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Questions
- What Not to Feed Dogs at Christmas
- Christmas Chocolates
- Can Dogs Eat Christmas Cake?
- Can Dogs Eat a Roast Dinner?
- Stuffing is Out of the Question
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
- Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
- Are Pigs in Blankets Safe for Dogs?
- Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
- Which Vegetables can Dogs Eat?
- Is Gravy Safe for Dogs?
- Can Dogs Have Cranberry Sauce?
When it comes to the big day, the star of the show is undoubtedly the Christmas dinner - some might say it’s the highlight of the year. From eating chocolate for breakfast, to piling one too many roast potatoes onto your plate during the big feast - anything goes on the day. Well, almost anything.
As lovely as it is to share some delicious foods with your loved ones, it’s important to know what you can let your canine friend in on, as there are lots of Christmas foods toxic to dogs.
So, whether you’re a family of turkey lovers, or prefer a nut roast - you need to be aware of the Christmas foods not to feed dogs to avoid a yuletide trip to the vet.
What Not to Feed Dogs at Christmas
According to research carried out by The Kennel Club in 2021, dogs are 75 percent more likely to have to take a trip to the vets due to consuming food they shouldn’t in December than any other month in the year.
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So as tempting as it may be to share a treat or two with your pooch when they give you those puppy dog eyes, it’s important to know which Christmas foods dogs can’t eat so you don’t risk having a poorly pup over the festive season.
Christmas Chocolates
It’s well-known that chocolate is toxic to our beloved canines, as it contains a chemical called ‘theobromine’ that dogs are unable to metabolise.
Whilst it goes without saying that you need to avoid feeding chocolate to your pup all year round, the festive period may require some extra vigilance. With all of those boxes of sweet treats lying around the house, it’s important to ensure they’re out of paw’s reach!
Additionally, as tasty as they may be, you should avoid hanging any chocolate decorations on your tree, as your pooch may just be tempted to help themselves to a treat or two - regular baubles are a much safer option.
Can Dogs Eat Christmas Cake?
Love them or hate them, Christmas cake and pudding are a staple on many dining tables over the festive period, but you won’t be able to get away with secretly getting rid of your helping by feeding your pooch under the table.
Not only are these desserts high in fat, spices and alcohol, which may upset your pet’s digestive system, but they are full to the brim with currants, raisins and sultanas - all of which are toxic to dogs. If eaten, these dried fruits can cause gut issues and - in serious cases - lead to kidney failure.
Symptoms of raisin poisoning in dogs include:
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Blood in stools
Low energy
Reduced appetite
However, if your dog has a nibble of your Christmas pudding whilst your back is turned, it’s best to contact your vet immediately, rather than waiting for symptoms to show, as this will reduce the chance of a serious reaction.
Can Dogs Eat a Roast Dinner?
Chocolate and cake aside, you might be wondering if you can serve up a special Christmas dinner to your pooch on the big day. Whilst your pup will absolutely lap up some elements of a festive roast, others should be left off their plate, but which parts are safe for dogs?
Stuffing is Out of the Question
You may be surprised to find out that a 2021 survey found that Brits believe stuffing is the most important part of Christmas dinner, with 23 percent of those surveyed voting in favour of the dish.
However, your pooch is unlikely to agree! Filled with onions, garlic, leeks, chives and seasonings, stuffing should never be fed to your dog, as all of these ingredients can cause anaemia and make them really poorly. But if you ever needed an excuse to go in for seconds, that would be it.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey?
According to a YouGov survey, 54% of Brits opt for turkey as the main meat option of their Christmas dinner and the good news is that your pup can join in too!
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You can feed small amounts of boneless, skinless white meat to your pooch as a little treat on Christmas Day. But if you don’t have enough to go round, then turkey can be found as an ingredient in plenty of dog foods too - the JR Pet Products Pure Turkey Pate is sure to get your dog’s tail wagging.
Can Dogs Eat Turkey Bones?
You should definitely avoid feeding turkey bones to your pup, as they can easily splinter, which could pose a choking hazard, or even cause internal damage.
Instead, treat your canine companion to a safe turkey-flavoured treats like the Wagg Turkey Stuffing Dog Treats - it’s sure to make their Christmas!
Are Pigs in Blankets Safe for Dogs?
According to a 2022 Tesco Christmas Report, Brits are planning to eat more pigs in blankets than ever before, with the average person eating five over the Christmas period, compared to just three in 2018. Additionally, 10% of the nation reportedly believe they will consume over 10! But should we be letting our dogs in on the action?
Meaty, delicious and no bones in sight - you might think that pigs in blankets make an excellent treat for dogs. However, the salt and fat content is far too high for them and could cause digestive issues, so it’s best to avoid sharing them.
That doesn’t mean they should miss out altogether, though - you can treat them to their very own Good Boy Succulent Pigs in Blankets, made specifically for our canine friends.
Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
Ah, the humble potato - no Christmas dinner would be complete without it, and the good news is that your pooch can join in on the carb loading too!
However, it is important to note that you should only feed your pup plain potatoes with nothing else added, so make sure you put a portion aside before you go adding salt, butter or fat to yours! Additionally, although they’re safe, some pups may struggle to digest potatoes due to the high starch content, so feed them in moderation.
Which Vegetables can Dogs Eat?
Probably the only micronutrients you’ll consume on Christmas Day, vegetables are an essential accompaniment to any festive feast. Carrots, Brussels sprouts and parsnips are apparently some of the most popular options for the big day, but are they dog-safe?
Unseasoned carrots, sprouts and parsnips are all safe for your pooch to consume, so they can enjoy them as part of their very own doggy Christmas dinner.
Is Gravy Safe for Dogs?
As delicious as it is, gravy isn’t a safe Christmas food option for your pooch, as the salt content is a little too high and often contains garlic and onions, which could cause a few digestive problems, such as sickness and diarrhoea.
If you don’t want your fluffy friend to miss out on the Christmas dinner staple, then opt for a dog-safe option, such as the Pedigree Biscrok Gravy Bones or the Royal Canin Wet Dog Food in Gravy - both will satisfy your pup’s saucy cravings, without upsetting their stomach!
Can Dogs Have Cranberry Sauce?
You might be surprised to learn that unsweetened cranberry sauce is safe to feed to your pup - in small quantities, of course. So add a couple of teaspoons to their potatoes, turkey and veg for a delicious festive meal.
But if a few teaspoons isn’t enough to satisfy your pooch, then they’ll love the Goodboy Superlicious, Chicken with Apple & Cranberry Sticks Dog Treats! Delicious, nutritious and easy for dogs to digest, but they're made with over 60% natural chicken too!
Whether you give them their very own doggy Christmas dinner to keep them quiet whilst you enjoy yours, or treat them to some festive culinary delights from some of our leading brands - they’re sure to enjoy their yuletide feast just as much as you do! But it's not just Christmas foods that can be harmful - check out which foods can be toxic for your dog to keep them safe all year round.
Explore our Christmas range to find the perfect treats, foods and presents for your dog today!