Christmas means cookie trays, candy dishes, big dinners, and guests who don’t know your dog’s rules. It’s also a busy time of year for emergency vets. Most of those visits come from a short list of foods. Here’s what to keep out of reach.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which dogs can’t handle well. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous, and milk chocolate is still a problem in larger amounts. Watch the stockings, the candy dish on the coffee table, and wrapped chocolate under the tree. Dogs can smell it through the paper.
Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins can cause kidney damage in dogs, and there’s no known safe amount. That includes fruitcake, raisin bread, stuffing with raisins, mince pies, and trail mix.
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in some sugar-free candy, gum, baked goods, and even some peanut butter. In dogs it can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar. Check labels, and keep guests’ purses and coat pockets off the floor.
Onions and garlic
Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives can damage a dog’s red blood cells. They show up in stuffing, gravy, casseroles, and most seasoned meat. Cooked or powdered forms count too.
Fatty scraps, ham, and bones
Ham, turkey skin, gravy, and meat trimmings are rich and fatty, and a sudden load of fat can upset a dog’s stomach or lead to pancreatitis in some dogs. Cooked bones can splinter. We cover this in more detail in Can Dogs Eat Ham? and Can Dogs Eat Turkey Skin and Bones?
Other things to watch
- Macadamia nuts, often in cookies and holiday tins.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough, including eggnog and rising bread dough.
- Coffee and caffeine, including chocolate-covered espresso beans.
A simple plan for the day
- Tell guests and kids the rule before dinner: no feeding the dog.
- Keep candy and cookie plates up high, not on the coffee table.
- Take the trash out right after dinner, with the lid closed.
- Give your dog a safe chew or his own treat so he has something to do.
If your dog gets into something
Call your vet or an emergency vet right away. Have the package handy so you can say what and how much was eaten. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). Don’t wait for symptoms with chocolate, grapes, raisins, or xylitol.
Check the everyday food too
While you’re thinking about what goes in the bowl, take our free 60-second Dog Food Safety Check. It 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.