What Holiday Leftovers Should NOT End Up in the Dog Bowl
During the holidays, food is plentiful, and so are leftovers. You may be tempted to share some with your dog. While that’s a nice thought, you should also be aware that not every food on the dining table is dog-friendly. Some holiday foods can harm dogs even in tiny amounts, and a few can cause emergencies within hours.
In this guide, we’ll share which foods you should avoid giving your dog from the holiday table and offer a few plant-based alternatives that are dog-friendly.
Holiday Foods or Leftovers That Are Toxic or Dangerous to Dogs
Before you share leftovers with your dog, make sure to avoid giving them anything from the list below:
Cooked Bones
Cooked bones become brittle and pose a splintering risk when your dog chews on them. These splinters can cause choking hazards, puncture your dog’s stomach or intestines, or cause life-threatening blockages.
Grapes and Raisins
Often hidden in holiday dishes, grapes or raisins can trigger acute kidney failure in dogs, sometimes with only a small amount.
Onions, Garlic, Chives, and Leeks
Cooked or raw, onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are dangerous for dogs. As members of the allium family, they contain compounds that break down a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Symptoms may take days to show up, but can include weakness, pale gums, rapid breathing, and collapse.
Alcohol
Keep that holiday drink out of your dog’s reach. Dogs absorb alcohol faster than humans do, and even small amounts can lead to vomiting, disorientation, tremors, low blood sugar, breathing problems, or even a coma.
Chocolate
A favorite of holiday desserts, chocolate is dangerous to dogs, given that it contains theobromine and caffeine. These are stimulants that dogs can’t metabolize well, leading to restlessness, rapid heart rate, seizures, or cardiac arrest. Instead of chocolate, consider safer alternatives, such as carob or approved fruits.
Xylitol
Found in sugar-free goods, xylitol causes a dog’s pancreas to release a sudden surge of insulin that drops their blood sugar, leading to seizures and collapse. Large amounts can even cause rapid liver failure.
Raw Yeast Dough
If you’re baking, avoid giving your dog raw dough with yeast. The yeast continues to rise inside their stomach, which can cause painful bloating and pressure on nearby organs. Fermentation also produces alcohol, which we mentioned above as being toxic to dogs.
Macadamia Nuts and Walnuts
Though a festive addition to many dishes, macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, fever, shaking, and hind-leg weakness. Some walnuts, especially those with mold,, also contain fungi that produce toxins, which can trigger seizures in dogs.
High-Fat and High-Sodium Foods to Avoid for Dogs
Many of the tastiest items on your holiday menu can be hazardous to dogs, particularly those with high fat or sodium content.
Turkey Skin Drippings
Turkey skin, drippings, and fatty scraps are hard for dogs to digest. The high fat content can overwhelm their pancreas and trigger pancreatitis. The results can include vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and even require hospitalization.
Ham and Bacon
Too much sodium, which ham and bacon have a lot of, can cause dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and even salt poisoning in dogs. The fat can also irritate their digestive systems and increase the risk of pancreatitis. Even processed meats may contain preservatives or seasonings that are unsafe for dogs.
Gravy
Gravy may enhance your meal, but most gravies are also high in fat, heavily salted, and commonly seasoned with onion or garlic powder. The seasonings can damage a dog’s red blood cells, while the salt and fat can upset their stomach and raise the risk of pancreatitis.
Mashed Potatoes
Plain, cooked potatoes are perfectly safe for dogs, but holiday-style mashed potatoes often contain butter, cream, milk, salt, garlic, or onion powder. These ingredients can upset a dog's digestive system, cause lactose-related diarrhea, or, in the case of garlic and onion, harm your dog’s red blood cells.
Other Dangerous Holiday Leftovers for Dogs
We’ve covered the main ingredients of holiday meals that are dangerous for dogs, but here are some others you should be aware of.
Stuffing and Casseroles
Stuffings and casseroles often contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as onions, garlic, leeks, or chives. These can damage a dog’s red blood cells and lead to anemia. Meanwhile, added butter, oils, or heavy fats can upset a dog’s stomach or trigger pancreatitis.
