The holiday foods to keep away from your dog or cat, safe Christmas treat swaps, and what to do if your pet eats something they shouldn't.
Quick answer: The Christmas foods dogs and cats can't eat include chocolate, anything sweetened with xylitol, grapes and raisins (think fruitcake and mince pies), onions and garlic in stuffing and gravy, macadamia nuts, cooked bones, fatty ham and turkey skin, alcohol and raw yeast dough. If your pet eats any of these, call your vet right away.
Christmas is a feast for the senses, and your pet knows it. The kitchen smells incredible for days, plates sit at nose height on the coffee table, and every guest seems to have a soft spot for those pleading eyes. Sharing is part of the season, but a lot of classic holiday food simply isn't safe for dogs and cats.
This guide walks through the most common Christmas foods to keep off your pet's plate, what a few safe "share" options look like, and a simple game plan for holiday meals. For the decorations side of things (trees, lights, tinsel and holiday plants), see our Christmas tree and holiday decoration safety guide.
The Christmas Foods Dogs and Cats Can't Eat
Here's a quick-reference table for the holiday spread. Keep in mind that how serious a problem is depends on the amount eaten and your pet's size, so when in doubt, call your vet rather than waiting to see what happens.
| Food | Where it hides at Christmas | Why it's a problem |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate and cocoa | Advent calendars, chocolate coins, yule log, hot cocoa, gifts under the tree | Contains theobromine and caffeine, which pets can't process well. Dark and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. |
| Xylitol (sometimes listed as "birch sugar") | Sugar-free candy and gum, some baked goods, some peanut butters, guests' handbags | Very dangerous for dogs even in small amounts; it can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver damage. |
| Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas | Fruitcake, mince pies, stollen, Christmas pudding, cheese boards | Linked to kidney injury in dogs, and there's no known "safe" amount. Keep them away from cats too. |
| Onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots | Stuffing, gravy, roast drippings, casseroles, party dips | Can damage red blood cells. Cats are especially sensitive, and cooked or powdered forms still count. |
| Macadamia nuts | Cookies, nut bowls, holiday baking | Can cause weakness, vomiting, tremors and fever in dogs. |
| Cooked bones | Turkey carcass, ham bone, rib roast, leftovers in the trash | Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, mouth injuries or blockages. |
| Fatty foods | Turkey skin, ham, bacon-wrapped bites, gravy, butter, pan drippings | Can trigger vomiting and diarrhea and may lead to pancreatitis, a painful condition that often needs veterinary care. |
| Alcohol | Eggnog, mulled wine, punch, rum-soaked cakes, half-finished glasses | Pets are far more sensitive to alcohol than people; even small amounts can be dangerous. |
| Raw yeast dough | Dinner rolls and bread rising on the counter | Expands in the stomach and produces alcohol as it ferments. |
| Caffeine | Coffee, tea, chocolate-covered espresso beans | Similar effects to chocolate: restlessness, racing heart and tremors. |
Sneaky Holiday Hazards People Forget
The obvious dangers are on the table. These ones are easier to miss:
- Wrapped gifts with food inside. A box of chocolates under the tree is easy for a dog to sniff out, wrapping paper and all. Keep edible gifts on a high shelf until they're opened.
- Roasting extras. Kitchen string, foil, skewers, toothpicks and plastic wrap all smell like the meat they touched, and all can cause blockages or injuries if swallowed.
- The trash can. After dinner, the bin is full of bones, fat trimmings and strings. Use a lidded can or take the trash out right away.
- Eggnog and cream for cats. Many adult cats don't digest lactose well, and eggnog often contains alcohol and nutmeg too. A saucer of milk isn't the treat it looks like in holiday cards.
- Rich desserts and spices. Pies, puddings and cookies are usually high in fat and sugar, and large amounts of nutmeg can upset pets. Pumpkin pie filling is not the same as plain pumpkin.
- Coffee table snacks. Nut bowls, chips with onion dip and cheese boards with grapes sit right at pet height during parties.
- Guests' bags and coats. Gum, mints and medication in a handbag left on the floor are a common, overlooked risk. Offer a closet or a bed for coats and bags.
What Your Pet Can Have: Safe Christmas Treat Ideas
You don't have to leave your pet out of the celebration. A few plain, simple foods are generally fine in small amounts for most healthy dogs and cats:
- Plain cooked turkey breast, boneless and skinless, with no seasoning, gravy or butter.
- Plain cooked carrots or green beans (for dogs), steamed or boiled with nothing added.
- Plain cooked sweet potato or plain canned pumpkin (not pie filling), a spoonful at most.
- Their own treats, saved up for a special Christmas "course" so they feel included.
