Can dogs eat Christmas dinner? A simple guide to what's safe (and what's not)

The turkey's resting, the sprouts are steaming and a hopeful nose is resting on your knee. It's tempting to share a plate, but can dogs eat Christmas dinner? The short answer is: a few plain bits, yes – most of the trimmings, no. This guide explains which Christmas dinner foods are safe for dogs in small amounts, which ones to keep off their plate, and how to give your dog a festive treat without upsetting their tummy or their routine.

At a glance:

A little plain is fine: Small amounts of plain, boneless white turkey and plain vegetables are generally fine for most healthy dogs.

Skip the trimmings: Gravy, stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and rich sauces are best kept off your dog's plate.

Some foods are toxic: Onions, garlic, leeks, raisins, mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolate and alcohol are dangerous for dogs.

Balance the day: If your dog has a festive extra, give a little less of their usual food.

In this guide:

• Can dogs eat Christmas dinner?
• Christmas dinner foods that are safe for dogs in small amounts
• Christmas foods to keep off your dog's plate
• Christmas foods that are toxic to dogs
• How to make a dog-friendly Christmas dinner plate
• How much Christmas food can a dog have?
• Keeping your dog safe around the Christmas table
• Choosing festive treats for your dog

Can dogs eat Christmas dinner?

Dogs can eat some parts of a Christmas dinner, as long as they're plain and given in small amounts. What they shouldn't have is a full plate of everything we eat.

PDSA's vets advise against giving dogs a full Christmas dinner, because it can unbalance their diet. A roast with all the trimmings is rich, salty and fatty, and many traditional extras contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

The good news is that you don't need to leave your dog out. With a little planning, you can put together a small, plain plate that feels like a treat to them – and doesn't lead to an upset tummy on Boxing Day.

If your dog has a health condition, is on medication or you're worried about a change in them, please speak to your vet first.

Christmas dinner foods that are safe for dogs in small amounts

PDSA lists a handful of Christmas dinner foods that are fine for dogs as a one-off treat, as long as they're kept as plain as possible.

Turkey

Plain, boneless white turkey meat is the classic dog-friendly part of the meal. Remove all skin, fat and bones, and make sure there's no glaze, butter, gravy or seasoning on it.

Vegetables

Plain, cooked vegetables are a good way to add volume without lots of extra calories. PDSA includes:

• Carrots and parsnips
• Green beans
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli and peas
• Cauliflower
• Carrot and swede mash, with no butter or onion

Keep vegetables plain – no butter, oil, honey glaze or salt. Chop them into small pieces, and go easy on the sprouts, which can make some dogs a bit windy.

A small handful is plenty

Even the smallest bit of food is a big treat for a dog. PDSA's advice is to keep any festive treat small. A couple of pieces of turkey and a spoonful of vegetables is a generous Christmas dinner for most dogs.

Christmas foods to keep off your dog's plate

Some foods aren't poisonous, but they're still a poor choice for dogs. They're high in fat, salt or calories, and they're a common cause of upset tummies over Christmas.

• Pigs in blankets and bacon: Very salty and fatty. PDSA says these could upset your dog's stomach.
• Roast potatoes: Usually cooked in lots of fat or oil.
• Cheese sauce and cauliflower cheese: Rich and high in fat.
• Turkey skin and fat trimmings: Fatty, and Dogs Trust lists rich, fatty foods and fat trimmings as a cause of problems.
• Gravy, stuffing and bread sauce: PDSA warns that these usually contain ingredients toxic to dogs, such as onion.
• Cranberry sauce: Very sugary, and some recipes include other fruits or alcohol.

It's not about being a spoilsport. A dog who gets pigs in blankets and roast potatoes on Christmas Day may be spending Boxing Day with a poorly tummy – and so might you.

Christmas foods that are toxic to dogs

These are the foods that should never be given to your dog. If your dog eats any of them, contact your vet straight away – even if they seem fine.

• Onions, garlic, leeks and shallots: Toxic to dogs, whether raw, cooked or in powder form. They're often hidden in stuffing, gravy and sauces.
• Raisins, currants, sultanas and grapes: Toxic to dogs. That includes mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake and stollen.
• Chocolate: Toxic to dogs. Keep selection boxes, chocolate coins and tree decorations well out of reach.
• Alcohol: Dogs Trust warns that alcohol is incredibly toxic to dogs. Don't leave drinks where a curious nose can reach.
• Cooked bones: PDSA advises avoiding bones completely. Cooked bones can splinter.
• Macadamia nuts and xylitol (E967): Dogs Trust lists both as dangerous. Xylitol is a sweetener found in some sugar-free sweets, gum and baking.
• Avocado: Dogs Trust also includes avocado in its list of foods to keep away from dogs at Christmas.

Many vets have reduced hours over Christmas, so save your emergency vet's number in your phone before the big day.

How to make a dog-friendly Christmas dinner plate

If you'd like your dog to join in, here's a simple way to do it.

Step 1: Cook their bits separately

Before you season, baste or glaze anything, set aside a few pieces of turkey breast and some vegetables for your dog. Cook their vegetables without butter, oil or salt.