Holiday Breads and Fruitcakes
Many holiday breads and fruitcakes contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, including raisins, currants, dried cranberries, macadamia nuts, walnuts, and alcohol such as rum or brandy. As we’ve explained above, raisins can cause sudden kidney failure, certain nuts can cause weakness, tremors, or vomiting, and alcohol is toxic to dogs.
Corn on the Cob
Corn kernels themselves are perfectly safe for dogs, but the cob can get stuck in their throat or create a blockage in the digestive tract, often requiring emergency surgery.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Unsafe Holiday Leftovers
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Stay calm and assess the situation. Check what your dog ate, how much, and when, so you can inform the veterinarian, who can determine the level of risk.
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Call your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline right away. Even if your dog seems fine at first, toxins can act quickly or show delayed symptoms.
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Watch closely for symptoms. Keep an eye out for vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, restlessness, shaking, lethargy, pale gums, or trouble breathing. Seek emergency care immediately if symptoms worsen.
Safe Holiday Treat Alternatives for Dogs
Not all holiday ingredients are dangerous for your dog. To ensure your pet can participate in mealtime as a valued family member, consider these safe, plant-based treats.
Plain Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are safe for dogs when cooked and served plain. They provide fiber, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Dogs also digest sweet potatoes well, and they can support healthy digestion. Just keep them free of added sugar, marshmallows, butter, or spices.
Cooked Pumpkin or Squash
We’re not talking about pie filling here, but the actual vegetable. Plain cooked pumpkin or squash is gentle on a dog's stomach and often recommended for digestive support. These vegetables are rich in fiber, beta-carotene, and vitamins while being low in fat.
Plain Green Beans
Plain green beans are a low-calorie and nutrient-rich snack for dogs. They provide fiber, vitamins C and K, and plant-based nutrients without adding fat. Plain green beans are especially helpful for dogs that are watching their weight. Just be sure to avoid the butter, garlic, or seasonings.
Key Takeaways: Safe and Unsafe Holiday Foods for Dogs
While perfectly delicious to you, many of the ingredients on your holiday table can be hazardous to your dog.
Avoid feeding them:
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Cooked bones
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Grapes and raisins
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Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks
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Alcohol
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Chocolate
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Xylitol
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Raw yeast dough
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Macadamia nuts and walnuts
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Turkey skin and drippings
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Ham and bacon
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Gravy
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Mashed potatoes
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Stuffing and casseroles
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Holiday breads and fruitcakes
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Corn on the cob
If you’re looking for safe and plant-based holiday ingredients for your dog, consider:
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Plain sweet potatoes
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Cooked pumpkin or squash
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Plain green beans
Or you can feed them vegan dog food or treats from Wild Earth, all completely plant-based and nutritious.
FAQs
You now know which holiday ingredients should never end up in your dog’s bowl! Still, here are a few common questions and important reminders:
Can a small amount of holiday food really harm my dog?
Yes, in some cases, even a very small amount can be dangerous. Foods like chocolate, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and alcohol can trigger serious reactions quickly. Other foods like fatty turkey skin or ham may cause digestive upset or pancreatitis, depending on your dog’s size and sensitivity.
Why are onions and garlic especially dangerous for dogs?
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks contain compounds that damage a dog’s red blood cells, which can lead to hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells break down faster than the body can replace them. Symptoms may take hours or days to appear and can include weakness, pale gums, rapid breathing, and even collapse.
Are all nuts unsafe for dogs, or just certain kinds?
Only certain nuts are toxic to dogs, but they happen to be the ones found often in holiday dishes, such as macadamia nuts, walnuts, pecans and almonds. Even peanuts (plain and unsalted), while not toxic to dogs, can cause an upset stomach because of their high fat content.
What holiday foods are safe to share with my dog?
If you’re looking for plant-based treats your dog can enjoy from the holiday feast, stick with plain sweet potato, plain cooked pumpkin or squash, or plain green beans. These foods are gentle on your dog’s stomach, low in fat, and provide nutrients dogs can handle well.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday from all of us at Wild Earth!