Which Christmas Foods Are Dangerous for Dogs?

The Christmas foods dangerous for dogs, according to the ASPCA and the Merck Veterinary Manual, are chocolate, anything with grapes or raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol-sweetened sweets and baked goods, macadamia nuts, raw yeast dough, alcohol, rich fatty leftovers and cooked poultry bones.

If your dog has eaten any of them, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. Some of these foods cause no signs for hours or even days, so waiting to see is the risky choice.

Why is Christmas riskier for dogs than the rest of the year?

A study in Veterinary Record by Noble and colleagues looked at UK veterinary records and found chocolate exposure in dogs was far more commonly recorded at Christmas than on non-festival dates, with odds about 4.7 times higher. Easter came second.

The chocolate in those cases came from gift boxes and bars, chocolate Santa figures, Advent calendars and tree decorations. Dogs under four years old had higher odds of exposure than older dogs.

There is some reassurance in the same study, too. Of the cases where the dose could be worked out, 41% were below the amount generally considered toxic. That is why a quick call with the details is worth making before you panic.

How much chocolate is dangerous for a dog?

Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine. Merck's veterinary manual gives these thresholds for dogs:

Amount eaten	What Merck says can happen
20 mg/kg	Mild signs: vomiting, diarrhea, drinking more than usual
40–50 mg/kg	Effects on the heart
60 mg/kg or more	Seizures

The type of chocolate matters. From most to least dangerous, Merck ranks cocoa powder, baker's chocolate, semisweet and dark chocolate, then milk chocolate. White chocolate is negligible. For milk chocolate, Merck says about 1 ounce per pound of body weight is potentially lethal.

One number is worth knowing: Merck puts the half-life of theobromine in dogs at 17.5 hours. Signs usually start 6 to 12 hours after eating, so a dog can seem fine after dinner and only show signs by morning.

For worked examples by weight, see our guide on how much chocolate is dangerous for a dog.

Which other holiday foods are toxic to dogs?

Grapes, raisins and anything baked with them

Merck says grapes and raisins have been associated with stomach upset and kidney failure in some dogs. Tartaric acid is one proposed cause, and its level varies from fruit to fruit.

Merck notes that, in general, more than one grape or raisin per 10 pounds of body weight may pose a risk. Most affected dogs start vomiting or have diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours.

There is more in our article on whether dogs can eat grapes.

Onions, garlic and chives

The ASPCA explains that these Allium plants can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Merck adds that raw, cooked, dried and powdered forms have all affected dogs, and that dried flakes, powders and onion soup mixes are the forms most often involved.

Two details matter at the holiday table. Merck says garlic is 3 to 5 times more toxic than onion. It also says red blood cell damage typically shows up 3 to 5 days after the meal, long after the leftovers are gone.

Xylitol in sugar-free sweets

Merck lists xylitol in sugar-free gum, candies, mints, peanut butter and baked goods. In most mammals it has little effect on insulin, but in dogs it triggers a rapid release of insulin.

Doses above about 100 mg/kg have been linked to low blood sugar, which can start within 30 minutes. Above 500 mg/kg, some dogs develop severe liver failure. Our guide to xylitol and dogs covers where it hides.

Macadamia nuts

Merck says dogs are the only species in which illness after eating macadamia nuts has been reported. Vomiting, weakness and tremors can begin within 12 hours. Merck notes that signs generally resolve within 12 to 48 hours.

Raw yeast dough and alcohol

Merck explains that raw bread dough can rise in the stomach and cause bloating. The yeast also produces ethanol, which is absorbed into the bloodstream.

The ASPCA warns that the stomach may bloat and potentially twist, a life-threatening emergency. It lists vomiting, diarrhea, incoordination, difficulty breathing and tremors among the effects of alcohol, which is absorbed rapidly.

What about the rich leftovers and the turkey bones?

The ASPCA's holiday guidance is plain: "Fatty, sweet and spicy foods as well as turkey or chicken bones can all be dangerous to our pets." Its advice is to keep pets on their regular diet.

Merck's guide for dog owners says eating trash, large amounts of table scraps or other inappropriate food is believed to be a common risk factor for pancreatitis in dogs. It also notes that no specific cause is found in most cases.

Bones carry their own risks. The ASPCA calls poultry bones a major choking hazard, and warns that raw bones can cause injury or a blockage in the gut that may need surgery.

If you want to share, the ASPCA suggests a small piece of turkey that is boneless and fully cooked, because raw or undercooked turkey may carry salmonella. Our guide on whether dogs can eat turkey goes into more detail.

My dog ate something on this list. What should I do?

Call your vet, an emergency clinic or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA advises calling right away if you think your pet has eaten something poisonous.

Have the details ready. Merck's chocolate thresholds depend on the dose for your dog's weight and on the type of chocolate, so the wrapper, the amount missing and the time it happened all help the person on the phone judge the risk.

Call your vet promptly if your dog:

• has eaten chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, raw dough or alcohol, even if they seem fine
• is vomiting, has diarrhea or is drinking much more than usual
• seems restless, wobbly, weak or unusually tired
• has tremors or a seizure
• has a swollen, tight belly after eating dough
• swallowed a bone, or is gagging or struggling to breathe

How can I keep the holidays safer?

Most of the ASPCA's holiday advice comes down to access. Keep wrapped food and candy off the floor and away from the tree, so a gift box of chocolate does not become a midnight snack.

• Take out the trash or secure the lids. The ASPCA notes that pets dig through bins for food and broken decorations.
• Keep drinks out of reach, especially if guests leave glasses on low tables.
• Ask houseguests to keep medication in a closed cabinet rather than a bag or suitcase, as the ASPCA recommends.
• Watch the snow globes. The ASPCA says they can contain ethylene glycol, the same chemical used in antifreeze.
• Hang salt-dough ornaments high, or skip them. The ASPCA warns that the salt can cause dangerous electrolyte imbalances.

For a festive bowl, the ASPCA's own idea is to mix a few pieces of plain turkey, sweet potato and green beans into your dog's usual dinner.

Questions dog parents ask at Christmas

Is a tiny bite of chocolate dangerous?

It depends on the type and your dog's weight. Merck lists mild signs from about 20 mg/kg of theobromine and caffeine, and dark chocolate and cocoa powder carry far more than milk chocolate. Call your vet or poison control with the details.

Can dogs eat Christmas ham?

Cured ham is usually high in salt. The ASPCA warns that excess salt can cause increased thirst and urination, and in larger amounts vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures. Rich, fatty foods are on its holiday list of things to avoid.

Can dogs eat fruitcake or mince pies?

These usually contain raisins, and some contain alcohol or nuts. Merck links grapes and raisins with kidney failure in some dogs, so keep any baked goods made with dried fruit out of reach.

Is stuffing safe for dogs?

The ASPCA notes that onions and garlic are prevalent in a lot of holiday dishes, and stuffing is a common one. Merck notes that cooked and dried forms are still toxic and that signs can be delayed by days.

Sources

• Noble PJM, Newman J, Wyatt AM, Radford AD, Jones PH. Heightened risk of canine chocolate exposure at Christmas and Easter. Veterinary Record, 2017
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Grape, Raisin, and Tamarind Toxicosis in Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Garlic and Onion (Allium spp) Toxicosis in Animals
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Food Hazards (pet owner version)
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Pancreatitis and Other Disorders of the Pancreas in Dogs
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
• ASPCA: Holiday Safety Tips
• ASPCA: Top Ten Holiday Pet Hazards to Watch Out For
• ASPCA: Thanksgiving Safety Tips

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.