Looking after your dog this Christmas
How to keep your dog safe and happy over Christmas, from decorations and festive foods that are dangerous to dogs, to keeping their routine steady and what to do if they eat something harmful.
The short answer
Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants (including mince pies, Christmas pudding and cake), onions, garlic and leeks (including stuffing and gravy), macadamia nuts, cooked bones, anything containing xylitol, and alcohol away from your dog. A small piece of plain, boneless, skinless turkey is fine. Keep decorations out of reach, stick to your dog's routine, and call your vet straight away if they eat something harmful.
Key considerations
- 01Many Christmas foods are dangerous to dogs, including mince pies, Christmas pudding, stuffing, gravy, chocolate and cooked bones.
- 02Keep decorations, festive plants and wrapped food gifts out of your dog's reach.
- 03Stick to your dog's usual meals, walks and training as much as you can.
- 04Find out your vet's out-of-hours arrangements before Christmas.
Christmas can be a busy time, and it brings some extra hazards for dogs. Many families enjoy including their dog in the celebrations, and with a few precautions you can keep your dog safe and happy over the festive season.
Decorations and household hazards
Dogs are often curious about a newly decorated tree, with all its tinsel and baubles. Keep decorations, festive plants and chocolate gifts out of your dog's reach, including chocolate hung on the tree or wrapped under it. A little extra caution now is better than an emergency trip to the vet.
Christmas foods that are dangerous to dogs
Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants (including mince pies, Christmas pudding and cake), onions, garlic and leeks (including stuffing and gravy), macadamia nuts, cooked bones, anything containing xylitol, and alcohol away from your dog.
A small piece of plain, boneless, skinless turkey is fine, but no bones, skin, gravy or stuffing.
Rich food and too many extras can also upset your dog's stomach, and over the festive period they can lead to weight gain. Stick to their normal meals at their usual times, and ask visitors not to feed your dog from the table. Your dog can't judge what is safe for them to eat, so it is up to you.
If your dog eats something harmful
If your dog eats something harmful, call your vet straight away. Find out your vet's out-of-hours arrangements before Christmas.
Don't wait for signs of illness, as some poisons take time to cause symptoms. If you can, tell the vet what your dog ate, roughly how much and when.
Keep your dog's routine steady
Festive meals at unusual times, visitors coming and going and presents to open can all throw your household routine out. Routine gives dogs comfort and stability, so try to:
- feed them at their usual times;
- keep up their daily walks;
- carry on with their training, as missed or inconsistent sessions can confuse them.
A quiet room or bed where your dog can rest away from the noise can help too.
Including your dog in Christmas
You don't have to buy your dog a present, but many owners enjoy it. A new toy or a dog-safe treat is plenty.
When you are opening presents, keep an eye on your dog. Make sure they don't run off with something that isn't theirs, or chew wrapping paper, ribbon or packaging.
Before you decide
- Do you know your vet's opening hours and out-of-hours number over Christmas?
- Have you told visitors not to feed your dog from the table?
- Is there a quiet place your dog can go to get away from the bustle?
Questions readers ask
Can dogs eat Christmas turkey?
A small piece of plain, boneless, skinless turkey is fine. Don't give your dog bones, skin, gravy or stuffing.
Are mince pies dangerous for dogs?
Yes. Mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas cake contain dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas and currants, which are dangerous to dogs. Keep them out of reach.
What should I do if my dog eats chocolate?
Call your vet straight away, even if your dog seems well. Tell them what type of chocolate it was, roughly how much and when.
Is my vet open over Christmas?
Opening hours often change over the holidays. Find out your vet's out-of-hours arrangements before Christmas, so you know who to call in an emergency.
Sources and further reading
- Poisons and hazards for your pets, PDSA. Accessed
- Dog poisoning: common dog poisons, RSPCA. Accessed
- My dog has eaten something harmful, PDSA. Accessed
About this article
- Written by Mypetzilla Editorial Team
- Published
- Updated
This article is general pet advice, not veterinary or legal advice. If your pet is unwell, speak to a vet.
On Mypetzilla
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