A common rule of thumb from vets is to keep treats and extras to around 10% of your pet's daily food. If your pet has a medical condition, a sensitive stomach or a special diet, check with your vet before adding anything new. Sudden rich food is one of the most common reasons for a holiday tummy upset.
Better still, give them something to do instead of something to eat. A new toy can buy you a peaceful dinner: our handmade Christmas Santa Plush Dog Toy combines a squeaker, crinkle fabric and a rope handle for tugging, and for cats, the Christmas Tree Cat Scratching Post gives them a festive spot to stretch and scratch while the humans eat. Find more ideas in our best Christmas dog toys guide and our list of stocking stuffers for dogs and cats.
A Simple Game Plan for Christmas Dinner with Pets
- Feed your pet their normal meal first. A pet with a full belly is less likely to beg or counter-surf.
- Set one house rule and tell every guest. "Please don't feed the dog" is easier to follow than a list of exceptions. Kids especially love to share, so let them hand out a pre-approved treat instead.
- Keep plates and glasses up high. Coffee tables, low side tables and buffet edges are all within reach of a curious nose or paw.
- Give your pet a cozy spot of their own. A comfy bed in a quiet room keeps them relaxed and out from underfoot. The Christmas Reindeer Cave Bed is a semi-enclosed hideaway that shy cats and small dogs love, and the Cozy Christmas Pet Sofa Bed has raised sides and a removable, washable cover. Browse more in our Christmas pet beds guide.
- Clear up as you go. Bones, strings and leftovers go straight into a lidded bin or out of the house.
- Watch the front door. Guests coming and going make it easy for a pet to slip out. Make sure your pet wears a well-fitted collar with current ID. For a festive touch, the Personalized Red Gingham Bow Pet Bandana Collar comes with a free hand-stamped leather name tag.
What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something They Shouldn't
Accidents happen, even in the most careful homes. If you think your dog or cat has eaten something on the list above:
- Call your veterinarian or an emergency vet clinic right away. Don't wait for symptoms; with some foods, like xylitol and grapes, early treatment matters most.
- You can also contact a pet poison hotline such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline (a consultation fee may apply).
- Don't try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to. Home remedies can cause more harm.
- Have the details ready: what they ate, roughly how much, when, and your pet's weight. Keep the wrapper or packaging if you can.
- Know the warning signs: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, restlessness, trembling, wobbliness, a swollen or painful belly, or unusual tiredness are all reasons to call.
It's worth saving your vet's number and your nearest 24-hour emergency clinic in your phone before the holidays, since many regular clinics keep shorter hours over Christmas.
Plan a Safe, Cozy Christmas Early
Holiday safety is mostly about setting things up before the busy days arrive: a toy ready to hand out, a cozy bed in a quiet corner, and a collar with up-to-date ID. You'll find handmade beds, toys and festive accessories in the GraviPaw Christmas Collection.
A note for US shoppers: international shipping takes about two weeks, and carriers get busy over the holidays. We recommend ordering before early December so everything arrives in plenty of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat Christmas ham?
It's best not to. Ham is very salty and fatty, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea and may contribute to pancreatitis. Ham bones are also a splintering and blockage risk. Offer a little plain, skinless turkey breast instead.
Can dogs eat turkey at Christmas?
A small amount of plain, cooked, boneless and skinless turkey breast is generally fine for most healthy dogs. Skip the skin, gravy, stuffing and bones, which are fatty, may contain onion or garlic, or can splinter.
Is fruitcake or a mince pie dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Fruitcake, mince pies, stollen and Christmas pudding usually contain raisins, currants or sultanas, which are linked to kidney injury in dogs, and some contain alcohol or nuts too. Call your vet if your dog eats any.
Can cats drink eggnog or milk?
No. Many adult cats don't digest lactose well, and eggnog often contains alcohol, sugar and nutmeg. Fresh water is the best drink for cats; ask your vet if you'd like a cat-safe treat.
How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?
It depends on the type of chocolate and the size of your dog. Dark and baking chocolate are much more dangerous than milk chocolate. Because it's hard to judge at home, call your vet or a pet poison hotline as soon as you know your dog ate chocolate.
Can dogs eat stuffing or gravy?
No. Stuffing and gravy usually contain onions, garlic or other alliums, which can damage red blood cells, plus a lot of fat and salt. Keep them off your pet's plate.
What are safe Christmas treats for dogs and cats?
Plain cooked turkey breast, a few plain cooked carrots or green beans (for dogs), a spoonful of plain pumpkin, or your pet's usual treats. Keep extras small, and give a new toy for some festive fun without the tummy upset.