Step 2: Remove bones, skin and fat

Strip the turkey back to plain white meat. Check carefully for small bones.

Step 3: Chop it small

Cut everything into small, easy pieces. It makes the portion look bigger, and it's easier on your dog's tummy.

Step 4: Add it to their usual food

Mix the plain turkey and vegetables into a smaller portion of your dog's normal meal, rather than replacing it. That keeps their diet balanced.

Step 5: Make it last

Put a few pieces in a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat, or keep some back for a training game later. Your dog gets the fun of a festive meal for longer.

We do this every year. Miss Dixie gets a small spoonful of plain turkey and carrot on top of her usual dinner, and she "woooos" at the bowl as though it's a banquet. It's proof that dogs don't need a big plate to feel included.

How much Christmas food can a dog have?

A small amount. UK Pet Food advises that treats and snacks should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories, with complete dog food providing the rest. Festive extras count as treats.

That's why PDSA suggests reducing your dog's usual food allowance for the rest of the day if they've had a Christmas treat.

As a rough guide:

• Small dogs: One or two thumbnail-sized pieces of turkey and a teaspoon of vegetables.
• Medium dogs: A few pieces of turkey and a tablespoon of vegetables.
• Large dogs: A small handful of turkey and a couple of tablespoons of vegetables.

If your dog has a sensitive tummy, it's kindest to skip new foods altogether and stick to treats they already know. Our gentle sensitive stomach treats are a simple alternative for the big day.

Keeping your dog safe around the Christmas table

Most Christmas food accidents happen when nobody is looking. A few simple habits help.

• Tell your guests the rules: Ask visitors not to feed your dog from their plate, however much they're asked.
• Keep food off low tables: Cheeseboards, nibbles and chocolate on the coffee table are an easy reach.
• Clear plates quickly: Scrape leftovers straight into a lidded bin.
• Secure the bin: The turkey carcass, bones and string are very tempting to a dog.
• Give your dog their own job: A long-lasting chew or food puzzle in a quiet spot keeps them busy during dinner.
• Keep routines steady: Dogs Trust advises sticking to your dog's normal routine as much as possible at Christmas.

If your dog tends to beg at the table all year round, our guide to fussy dog eaters has tips on calm, simple mealtimes.

Signs your dog may have eaten something they shouldn't

Watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, a tummy that seems sore, tiredness, restlessness or drinking a lot more than usual. If you think your dog has eaten something toxic, or you're unsure, contact your vet straight away. Don't wait for signs to appear.

Choosing festive treats for your dog

If you'd rather give your dog something festive without the risks of the dinner table, a simple, single-protein treat is an easy swap.

Our air-dried turkey dog treats give your dog the taste of Christmas in a grain-free, hypoallergenic treat with no added nasties. Pheasant, venison and duck are lovely seasonal options too. Because they're made mostly from a single protein, it's easy to know exactly what your dog is eating.

For sensitive dogs, our complete guide to treats for sensitive dogs explains how to choose gentle rewards and introduce new ones slowly.

Summary:

Dogs can enjoy a little plain, boneless white turkey and some plain vegetables on Christmas Day, but a full Christmas dinner isn't a good idea. Keep pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, gravy, stuffing and rich sauces off their plate, and never give onions, garlic, raisins, mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolate, alcohol or cooked bones. Keep portions small, reduce their usual meal to balance it out, and contact your vet straight away if your dog eats something toxic.

FAQs:

Q1: Can dogs eat turkey at Christmas?

Yes, plain, boneless white turkey meat is fine for most dogs in small amounts. Remove the skin, fat and bones, and make sure it has no gravy, butter, glaze or seasoning. Reduce your dog's usual meal a little to balance it out.

Q2: Can dogs eat pigs in blankets?

It's best not to. Pigs in blankets are very salty and high in fat, and PDSA says they could upset your dog's stomach. A small piece of plain turkey is a much better festive treat.

Q3: Can dogs eat Brussels sprouts?

Yes, plain cooked Brussels sprouts are safe for dogs in small amounts, and PDSA includes them in its list of dog-friendly Christmas vegetables. Serve them without butter or seasoning, chopped up, and go easy – too many can make dogs windy.

Q4: Can dogs eat Christmas gravy or stuffing?

No. Gravy and stuffing usually contain onion, garlic or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs, and they're high in salt and fat. Keep them off your dog's plate entirely.

Q5: My dog ate a mince pie. What should I do?

Contact your vet straight away. Mince pies contain raisins, currants and sultanas, which are toxic to dogs, and they may also contain alcohol. Don't wait for symptoms, and don't try to make your dog sick unless your vet tells you to.

Q6: How much Christmas dinner can I give my dog?

Only a small amount. Treats and extras should make up no more than about 10% of your dog's daily calories, according to UK Pet Food. A few pieces of plain turkey and a spoonful of plain vegetables, with a slightly smaller usual meal, is plenty.

Not sure which treats suit your dog? Take our 60-second quiz and we'll make it simple.

This guide is general information to help you care for your dog. It isn't a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's individual needs.