Holidays and big family meals are full of tempting smells, busy kitchens and guests who want to share a bite with the dog. For dogs on a fresh food diet, that can mean a sudden flood of rich leftovers on top of carefully portioned meals, and sometimes foods that are dangerous for dogs. A little planning keeps the celebration fun for everyone, including your dog. This guide covers which foods to keep away from your dog, how to manage guests and leftovers and how to keep your dog's feeding routine steady. It is general guidance; your vet is the best source of advice for your own dog, and if you think your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your vet or an animal poison control center right away.
People foods to keep away from dogs
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center lists common people foods to avoid feeding pets. Several turn up regularly at holiday meals:
- Chocolate, coffee and caffeine. The ASPCA explains that darker chocolate and baking chocolate carry the greatest risk.
- Grapes and raisins, which can lead to kidney damage in dogs. Watch for them in stuffing, fruitcake, salads and baked goods.
- Onion, garlic and chives, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage. They hide in gravy, stuffing, sauces and seasoned meats.
- Macadamia nuts, and other nuts that are high in fat.
- Alcohol and raw yeast dough. The ASPCA warns that rising dough can expand in the stomach, and yeast produces alcohol as it ferments.
- Xylitol, a sweetener found in some sugar-free foods and products.
- Very salty foods.
This is not a complete list, so check before sharing anything new and keep the ASPCA's list or your vet's advice handy.
Xylitol deserves special care
The FDA warns that xylitol, sometimes listed as birch sugar, can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar in dogs that can be life-threatening. It appears in sugar-free gum and candy, some baked goods, some peanut and nut butters, toothpaste, mouthwash, chewable vitamins and some medicines. Holiday guests often bring these in bags and coats. Ask visitors to keep bags off the floor or in a closed room, and check labels on any nut butter before using it as a treat or pill pocket. The FDA advises contacting your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control center right away if you think your dog has eaten xylitol.
Rich leftovers and bones
Even foods that are not toxic can cause trouble. Fatty meats, skin, drippings, gravy and buttery side dishes are very different from what a dog on a balanced fresh diet normally eats. The ASPCA notes that high-fat foods such as nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis in some pets. Large amounts of rich food can upset the stomach of any dog, particularly one on a steady routine.
Cooked bones are another concern. The ASPCA warns that bones can cause injury or obstruction in the digestive tract that may need surgery. Keep carcasses, rib bones and drumsticks well out of reach, and take kitchen trash outside promptly where your dog cannot raid it.
Set ground rules for guests
Most people who slip food to a dog are just trying to be kind. Clear, friendly rules help:
- Tell guests early that your dog is on a special diet and should not be fed from the table.
- Offer a better option, such as a small bowl of your dog's own treats that guests can hand out, within the day's treat budget.
- Keep plates off low tables and away from the edge of counters.
- Give children a job, such as helping with the dog's approved treat, rather than sharing their dinner.
- Use a quiet room or crate during the meal if your dog gets overexcited or is a determined counter surfer.
Include your dog safely
You can still let your dog join in:
- Serve their regular fresh meal at the usual time, perhaps in a special bowl.
- Set aside plain, safe extras before seasoning. Small amounts of plain cooked lean meat or plain vegetables that your vet has said are fine can work, as long as they stay within your dog's daily calorie needs.
- Count extras as treats. Many vets suggest keeping treats to a small share of daily calories; see budgeting treat calories on fresh food.
- Use a food puzzle or long-lasting chew suited to your dog to keep them busy during dinner. Check the label first; see reading dog treat and chew labels.
Keep the routine steady
Holiday schedules can throw off feeding times, walks and sleep. Try to keep meals at roughly the usual times, and plan thawing as normal so you are not caught short; see setting a daily feeding routine on fresh food. With guests opening doors, a busy house is also a common time for dogs to slip out, so check ID tags and keep doors and gates closed.
Kitchen hygiene during a busy day
With fresh dog food and holiday cooking in the same kitchen, keep the dog's food in its own sealed, labeled containers in the fridge and wash bowls and utensils separately; see kitchen hygiene when handling fresh dog food. Make sure fridge space for the dog's food is not lost to party leftovers.
Traveling or boarding over the holidays
If you travel with your dog, pack enough fresh food in a cooler with ice packs and plan for storage at your destination; see traveling with fresh dog food. If your dog stays with a sitter or boarding facility, give written feeding instructions and a clear "no table scraps" note; see fresh food when boarding or daycare.
If your dog eats something they should not
Stay calm and act quickly:
- Remove any remaining food from reach.
- Note what was eaten, how much and when, and keep any packaging.
- Call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control center. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center runs a phone line staffed by poison control experts.
- Do not try home remedies or induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional tells you to.
Keep these numbers in your phone before the holidays start.
Bottom line
Keep chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, xylitol, alcohol, fatty leftovers and cooked bones away from your dog. Set kind but clear rules for guests, offer safe treats within your dog's calorie budget, keep meal times steady and know who to call if your dog gets into something.
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