Christmas Food Safety for Pets

Christmas food safety for pets

🚫 Foods to Keep Away From Pets

These holiday favorites can be toxic or dangerous:

• Chocolate – especially dark & baking chocolate
• Grapes & raisins – even small amounts can cause kidney failure
• Onions, garlic, chives – cooked or raw (toxic to dogs & cats)
• Alcohol – including eggnog and rum cakes
• Xylitol – found in sugar-free desserts, gum, and baked goods
• Macadamia nuts – toxic to dogs
• Cooked bones – turkey/chicken bones splinter easily
• Fatty foods & gravy – can cause pancreatitis
• Yeast dough – can expand in the stomach

⚠️ Holiday Hazards

• Food left on coffee tables or counters
• Trash cans full of scraps
• Guests feeding table scraps
• Decorations like tinsel, ribbons, and toothpicks

✅ Safe Treat Options

If you want to include your pet in the celebration:

• Plain cooked turkey or chicken (no seasoning, skin, or bones)
• Carrots, green beans, or pumpkin (plain, no butter)
• Pet-safe holiday treats from a trusted brand

🐶🐱 Tips for a Safe Christmas

• Feed pets before guests arrive to reduce begging
• Use pet-proof trash cans
• Remind guests: “No people food for pets, please!”
• Keep emergency vet and ASPCA Animal Poison Control handy
  📞 888-426-4435