What Not to Feed Your Dog at Christmas Dinner
Updated: 4 days ago
Christmas dinner is a busy kitchen, full plates and a lot of very good smells. Dogs are experts at being under the table the moment a roast potato drops, and at convincing every guest they haven't eaten for days. It's lovely to want to share the celebration. But many classic Christmas dishes aren't safe for dogs, and some are genuinely dangerous. I'd pop your dog on their bed or in their pen with a good chew before everyone sits down, so nobody's tempted. Here's what to keep off your dog's plate and why, what they can have instead and what to do if they sneak something they shouldn't.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Don't feed your dog stuffing, gravy, bread sauce or anything with onion, garlic or leeks, as these are toxic to dogs. Keep cooked bones, turkey skin and fatty meat away, as bones splinter and fat can trigger pancreatitis. Christmas pudding, mince pies, stollen and anything with grapes, raisins or sultanas can cause kidney failure. Chocolate, sugar-free sweets with xylitol, macadamia nuts and alcohol are dangerous too. Roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, buttery vegetables, cream and rich leftovers often cause upset stomachs. If you want to share, give a small piece of plain turkey breast with no skin, bones or seasoning, or some plain cooked carrot. If your dog eats something toxic, ring your vet straight away, even if they seem fine.
Why Christmas food is risky
Christmas meals are richer, saltier and fattier than everyday food. Dogs don't digest food the way we do, and even a small amount of the wrong thing can upset their stomach.
Some foods are toxic in their own right. Others become unsafe because of what's added during cooking. Plain carrot is fine, but carrot roasted in honey and butter isn't. Knowing which is which makes the day much easier to manage, and makes it easier to explain to guests why your dog can't have a taste.
Turkey and meat
Plain cooked turkey breast, with no skin and no seasoning, is safe for most dogs in small amounts. The problems come with the extras.
Turkey skin is very fatty, and too much fat in one go can cause stomach pain or pancreatitis, which may need a vet visit. Many turkeys are cooked with garlic, onion or butter, so if it's heavily seasoned, skip it. Cooked bones are one of the biggest dangers on the table. They splinter and can get stuck in the throat, stomach or gut. Put all bones and carcasses straight into a bin your dog can't open.
Stuffing, gravy and sauces
Almost all stuffing contains onion, garlic or both. These damage a dog's red blood cells, and some stuffing also has dried fruit or strong herbs.
Bread sauce often contains onion too. Gravy is the biggest temptation, as it smells amazing to a dog. Most gravy is very salty and fatty, and many contain onion or stock cubes. Keep the gravy boat well out of reach, and don't pour any over your dog's dinner.
Vegetables
Onions, garlic and leeks are the ones to avoid completely. They turn up in sauces, sides and mixed vegetables, so check before you share anything.
Carrots, parsnips, green beans and sprouts are fine for dogs when plain. The trouble is, Christmas vegetables are rarely plain. They're often roasted in oil, glazed with honey or cooked with butter, bacon or chestnuts. If you want to share, set a few plain steamed pieces aside before the extras go on. Sprouts may also give your dog wind.
Potatoes and Yorkshire puddings
Roast potatoes are delicious because they're soaked in fat, and that's exactly why they don't suit dogs. Even one can upset a sensitive stomach.
Mash is often full of butter, cream, salt and sometimes garlic. Yorkshire puddings are fatty, salty and add nothing useful to your dog's diet. It's best to say no to both.
Grapes, raisins and sultanas
This is one of the most important ones. Grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can cause kidney failure in dogs, and there's no known safe amount.
They're in Christmas pudding, mince pies, Christmas cake, stollen, fruit loaf and some sauces and stuffings. Even a few can be enough for some dogs. Keep all of these well out of reach, and clear up crumbs straight away. If your dog eats any, ring your vet, even if they seem fine.
Chocolate and sweets
Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs process very slowly. Dark and cooking chocolate are the most dangerous, but all chocolate carries a risk.
