Keep Your Pup Safe This Christmas: Foods to Avoid
Part 1 of 3: Christmas Pet Safety Series
Series Navigation:
🎄 CHRISTMAS PET SAFETY SERIES
📍 You are here: Part 1 Dangerous Foods
- Part 1: Dangerous Christmas Foods ← You are here
- Part 2: Heat & Decoration Hazards (Coming Dec 12)
- Part 3: Stress & Fireworks Management (Coming Dec 19)
⬇️ Download Free Christmas Safety Checklist
⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every dog is different. Always consult your veterinarian for specific health concerns, treatment options, or emergency situations. Standout Pets is not liable for any actions taken based on this information.
Let's be honest, Christmas is chaotic. There's food everywhere, guests dropping by, and your dog has never been more interested in what's happening on the dining table.
While we're all trying to enjoy the silly season, emergency vets across Australia see a huge spike in cases during December. The good news? Most of these emergencies are totally preventable with a bit of awareness and planning.
This guide covers the most common Christmas foods that can make your dog seriously sick, plus simple tips to keep everyone safe and happy during the holidays.
This is Part 1 of our 3-part Christmas Safety Series. Next week we'll cover summer heat and decorations!
The Foods That Cause the Most Problems
1. Chocolate: The One Everyone Knows (But Still Happens)
Yep, chocolate tops the list. You probably already know it's bad for dogs, but it's worth repeating because it's responsible for more emergency vet visits than any other Christmas food.
Why it's dangerous: Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that dogs can't process properly. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the worst offenders, but even milk chocolate can cause problems.
What happens: Vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, rapid breathing, and in severe cases, seizures.
What to do: If your dog eats chocolate, any amount, call your vet straight away. They'll ask what type of chocolate it was, how much, and your dog's weight, then tell you what to do next. Don't wait to see if symptoms appear.
Prevention tip:
Lock away ALL chocolate, don't forget advent calendars, chocolate tree decorations, and Christmas stockings!
2. Xylitol: The Hidden Danger Most People Don't Know About
Here's the scary one: xylitol is a sugar substitute found in loads of "healthy" or "sugar-free" products, and it's extremely toxic to dogs. The problem? Most pet owners have never heard of it.
Where it hides:
-
Sugar-free Christmas baking and desserts
-
Sugar-free lollies and mints
-
Some brands of peanut butter (yes, really, always check labels!)
-
Diet ice cream and puddings
-
Chewing gum
Why it's so dangerous: When dogs eat xylitol, their body thinks it's real sugar and releases a massive amount of insulin. This causes their blood sugar to crash dangerously low within 30 minutes.
What happens: Weakness, loss of coordination, seizures, and potentially liver failure.
What to do: This is a true emergency. Call your vet or emergency clinic immediately, don't wait for symptoms.
Prevention tip: Read every ingredient label on Christmas treats. If you see "xylitol" or "sugar alcohol," keep it well away from your dog. Brief your guests not to share "healthy" snacks with your pup.
3. Grapes, Raisins & Sultanas: Small but Dangerous
These innocent-looking fruits are hiding in Christmas puddings, mince pies, fruitcakes, and trail mixes, and they can cause serious kidney problems in dogs.
The tricky part: Some dogs can eat grapes without issues, while others get very sick from just a few. There's no way to predict, so the rule is simple: keep all grapes, raisins, and sultanas away from your dog.
What happens: Vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and in severe cases, kidney failure.
What to do: If your dog eats grapes or raisins, call your vet immediately. Early action makes a big difference.
Prevention tip: Check ingredient lists on ALL Christmas baking. Sultanas sneak into lots of festive treats.
4. Macadamia Nuts: An Aussie Problem
Macadamia nuts are uniquely Australian, and uniquely dangerous for dogs. They affect the nervous system and can cause some pretty scary symptoms.
What happens: Weakness (especially in the back legs), trembling, vomiting, and elevated body temperature. Most dogs recover within 12-48 hours with vet care, but it's not pleasant.
What to do: Contact your vet if your dog eats macadamia nuts. They'll let you know if you need to bring your pup in.
Prevention tip: Watch out for macadamia nut cookies, brownies, and desserts at gatherings.
5. Fatty Foods & Cooked Bones: The Table Scrap Trap
We get it, those puppy dog eyes are hard to resist when you're carving the Christmas turkey. But fatty foods and cooked bones cause serious problems.
Fatty foods (turkey skin, gravy, fatty meat): Can trigger pancreatitis, which means severe tummy pain, vomiting, and often hospitalization.
Cooked bones: Unlike raw bones, cooked bones become brittle and splinter. These sharp pieces can cut your dog's mouth and digestive tract or cause dangerous blockages.
What to do: If your dog gets into fatty foods or bones, contact your vet, they'll advise whether you need to bring your dog in based on what was eaten.
