Holiday Food Safety Tips for Your Dog + Pup Approved Treats
The holidays are a time of celebration for you, your family, and furry friends! Holidays bring cheer, family gatherings, and pets spoiled with extra treats. It’s okay to want to celebrate with your dog – but it’s important to know what holiday food is okay for dogs to eat and what isn’t.
To keep your pup healthy and happy, let’s talk about holiday foods that are bad for your dog, foods they can eat, and a few pup approved holiday treats!
How can I keep my dog from eating holiday foods?
The holidays bring table scraps, food falling on the floor, and unattended dishes left in the kitchen – all prime opportunities for your dog to eat something they shouldn’t. It’ll be important to keep an eye on your dog because they have ways of getting onto counters or charming guests with big puppy dog eyes.
Here are a few tips to keep your dog from eating the wrong foods:
- Make sure all guests know not to feed your dog.
- Keep all holiday food up and out of your dog's reach – this also means the garbage!
- Watch out as you load the dishwasher – it’s the perfect lick height.
- Consider putting your dog in a pup-proofed room with treats and toys.
- Have dog-safe foods available for your dog to feast on (see below!).
What holiday foods are bad for dogs?
What may seem like innocent food to us can be harmful to dogs. Our pets can’t metabolize fatty foods, dairy, and other nutrients the way we can. This can cause an upset tummy, gastrointestinal damage, or can even be lethal (like candy, sweeteners, onions, and grapes).
Here is a list of what to never feed your dog:
- Alcohol of any kind
- Bones
- Candy
- Coffee
- Dairy (including whipped cream)
- Eggnog
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Gravy
- Green bean casserole
- Onions
- Nuts (including macadamia and walnuts)
- Yeast dough (e.g. bread or pizza)
- Fatty meats or meat scraps
- Food cooked with nutmeg (e.g. apple or pumpkin pie)
- Food with xylitol (artificial sweetener) as an ingredient
If you’d like a deeper understanding of why these foods aren’t safe for your dog, check out this article from the ASPCA and this one from PETA.
What holiday foods can my dog eat?
Several foods are okay for your dog to feast on with you during the holidays. Keep in mind most of these foods are best served plain and free of additional ingredients.
- Turkey (or chicken): Keep it free of seasonings and salt. Also, don’t give your dog the skin or bones.
- Green beans: Feed it to your pup raw, steamed, or canned, and keep it free of oil, salt, or seasonings.
- Carrots: Feed them to your dog raw (they love the crunch!) or cooked.
- Cranberries: Your dog may or may not like the tart flavor, but if you decide to give it a try, keep it fresh (no cranberry sauces, relishes, or similar dishes).
- White potatoes: Your dog can have a bowl of plain mashed potatoes (so no seasonings, butter, milk, or other ingredients), and peel off the skin since it isn’t good for them.
- Sweet potatoes: These can be eaten cooked or mashed and kept plain.
- Pumpkin: Serve it cooked plain, and if using the canned kind, check the label for anything added to it (like spices or sweeteners).
What are some special holiday dog foods or treats?
Your dog is part of the family, so give them something special to feast on this holiday season! Here are a few ideas you and your family can create for your amazing pup. Bonus: Keep an extra batch of the treats on hand so your guests can spoil your dog too!
- Gravy
- Christmas Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie For Dogs
- 5-Minute Holiday Eggnog
- Peppermint Pinwheel Dog Treats
- Homemade Holiday Dog Treats + Sweet Potatoes
- The Turdoggen: A Hearty Stuffed Butternut Squash for Dogs
- Christmas Dog Treat Recipe with Pumpkin Seeds and Cranberries
If you’re traveling during the holidays and need a safe place for your dog to stay, check out our doggy daycare in Miami.
At Fit & Go Pets, our facilities feature indoor areas to relax and outdoor areas for both wet and dry play. Our trained, qualified staff will make sure your dog gets loads of playtime, rest, and love.
Let Fit & Go Pets be your dog's home away from home during your holiday travels! You can find us at 711 NW 24th Street in Miami, Florida.
Need holiday gift ideas for your pup? Check out The 5 Best Products We Love for Dogs!
