:
- Avoid raw potatoes or excessive amounts of potato skins as they can cause illness.
- Potatoes roasted in lots of fats can lead to gastric upsets, vomiting, diarrhoea, or pancreatitis so avoid giving these to your pet instead opt for the plainer version so they can enjoy them without getting sick.
Vegetables
Yes, your pet can enjoy most vegetables.
Green beans, Brussel sprouts, carrots, parsnips, peas, swede, broccoli, and cauliflower (not covered in cheese!) are all nice treats for your pets at Christmas time.
Risks:
- Too many vegetables can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea so make sure it’s all in moderation.
Fruit
Raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries are ok for your pets.
Risks:
- Too much fruit can lead to vomiting or diarrhoea so remember only in moderation.
- Some fruits are toxic to dogs and cats such as grapes (like their dried counterparts) leading to kidney failure. Avoid fruits with pits or stones that can cause intestinal blockages and ruin that festive cheer.
Gravy is not safe for your pet.
Risks:
- Gravy is too salty and often contains onion powders and garlic, which are toxic to your pet’s red blood cells. Avoid gravy to prevent unwanted stomach upsets or toxicities, perhaps consider adding a little bit of wet food in gravy to simulate our experience and make their dinner extra special.
Stuffing is not safe for your pet.
Risks:
- Stuffing contains onions, which are toxic to pets, as well as spices and herbs which can cause tummy upsets.
Christmas pudding and mince pies are not safe for your dog or cat.
Risks:
- Both Christmas Puddings and Mince Pies contain lots of currants, sultanas and raisins which are toxic for your pet. There is no known toxic dose for currents, sultanas, and raisins so even one can sometimes cause serious illness and kidney failure in your pet – no matter their size.
Pigs in blankets?
These should probably be avoided.
Risks:
- Sausages wrapped in bacon and roasted in the oven sound like a lovely treat for us, but for our pets, they are too salty and can cause them to become rather poorly so best avoid this one too.
Chocolate should never be given to your pets.
Risk:
- Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and cats so should never be offered to them. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical causing agitation, tremors, convulsions, rapid heart rates, irregular heart rates and potentially death. Dark chocolate contains the highest volume of this dangerous chemical.
Onions, garlic, and bulb vegetables – are not safe for your pets.
Risks:
- These are highly toxic to dogs and cats, eaten in large volumes they can lead to internal damage such as damage to red blood cells, causing anaemia, organ failure, and even death.
Nuts – are generally not safe for your pets.
Risks:
- Nuts such as macadamia nuts, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts can be harmful or even toxic to pets, potentially leading to vomiting and diarrhoea, or even tremors, lethargy and fever. They are also high in fat and so risk causing pancreatitis, and are often salted risking salt poisoning if lots are eaten.
Milk and dairy – should not be offered to your pets.
Risks:
- Dairy such as cheese and cream can cause pancreatitis as it is rich and fatty, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea as most dogs and cats find it difficult to digest lactose.
Sweet treats – Keep out of reach.
Risks:
- Generally sweet treats, human desserts, chocolate, and candies are NOT safe for our feline or canine friends. Many contain ingredients like raisins, nuts, and artificial sweeteners such as xylitol which is highly toxic to our pets. Keep all our Christmas sweets and treats out of reach of our pets.
Alcohol / Caffeine – Keep up out of reach.
Risks:
- Alcohol and caffeine can cause significant liver and kidney damage as our pets have very little tolerance to these substances. Pick up all coffee mugs and keep glasses out of reach, our pups can be inquisitive and get themselves in trouble leading to illness.
Safe foods for your dog’s Christmas dinner
If you are worried your pet has gotten hold of something on the “naughty” list, contact your veterinary clinic immediately for advice. Your vet team will be working hard this Christmas season to make sure everyone can enjoy the festivities and stay safe, so if in doubt, give them a call.
Further reading:
- Might your dog have EPI?What’s the best Christmas present for a dog in 2024?
- What’s the best Christmas present for a dog in 2024?
- What is the best Christmas present for a rabbit in 2024?
- What’s the best Christmas present for a cat in 2024?
Discussion