Pet owners should be careful not to offer certain foods at Christmasto their pets – as many could actually be toxic for them. As humans get into the festive spirit, there are some elements of the season which can prove dangerous for our four-legged friends.
And, while we want our pooches to enjoy the festive season with us, owners are being told to think twice before decorating their houses with all the yuletide greenery.
Dogs often try to either eat or play with every new thing they find, and it can be very stressful when they snack on something they shouldn’t. When it comes to canine companions here’s what to watch out for…
Christmas trees
While real Christmas trees can cause dogs to have an upset stomach and irritated mouth if they decide to chew on the branches, they aren’t too toxic to dogs. However, it’s the needles that can pose more of a problem.
Sharp pine needles can cause harm to a dog’s insides if eaten, like blockages or punctures in their digestive tract. They could also cause injuries even to dogs playing around the tree, by getting stuck in their paws or face.
Another thing to look out for with real trees is the water they stand in to keep them going through the festive period. Dogs may be tempted to have a sip from the tree stand – but the fertiliser and other chemicals often used in the water, in addition to the bacteria that it can harbour when it’s been standing for a while, could make them ill.
Artificial trees
Artificial trees aren’t risk-free, either – while fake branches won’t have the irritating oils that real ones do, they still won’t do your dog any favours if eaten, due to being made of materials such as plastic that can’t be digested. This also goes for other plastic-based festive decorations such as tinsel.
Owners should also keep an eye on the ornaments that hang on their Christmas trees. They might look like a shiny new ball or chew toy to your pet – but these often fragile decorations can break easily and leave your dog with some nasty cuts.
Festive greenery such as holly and ivy
Christmas trees aren’t the only plant we bring into our homes over the festive season that can pose a threat to our dogs. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe are all toxic if eaten by pets, often leading to upset stomachs. Christmas favourite poinsettia also has a similar effect on dogs.
It’s best to keep festive decorations out of reach, or in the case of Christmas trees put a guard around the bottom, so that curious dogs won’t be tempted to take a bite. Any owner worried that their dog might have eaten something they shouldn’t have should get in touch with their vet.
Christmas pudding and mince pies
Grapes and their dried products like currants, sultanas and raisins are toxic to dogs, and ingestion of even a small quantity can cause severe kidney failure. This includes food items that contain these products, like Christmas puddings and mince pies.
Chocolate
Giving dogs chocolate – no matter the type or quantity – should be avoided at all costs. The chemical theobromine, which is a bit like caffeine, is found in chocolate and is toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause agitation, hyperexcitability, tremors, convulsions and problems with the heart.
Onions
Onions, garlic, leeks, shallots and chives all belong to the Allium species of plants and can cause toxicity, whether cooked or raw. Initially there can be vomiting and diarrhoea, but the main damage it causes is to red blood cells, resulting in anaemia. These symptoms may not show straight away and could take between two to four days, but as soon as you suspect poisoning, call your vet immediately.
Gravy
As it’s a staple on the Christmas dinner table, lots of people will give their dogs Christmas dinner leftovers which are smothered in gravy, but it’s really high in salt so should be avoided.
Dairy products
Dogs find it hard to consume and digest dairy products. Like some humans, they’re intolerant to lactose products such as milk and cheese, which can cause stomach upsets, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Alcohol
There’s often a lot of alcohol around at Christmas, but you should make sure it’s kept well away from your dog. Intoxicating your dog with alcohol is very dangerous, causing some of the same effects we have when we consume alcohol.
Even small amounts found in cooked food should not be given to your dog, and veterinary assistance should be sought straight away should your dog accidentally ingest some.
Artificial sweeteners
A sugar-free sweetener called xylitol is often found in the sweets we consume over Christmas, as well as chewing gums, mouthwashes, and toothpastes. It is poisonous to dogs and, although the amounts in different products vary, even a couple of sweets could cause toxic effects in a small dog.
It can induce the release of insulin in the body, resulting in low blood sugar and sometimes liver damage. Signs of poisoning can be rapid or delayed, and include vomiting, lethargy, convulsions and comas.
A spokesperson for Pure Pet Food said: “Christmas is the time to indulge in all our favourite festive foods, and as they’re part of the family, dogs should be allowed to get in on some of the action too.
“However, there are a number of typical Christmas foods that present various hidden dangers to our four-legged friends. Alcohol and chocolate should always be avoided, as well as onions, leeks and shallots.
“If you do want to treat your dog this Christmas, buy a specially made Christmas dinner for dogs, or stick to safe human foods like turkey meat, Brussel sprouts, potatoes and carrots.”
This article was first published in 2022 and was republished in December 2024.