What should you not give your dog for Christmas? Essential Tips

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What Christmas Dinner Items Are Bad For Dogs?

Dr. Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian for Cooper Pet Care, told Newsweek that when talking about Christmas foods that are or are not safe for dogs, its good to split the foods into three categories:

  • Foods that are toxic/dangerous and should absolutely not be fed at all
  • Foods that are certainly not healthy, but if fed in small quantities wont hurt
  • Safe foods, which can be fed in larger amounts if the dog likes it, of course, using common sense with how much to feed.

    • We all indulge over the holidays, and it can be tempting to give our pets an extra treat or two, but be careful what you feed your dog, as many of our leftovers can be dangerous for them.

    Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. Thats because it contains a toxin called theobromine that dogs cannot metabolize as well as people can, which makes them more sensitive to the chemicals effects.

    Baking chocolate and gourmet dark chocolate are highly concentrated and contain 130-450 mg of theobromine per ounce. Common milk chocolate contains about 44-58 mg/ounce, and white chocolate rarely poses any threat of chocolate poisoning with only 0.25 mg of theobromine per ounce of chocolate.

    To put this in perspective, a medium-sized dog weighing 50 pounds would only need to eat one ounce of bakers chocolate, or nine ounces of milk chocolate, to potentially show signs of poisoning.

    Christmas Foods That Are Bad for Dogs

    Saying no when your pet wants a piece of your plate doesnt make you a Grinch—especially when these toxic foods are involved.

    Keep the hot chocolate, advent calendar chocolates, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate yule logs, and chocolate peppermint bark out of your pups paws. Chocolate contains chemicals called methylxanthines that can cause cardiovascular and neurological problems in dogs. Instead, try one of these dog-friendly advent calendar options.

    This isnt a festive drink for your pup, as many canines can actually be allergic to dairy products. Plus many eggnog varieties are quite fattening.

    Under no circumstances can your dog have peppermint candy or other treats. While a couple fresh peppermint leaves are fine on occasion (like in these tasty breath mint treats), candies often contain xylitol, plus the cellophane wrapping could cause intestinal blockage.

    While its certainly OK to make some dog-friendly holiday cookies with your favorite four-pawed elf, human gingerbread treats are on the naughty list. Most recipes call for nutmeg, which the Pet Poison Hotline indicates can be toxic for dogs.

    Macadamia nuts (also called Australia nuts and Queensland nuts) are another no-no. While the source of their toxicity isnt known, the ASPCA says they can cause lethargy, weakness, vomiting, and tremors.

    Both raw and cooked onions are dangerous for dogs because they have sulfur-containing oxides that destroy their red blood cells.

    Garlic and onions are from the same family and can cause the same problems in dogs—only garlic is even more potent. Any foods made with fresh garlic and garlic powder are off-limits to pups.

    Mashed potatoes are often packed with butter and spices like garlic, chives, scallions, and leeks which contain a chemical called thiosulfate and can be toxic for dogs. Its also important to be cautious when prepping this holiday staple because raw potatoes contain a compound called solanine thats also toxic. A small serving of cooked mashed potatoes is fine as long as its unseasoned and unbuttered, so make pup his own little bit before whipping up the big dinner batch.

    Grapes and raisins are sweet snacks that are better left on your plate. The cause of their toxicity is still a mystery, but the effects are not. In some dogs, it can lead to kidney failure.

    It probably wont come as a surprise that beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages arent appropriate picks for wetting your pets whistle. Even a sip can cause alcohol poisoning in some dogs.

    Xylitol is a popular sweetener that can be found in sugar-free foods like peanut butter, ice cream, and jam. Always read the label before you offer your pet any packaged foods because xylitol can lead to liver damage in large quantities.

    If your dog gets into any of the above foods, please call one of the following as soon as possible:

  • Your pets veterinarian
  • Your local emergency veterinary facility
  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435
  • Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 (incident fee applies)

    • Holiday Human Foods Dogs Can Have

    Although dogs can’t have onions and the other items mentioned above, there are plenty of holiday foods they can eat.

  • Turkey: Yes, dogs can eat turkey. They can have chicken, too. Give your dog white meat, free of any salt or other seasonings. Don’t give them the skin or bones, though. The bones may sound like a safe and fun treat, but they can do real damage.
  • Green Beans: If you think green beans will make a good dog treat, you’re right. You can feed Spot raw, steamed or canned green beans. Just make sure they’re plain and free of any oil, spices or seasonings, such as salt. Other green vegetables like broccoli and spinach are also safe for dogs, but may cause gas.
  • Carrots: Not only can dogs eat carrots, but most also love the crunch and the flavor. Although dogs can eat raw carrots, you can also try giving your dog cooked varieties. The green tops are also edible.
  • Cranberries: There are several fruits and berries your dog can eat throughout the year. Cranberries are popular in holiday dishes and you can share them with your dog. He may not like the tart flavor, though. Keep sugary cranberry sauces, relishes and similar dishes out of reach.
  • White Potatoes: Yes, dogs can eat mashed potatoes, but they can’t have the salt, pepper, garlic, milk, butter and other ingredients added to them. The skin isn’t good for them either, so peel the potatoes before cooking and mashing if you plan to feed some to your dog.
  • Sweet Potatoes: Dogs can also eat cooked and mashed sweet potatoes, but the same advice stands. Keep them plain—make sure he doesn’t get his paws on the yams covered in marshmallows and sugar.
  • Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a tasty, healthy treat for dogs and many love the flavor. When feeding your dog canned pumpkin, read the label carefully. You want to avoid giving him canned pumpkin pie mix, which contains sugar and spices he can’t have.

    • Although dogs can eat the above human foods, remember treats of any kind (people food or regular dog treats) should only make up 10 percent of their daily caloric intake. The other 90 percent should come from a complete and balanced dog food.

    Don’t overwhelm your dog with a bunch of new foods, either. Even though foods like turkey and carrots are safe, too many new things at once could result in an upset stomach.

    If your dog loves getting holiday ingredients like carrots and sweet potatoes as a treat, try feeding him a dog food that incorporates some of his favorite flavors into his everyday diet. Explore all our dry dog food products to find one your pup will love.

    8 Tips to Dog-Proof Your Christmas Tree | Proud Dog Mom

    The holidays are a time to celebrate with family, friends and lots of delicious food. Some of the ingredients in your favorite holiday meals are safe for dogs to eat, but others pose a threat.

    Whether you’re wondering “Can dogs eat turkey?” or “Are cranberries bad for dogs?” our experts have you covered. They explain exactly which human foods your dog can eat and how to feed them to him.