Christmas is a time for sharing mouth-watering and delicious festive foods with friends and family. Although your dog may be high up on your list of loved ones, sharing certain human foods with them can make your dog very ill and could even be fatal.
It is important to know what foods to keep away from your dog.
Christmas foods not to give dogs
A number of popular foods commonly eaten at Christmas can be harmful to your dog. These include:
- Chocolate
Over the Christmas period make sure that all chocolate is out of the reach of your dog. This includes: Chocolate coins on your Christmas tree, Advent calendars, Boxes of chocolate put out on Christmas day, Wrapped chocolatey presents under your Christmas tree (just because it’s wrapped, doesn't mean your dog can't smell it!)
Although chocolate wrappers are not poisonous, they can cause an obstruction if eaten. This can be very dangerous and may require surgical intervention. Signs of an obstruction may include vomiting, lethargy, your dog being off their food, not going for a poo, or finding it difficult to have a poo.
- Christmas cake, mince pies and Christmas pudding
All of these festive treats contain dried grapes in the form of raisins, currants or sultanas. Grapes, and all the dried versions of them, are known to be toxic to dogs. In fact, it’s believed that these dried fruits are more toxic than fresh grapes themselves.
Other Christmassy dried fruit dangers: Stollen, Chocolate covered raisins, Fruit cake
Call your vet as soon as possible if your dog eats any amount of grapes, or the dried versions of them (raisins, sultanas or currants). Even small amounts can sometimes be harmful to dogs.
- Sage and onion stuffing
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives all belong to the allium family and can be found in most types of Christmas stuffing. These plants all contain a substance which can damage a dog’s red blood cells and can cause life-threatening anaemia.
Signs may not show for a few days, but can include being sick, having diarrhoea or abdominal pain and they may appear sleepy, dull, weak, off their food and sometimes they may have rapid breathing. At Christmas, ensure that your dog is kept away from sage and onion stuffing, onion-based gravy or any other allium-based foods.
Foods such as certain nuts, blue cheese, fatty and salty foods.
At Christmas keep an extra close eye on your dog. Make sure they don’t sneak any of the foods they shouldn’t be eating and remember to keep all dangerous food out of paws reach.
If you’re giving your dog some of your food, even if it’s ‘safe’, only give them a small amount. Unfamiliar foods can still cause an upset stomach or excessive and uncomfortable wind.
If you give any treats make sure to reduce their meal to help balance their daily calories.
Looking for a special gift for your furry friend. Why not read our guide to the best gifts for your dog here: Top 25 gifts for your dog - Forever Puppy