29/11/2025
๐ Christmas Foods Dogs Commonly Get Exposed To โ But Shouldnโ
The festive season brings indulgent meals, festive treats, and a house full of tempting smells โ and our dogs are never far behind the action. But Christmas foods can be surprisingly risky for dogs, from toxic ingredients to items that trigger serious skin flare-ups.
Hereโs what dog owners should keep out of reach this Christmas:
โธป
โ Highly Dangerous Christmas Foods
Even small amounts can be toxic. Keep these completely off-limits:
Christmas pudding, mince pies & fruit cake
Contain raisins, sultanas, alcohol & spices โ all toxic to dogs
Chocolate (including advent calendars & selection boxes)
Contains theobromine โ can cause seizures, heart issues, even death
Onions, leeks, shallots & garlic (in stuffing, gravy & seasoning)
Damage red blood cells โ often eaten accidentally
Alcohol & foods cooked with alcohol
Can depress the nervous system and cause dangerous drops in blood sugar
Blue cheese & mould-ripened cheeses
Contains roquefortine C โ toxic to dogs
Macadamia nuts, nut mixes, chocolate-covered nuts Macadamias are toxic โ others may cause blockages or pancreatiti
๐ฆด Foods That Can Cause Choking, Blockages or Injury
Often picked from bins, platters or dropped at the table:
Cooked bones (turkey, chicken, lamb, pork) โ splinter risk
Skewers, cocktail sticks, cracker prizes โ sharp and dangerous
Turkey or ham skin, fatty scraps โ commonly trigger pancreatitis
Stuffing balls & pigs in blankets โ high fat + onion/garlic content
๐ฅ Foods That Commonly Trigger Skin Allergies & Itchy Flare-Ups
Dogs with sensitive skin or allergies can react badly to ingredients common in Christmas meals:
Turkey or chicken with gravy (fat + wheat + seasonings)
Dairy-heavy foods โ cheese, Yorkshire puds, custard, cream desserts
Wheat-based treats, pastry, crackers, stuffing
Cured meats like ham or pigs in blankets (high salt, fat + preservatives)
Leftovers with butter, oils or rich sauces
Nuts & nut butters (especially flavoured ones)
Skin reactions can appear as red patches, paw-licking, hot spots, ear irritation or general itchiness.
๐ Christmas Hazards
Festive favourites dogs often steal without owners noticing:
โข Selection box wrappers & foil
โข Cheese boards left unattended
โข Grazing boards with grapes
โข Stockings filled with sweets
โข Bin bags after Christmas dinner
If it smells like food, a dog will find a way.
๐ถ Safe Festive Alternatives
Keep dogs included without the vet bill:
โ Plain cooked turkey (no skin, no seasoning)
โ Carrot sticks, broccoli, green beans
โ Small piece of plain potato or sweet potato
โ Dog-safe Christmas treats or puzzle toy snacks
A calm dog is a safe dog โ enrichment toys, slow feeders and long-lasting chews help reduce opportunistic scavenging.
Bottom Line
Christmas is full of food that looks harmless to us but can make dogs seriously ill or itchy for weeks. A little awareness helps keep your dog healthy throughout the holidays โ and avoids emergency vet visits on Boxing Day.
If in doubt, assume itโs not dog-friendly and stick to safe alternatives.
A happy Christmas is one shared safely. ๐พโค๏ธ
