What Christmas foods can dogs eat? - News + Articles

Dec 12, 2025

Keep the festive cheer flowing and the vet bills at bay with our guide to what Fang should absolutely not scoff this silly season.

Your dog is as much a part of the family as anyone else, and is certainly much easier to get along with than some of the relatives that’ll be showing up at your place this Christmas. So it’s only natural that you want to include your pooch in the day’s festivities. But while those soulful eyes staring at you with eternal hope from under the table might be hard to resist, there are some Christmas foods that you should never, ever feed to your dog.

This is for their own health and safety, and also for your own peace of mind. No one wants to have to make an emergency trip to the vet on Christmas Day. Sure, the chance to escape the rest of the family for a few hours may sound like some kind of belated holiday gift from a benevolent universe, but having to shell out a couple of grand in vet bills might bring a little less Yuletide joy. So if you need a break from the fam, take Killer for a walk after lunch. In the meantime, check our list of Christmas foods that you should never feed to your dog.

espresso chocolate truffles with honey and vanilla — If not for treats, why treat shaped?

Can dogs eat chocolate?

Definitely not. Dogs metabolise chocolate differently to humans. Chocolate contains caffeine and something called theobromine – together these are toxic to dogs, and can cause them to become seriously ill with anything from vomiting and irregular heartbeat to seizures or worse, depending on the darkness of the chocolate and the size of the dog. So no Darrell Lea for Captain Thunderpaws.

Can dogs eat Christmas pudding?

Definitely not. The kind of dried fruits that you find in Christmas cakes, mince pies and puddings – sultanas, raisins and currants – are toxic to dogs and can cause gut problems and damage their kidneys. Fresh grapes are also toxic to dogs, as are the seeds of stone fruits like cherries, peaches and plums. These seeds can also potentially become stuck in a dog’s throat, so be sure to dispose of them properly, and don’t just toss them in the garden, where Jimmy Chew can snaffle them up.

Can dogs eat onions?

Definitely not. All alliums – onion, garlic, leeks and chives – are toxic to dogs, and can cause damage to red blood cells, potentially causing a severe type of anaemia. It can take several days for symptoms to appear. Because many types of stuffing and some gravies contain alliums, it’s important you don’t share any stuffing or gravy with Winnie the Poodle.

dogs Christmas food — No matter what those eyes tell you, gingerbread is off limits.

Can dogs eat nutmeg?

This is not so much of a concern at most times of the year, as most of us only use a small amount of nutmeg when cooking. But at Christmas time, eggnog, gingerbread and other traditional festive treats are laced with it, so make sure you don’t share any with Anderson Pooper, as nutmeg is toxic to dogs, especially when consumed in large amounts, and can cause vomiting, tremors, an increased heart rate and seizures.

Can dogs have alcohol?

No. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning in dogs, especially smaller breeds. While you probably won’t be pouring Mr Meatball a glass of Champagne this Christmas, remember that things like rum balls and boozy Christmas puddings and trifles contain alcohol, so they’re off limits. Alcohol poisoning can cause vomiting, disorientation and breathing problems.

Can dogs eat Christmas ham?

This one is going to hurt. Sorry, Bark Ruffalo, but that Christmas ham is high in fat and salt, which can lead to dehydration and an upset stomach, and can also damage a dog’s kidneys and pancreas. Spices and seasonings used in the ham glaze can also upset a dog’s stomach. Other meats that are high in fat and salt, like roast pork with crackling, should also be off limits, as should chicken or turkey skin. Smaller breeds have an especially hard time dealing with fatty foods.

Can dogs eat macadamias?

Most people don’t realise that macadamias are poisonous to dogs, but they definitely are. They can cause weakness, shaking, vomiting and overheating. Be careful before sharing any slices or cakes with Droolius Caesar – check to make sure they don’t contain any macadamias first.

Christmas food dogs — The struggle is real.

Can dogs eat cooked bones?

While these are a very common table scrap that’s easy to toss to a patiently waiting canine, cooked bones of any kind are very dangerous for dogs as they can splinter easily and create a choking hazard, or even perforate the digestive tract, which would require emergency surgery. So give Sarah Jessica Barker a raw dog bone to gnaw on, or toss her a dog biscuit.

Can dogs eat avocado?

Avocados are best avoided, due to their high fat content, and the fact that they contain something called persin, which can cause vomiting and other stomach upsets in dogs if consumed in large amounts. However, if Indiana Bones only has a little avocado flesh, he should live to bark another day.

king prawns with yuzu — Be careful when sharing seafood with your dog.

Can dogs eat seafood?

This can be a safe option, but it depends on how the seafood was prepared, and what part of the fish or shellfish the dog eats. If the seafood has been cooked in a garlic butter sauce, for instance, you shouldn’t let Mary Puppins eat it due to the garlic being toxic and the high fat content of the butter. Small fish bones can be a choking hazard, and prawn shells can have sharp edges which can damage your dog’s oesophagus or intestinal wall. They can also cause bowel compactions, which will require surgical removal.

Alert your guests

Before sitting down to lunch or dinner, be sure to alert your guests to any foods you’re serving that shouldn’t be shared with Professor Biscuits, and be watchful with leftover table scraps. If you want to make sure that the family dog gets special attention on Christmas Day, be sure to stock up on plenty of dog-safe treats.

If you have any concerns at all about any foods your dog might have eaten, contact your local vet for advice.