Safe alternative: A small amount of plain, boneless, unseasoned turkey or chicken is fine as a treat. Just skip the skin, gravy, and bones entirely.
Prevention tip: Keep fatty scraps and bones in a sealed bin, and let your guests know not to sneak table scraps to your pup.
6. Onions & Garlic: Hidden in Holiday Dishes
Onions, garlic, leeks, and chives can damage your dog's red blood cells over time, leading to anaemia.
Where they hide:
-
Gravies and sauces
-
Stuffing
-
Seasoned vegetables
-
Garlic butter
What to do: If your dog eats a dish with onions or garlic, contact your vet. They'll let you know if treatment is needed based on the amount.
Prevention tip: Don't share seasoned holiday dishes with your dog. Stick to plain, unseasoned proteins.
7. Alcohol: Keep the Festive Drinks Away
Christmas drinks like mulled wine, beer, and cocktails are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause problems.
What happens: Disorientation, vomiting, loss of coordination, and breathing difficulties.
What to do: If your dog drinks alcohol, call your vet immediately.
Prevention tip: Keep drinks out of paw's reach and watch for spills at parties, curious dogs will lap up anything on the floor.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Something They Shouldn't
Accidents happen, even with the best planning. Here's what to do:
1. Stay calm (your dog will pick up on your panic)
2. Figure out what they ate: What was it? How much? When did it happen?
3. Call your vet or emergency clinic immediately: Give them the details and they'll tell you what to do next.
4. Don't induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to (some things are worse coming back up)
5. Head to the vet if advised: Bring the packaging or a photo of the ingredient list if possible.
Emergency contacts to save NOW:
📞 Emergency Vet: Emergency veterinarian service - Vets Near Me
📞 Home - Animal Poisons Helpline - 1300 869 738
📞 Brisbane Call Centre | RSPCA Queensland
Remember: Many vets close during the Christmas break, so find your nearest 24/7 emergency clinic before the holidays hit.
Simple Ways to Prevent Food Emergencies
✅ Lock away dangerous foods in sealed containers or cupboards dogs can't reach
✅ Brief your guests before they arrive: "Please don't feed our dog without asking"
✅ Watch your dog during meals and keep them in another room if needed
✅ Check labels on everything, especially for xylitol
✅ Secure your bins so curious dogs can't raid the rubbish
✅ Have emergency numbers handy (save them in your phone now!)
Print this sign for your guests:
text
🐕 Please Don't Feed Our Dog! 🐕
We know [Dog's Name] is adorable, but human food can make them very sick.
What's safe: Ask us first!
Not safe: Chocolate, grapes, bones, fatty foods, xylitol treats, onions, garlic
Thanks for keeping our pup healthy! ❤️
Safe Christmas Treat Alternatives from Standout Pets
Instead of risky table scraps, treat your pup to safe, natural alternatives:
🦴Shop Standout Pets' Natural Treat Buckets - Australian-made, single-ingredient treats perfect for Christmas spoiling
🎁 Lamb ears, shark cartilage, and beef jerky - No artificial ingredients, no xylitol, 100% dog-safe
✨ Free shipping over $59 - Stock up before the holiday rush
Your pup deserves to celebrate too- just safely.
What's Coming Next
Now you know which foods to avoid, but Christmas dangers don't stop there!
Next Thursday (Dec 12): Part 2 of our Christmas Safety Series
-
Keeping dogs cool in Aussie summer heat
-
Christmas decoration hazards
-
Safe travel tip
Download Your Free Christmas Pet Safety Checklist
Get our comprehensive printable checklist covering all 3 parts of this series:
✓ Toxic foods to avoid
✓ Heat safety protocols
✓ Decoration hazards
✓ Fireworks anxiety management
✓ Emergency vet contacts
⬇️ Download Free Checklist (PDF)
Quick Q&A
Q: My dog ate a tiny bit of chocolate. Should I worry?
A: Call your vet. They'll assess the risk based on the type of chocolate, amount, and your dog's size. Don't wait to see what happens.
Q: Can I give my dog plain turkey at Christmas?
A: Yes! Small amounts of plain, boneless, unseasoned turkey or chicken are fine. Skip the skin, gravy, and bones.
Q: How do I know if something has xylitol?
A: Check the ingredient list. Look for "xylitol" or "sugar alcohol." When in doubt, keep it away from your dog.
Q: What if my vet is closed on Christmas Day?
A: Find your nearest 24/7 emergency clinic NOW and save their number. Don't wait until you need it.
Share This With Other Dog Owners
Know someone who needs this? Share this guide, it could save a pup from an emergency vet visit!
💬 Comment below: What's your biggest Christmas food worry? Have you had a close call before?
About Standout Pets
We're Australia's go-to for premium, natural pet treats. Our mission? Help you spoil your furry mate with safe, healthy goodies.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This information is general in nature. Always consult your vet for advice specific to your dog's health and situation.