Selection boxes left on low tables and chocolate coins in foil are a common problem at Christmas, and foil can cause blockages too. Toffee, fudge and nougat aren't toxic in the same way, but the sugar and fat can still make a dog ill. Sugar-free sweets and some peanut butters may contain xylitol, which is dangerous even in tiny amounts. Read advent calendars for dogs.
Drinks, cream and desserts
Dogs should never have alcohol. Even a small amount from a spilled glass or mulled wine can make them drowsy, wobbly and sick. Keep drinks off low tables and mop up spills quickly.
Cream liqueurs smell sweet, so they're especially tempting. Cream, custard, brandy butter and trifle are too fatty and sugary, and some contain alcohol. None of them should be shared, even as a lick.
Nuts and snack bowls
Christmas nuts are usually salted, roasted or flavoured, which makes them unsuitable. Macadamia nuts are the most dangerous and can cause weakness, tremors and stiffness.
Crisps, crackers and other party snacks are very salty. Keep snack bowls away from table edges and coffee tables, where a nose can easily reach.
What your dog can have
If you want your dog to feel included, plan their treat before the meal. Set aside a small portion of safe food before the seasoning goes on. A few options:
a small piece of plain turkey breast with no skin, bones or seasoning
a few pieces of plain cooked carrot, parsnip or green beans
a little plain boiled potato with nothing added
a stuffed food toy or a long-lasting chew to enjoy while you eat
Keep the portion small, and cut back a little on your dog's normal food that day. Read festive dog treat recipes.
Keeping your dog safe at the table
A plan for where your dog will be during the meal makes everything easier. Set up their bed nearby but not under the table, and give them a chew or puzzle toy to keep them busy.
Ask guests not to feed your dog from their plates, and give them a clear reason. Guests are usually happy to help once they know. Keep bin bags outside or in a closed cupboard, and pick up dropped food straight away. Read how to create a safe and comfortable Christmas for your dog.
If your dog eats something they shouldn't
Try not to panic. Work out what they ate, roughly how much and when, and check the ingredients for anything dangerous like raisins, chocolate, onion or xylitol.
Ring your vet or the nearest emergency vet straight away, even if your dog seems fine. Many poisons take hours to show, and acting early makes a real difference. Don't try to make your dog sick at home unless a vet tells you to. Save your vet's out-of-hours number in your phone before Christmas Day.
RENEE'S TIP
Before dinner goes on the table, put your dog's own Christmas plate in a stuffed food toy, using plain turkey and a few plain vegetables. Give it to them on their bed as you all sit down. They get their own festive meal, and they're busy while yours is served.
QUICK CHECK
ā No stuffing, gravy, onion, garlic or leeks
ā No cooked bones, turkey skin or fatty meat
ā No Christmas pudding, mince pies or anything with raisins
ā No chocolate, xylitol, macadamia nuts or alcohol
ā Share only plain turkey breast and plain vegetables
FREE DOWNLOAD FROM RENEE
Christmas with Your Dog
A free guide with the Christmas dangers to know about, a plan for the busy days and who to ring if your dog needs a vet on Christmas Day.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with a dog who steals food
If your dog counter-surfs, begs at the table or grabs food from plates, I can help you build a calm plan with a strong "leave it" in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
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FAQs
Can dogs eat Christmas turkey?
Plain turkey breast with no skin, bones or seasoning is fine in small amounts.
Can dogs eat stuffing or gravy?
No. Most stuffing and gravy contain onion or garlic, which are toxic to dogs, and gravy is very salty.
Can dogs eat Christmas pudding or mince pies?
No. They contain raisins and sultanas, which can cause kidney failure in dogs.
Can dogs eat roast potatoes?
It's best not to. They're cooked in a lot of fat, which can upset your dog's stomach.
What should I do if my dog eats something toxic at Christmas?
Ring your vet straight away, even if your dog seems fine. Don't make them sick unless told to.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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