(Updated November 2024) For many of us, our favourite thing about Christmas is spending quality time with family – and that includes our pets! Christmas is a time for sitting together at the table and enjoying our favourite foods, but there are some Christmas foods that are dangerous for cats and dogs.
While we’d love to give them a taste of everything on our plate (as they sit there staring at each bite we take, mouth open and tongue hanging out) pet owners need to be aware of the many traditional festive foods that can be extremely harmful to our furry family members!
Christmas foods that are dangerous for cats and dogs
With such an array of foods available at Christmas time, it can be hard to distinguish between what will make a tasty treat for your pet and what should be avoided at all costs. To give you peace of mind, we’ve compiled the following list of foods that pose a danger to both cats and dogs:
Garlic, onions, leeks, chives
Each of these bulb vegetables, which are commonly found as part of a festive feast in side dishes like gravy, stuffing and mashed potatoes, are dangerous items for both cats and dogs. These foods can cause a host of problems, from diarrhoea and digestive issues to the destruction of red blood cells as a result of a condition called hemolysis.
Chocolate
As humans, we can indulge to our heart’s content (within reason!) in our favourite chocolatey treats at Christmas time, but our pets are unfortunately not afforded the same luxury. Chocolate is highly poisonous to dogs and in extreme cases, its consumption can be fatal. The ingredient theobromine is the culprit when it comes to chocolate, and if eaten by cats or dogs, it can cause issues relating to the heart, kidneys and even central nervous system. The presence of caffeine in chocolate is also an issue, as it can cause hyperactivity, leading to further problems including tremors and seizures.
Dried fruits
Raisins, sultanas, figs and other dried fruits are also a no-no when it comes to your pet’s festive menu. This means that traditional Christmas treats such as mince pies, fruitcakes and Christmas pudding, which all contain dried fruit, should never be offered to your cat or dog. Its consumption can cause stomach upset and vomiting, or in severe cases, kidney failure.
Nuts
Aside from posing a choking risk, certain nuts can be poisonous to our pets. While macadamia nuts are the big ones to avoid, others like pecans, pistachios and almonds may cause digestive issues, so it’s best to scratch nuts off the menu to avoid any issues on Christmas Day.
Cheese
Many of us enjoy wrapping up our Christmas dinner with an impressive cheese plate, but be careful not to throw any scraps at your pets. Lactose intolerance is a very common problem among cats and dogs, so it’s best not to risk any reaction by feeding them cheese. Be extra vigilant with blue cheese, as dogs, in particular, are extremely sensitive to one of its ingredients – a chemical called Roquefortine C.
Bones
A turkey dinner may lead to an abundance of bones at Christmas time, but you would be doing your canine and feline friends a favour by throwing them in the compost bin instead of their dinner bowls. Aside from raw bones, which can cause salmonella, cooked bones can splinter when chewed, posing a choking hazard and potentially causing internal perforations and blockages, as well as damage to teeth and gums.
Alcohol
We may be popping the corks this Christmas, but our pets won’t be joining us in a toast. Alcohol has no place in a dog or cat’s diet as it can cause many distressing symptoms like vomiting and dizziness. Several popular Christmas desserts also contain their fair share of booze, so be mindful of this before accidentally offering your pet a taste.
What is safe for my cat to eat at Christmas?
With so much off the menu, it may seem difficult to figure out what is safe for your cat to eat. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from, including:
- Ham with all the fat removed
- Turkey with all bones and skin removed
- Vegetables like broccoli, peas, beans, carrots, parsnip, pumpkin and Brussels sprouts
- Potatoes – provided they are not overly seasoned and that any mashed potato doesn’t contain traces of garlic, onion or chives
What can I safely feed my dog at Christmas?
Luckily for our canine companions, there are many delicious gourmet treats they can safely consume this Christmas. Here is a list of festive foods that are suitable for your dog:
- Turkey meat with all skin and bones removed
- Salmon
- Vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, peas, spinach and Brussels sprouts
- Potatoes, again ensure they don’t contain any dangerous extra ingredients
- Cranberry sauce
There is also a range of specially formulated treats available from VETIQ that will not only satisfy your dog’s appetite but will also promote the maintenance of a healthy diet this Christmas.
Safe and calming treats from our Serene Calming range
While seeing our furry babies devour their food can be lovely, Christmas can also be a stressful time for our pets, with changes to routine, noisy environments, and the chaos of hosting family and friends. Fortunately, our Serene Calming range offers a range of solutions to help keep your furry friends relaxed during the festive period.
- The award-winning Serene Calming Ointment is an all-natural, sedative-free solution designed to provide fast relief from anxiety. This patented formula works within 20 minutes of application and can help your dog stay calm during sudden stressful events like carolers, unexpected visitors, noisy toys and flashing decorations. Simply apply the ointment to your pet’s nose to release a calming pheromone that allows them to relax quickly and effectively. Voted PetQuip Product of the Year 2024, it’s the perfect calming aid to keep on hand for the festive season!
- Keep your pets calm and stress-free during the Christmas chaos with Healthy Bites Serene Calming for Cats and Healthy Treats Serene Calming for Small Dogs & Puppies—nutritious, vet-approved treats designed with your pet’s well-being in mind. Crafted with natural calming ingredients like chamomile, lemon balm, and ginger oil, these tasty treats help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in stressful situations, from festive gatherings to loud celebrations. Each treat is packed with essential vitamins to support calm behaviour and a high-protein formula that’s gentle on their digestive systems. They also can be a perfect addition to the pet-friendly dishes we’ve already cooked up above!
Christmas can be a stressful time for our pets, with changes to routine, noisy environments, and the chaos of hosting family and friends. Fortunately, VETIQ’s Serene Calming range offers a variety of safe, nutritious, and vet-approved treats to ensure your furry friends enjoy a calm and enjoyable festive period.
Happy tummy, happy Christmas!
To ensure your pet has as wonderful a Christmas as the whole family, it’s important to be extra cautious about what they consume over the festive period.
This means quickly cleaning up any scraps of food that fall on the floor during preparation, particularly those dangerous to them. It’s also wise to avoid leaving plates or bowls containing harmful foods – and even glasses with alcoholic drinks – within a slurping distance of your eager cat or dog!
Once your pet is looked after, with a belly full of healthy and satisfying foods, you can sit back, relax and celebrate a job well done!
Merry Christmas to you and yours from all at VETIQ!
