For a lot of families, ham shows up next to the turkey on Thanksgiving and takes center stage at Christmas. Your dog will notice. The short answer: ham isn’t toxic, but it’s not a good treat, and the bone is a hard no.
Ham is salty and fatty
Ham is cured, so it carries a lot of salt. A big helping can leave a dog very thirsty, and a lot of salt at once can make a dog sick. Ham is also fatty, especially the edges and the skin. A sudden load of rich, fatty food is a common trigger for an upset stomach in dogs, and in some dogs it can lead to pancreatitis, which is painful and often means a vet visit. Small dogs and dogs who’ve had stomach trouble before are at higher risk.
Watch the glaze
Holiday ham is often coated in a sugary glaze, and some glazes and rubs include garlic, onion, or raisins. Garlic and onions are not safe for dogs, and grapes and raisins can be dangerous even in small amounts. If you didn’t make the glaze, assume it has something your dog shouldn’t eat.
Ham bones: never
Cooked ham bones can splinter, and big chunks can get stuck. Sharp pieces can hurt the mouth, get lodged in the throat, or cause blockages and injuries farther down. Don’t hand over the bone after dinner, and take it straight out to the outside trash with the lid closed.
What’s safer
If your dog gets one tiny, plain bite of lean ham with the fat and glaze trimmed off, most healthy dogs will be fine. It’s still not a great choice. A few bites of plain, cooked white turkey meat (no skin, no bones, no seasoning) or a piece of your dog’s regular treat is the better pick. If your dog has a health condition or a special diet, ask your vet first.
Holiday foods to keep off the plate entirely
- Grapes and raisins, including stuffing, glazes, or desserts with raisins in them.
- Onions and garlic, which are in most stuffing, gravy, and seasoned dishes.
- Xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free desserts, gum, and peanut butter.
- Chocolate, especially dark and baking chocolate.
- Fatty scraps and gravy, for the same reason as the ham fat.
Tell guests and kids the rule before dinner starts. Most holiday stomach trouble comes from five people each sneaking “just one bite.”
If your dog gets into something
Call your vet or an emergency vet right away if your dog ate a ham bone, something on the list above, or a big pile of ham or fatty food, or if you see vomiting, diarrhea, a swollen or painful belly, extreme thirst, or a dog who won’t eat. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply).
Keep everyday food safe too
The holidays are a good time to check the food your dog eats every day. Our free 60-second Dog Food Safety Check shows you how to find the lot code on your bag and check it against recalls.
Take the free Dog Food Safety Check
This article is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog seems unwell, call your veterinarian.