Holiday Food Dangers for Pets: Essential Safety Tips for Pet Owners

The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and delicious food—but not all human foods are safe for our pets. This guide will help you understand the common holiday food dangers for pets and offer tips to keep them safe during celebrations.

Toxic Foods Pets Should Avoid During the Holidays

During holiday festivities, pets are often curious and may try to sample foods that could harm them. Unfortunately, common holiday foods can be toxic to dogs and cats. Be aware of these foods and keep them out of reach to protect your furry family members.

• Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, which dogs and cats cannot metabolize well. Even a small amount, particularly of dark chocolate, can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or even life-threatening symptoms.

• Grapes and Raisins: These seemingly harmless fruits can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs.

• Onions and Garlic: Ingredients like onions and garlic can damage red blood cells in pets, leading to serious health issues.

• Artificial Sweeteners: Xylitol, a sweetener found in many sugar-free products, can lead to hypoglycemia, seizures, and liver failure in dogs.

The Risks of Rich and Fatty Foods for Pets

Rich holiday foods like turkey skin, gravy, and butter-laden dishes may seem safe, but they can pose risks to your pet’s health. Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that leads to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and lethargy—often requiring emergency treatment.

Tips for Protecting Pets from Holiday Food Hazards

1. Keep Food Out of Reach: Store food on high counters and securely close trash cans to prevent pets from accessing harmful foods.

2. Educate Guests: Politely inform guests not to share food with pets, even if they seem interested or beg.

3. Create Safe Spaces: During meal preparation and cleanup, consider keeping pets in a separate room to avoid accidental ingestion of unsafe foods.

What to Do If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic

If you suspect your pet has ingested something harmful, act quickly:

• Contact Your Veterinarian or an emergency pet clinic right away.

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: Call the hotline at 1-888-426-4435 for 24/7 assistance (initial consultation fee applies).

• HomeAgain Poison Control: If your pet has a HomeAgain microchip, you may be eligible for a free poison consultation at 1-888-466-3242.

• Chocolate Ingestion Calculator: For dogs who may have eaten chocolate, you can use an online toxicity calculator to assess risk based on the type and amount consumed and your dog’s weight.

Keeping Pets Safe During the Holidays

Being vigilant about what your pets can access during the holidays can ensure they stay safe and healthy, allowing everyone—pets included—to enjoy the festivities. By understanding holiday food dangers and preparing accordingly, you’ll create a safe environment for your beloved pets.

Written by: Dr. Julie Smith and Dr. Lissa Richardson

What NOT to Feed Your Pets on Thanksgiving

1. Turkey Bones and Fatty Skin

• While a small bite of cooked turkey meat can be a treat, avoid giving your pet any turkey bones or fatty skin. Bones can splinter and cause choking or serious damage to your pet’s digestive system, and the high fat content of skin can lead to pancreatitis.

2. Stuffing

• Stuffing may be a staple on your table, but it’s not suitable for pets. Onions, garlic, and herbs like sage, which are often found in stuffing, can be toxic to both dogs and cats. These ingredients can cause digestive upset and even more serious health issues, such as red blood cell damage.

3. Gravy

• Rich and fatty foods like gravy can lead to pancreatitis in pets, especially in dogs. It’s best to keep this holiday favorite off your pet’s menu entirely.

4. Mashed Potatoes with Add-ins

• Plain, cooked potatoes are generally safe, but Thanksgiving mashed potatoes often come loaded with butter, cream, garlic, onions, or cheese. These ingredients can upset your pet’s stomach and should be avoided.

5. Cranberry Sauce

• While plain cranberries can be fine for pets in small amounts, sugary, processed cranberry sauce often contains ingredients like grapes or raisins, which are toxic to dogs. Stick to pet-safe treats instead.

6. Chocolate and Desserts

• Chocolate is highly toxic to pets, especially dogs. Sweets, in general, should be off-limits. Pies, cookies, and desserts often contain ingredients like chocolate, nuts, and xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely dangerous to pets.

7. Alcohol

• Even small amounts of alcohol can be harmful to pets, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures or death. Keep drinks well out of reach!

8. Ham

• Ham is often high in sodium and fat, which can cause digestive problems and, over time, lead to serious health conditions like pancreatitis or kidney disease. It’s best to avoid sharing ham with your pet.

9. Green Bean Casserole

• While plain green beans are a healthy snack for pets, the traditional casserole version often includes ingredients like cream, onions, and mushrooms that are not safe for animals.

10. Raw Dough or Batter

• If you’re baking, don’t let your pet lick the spoon! Raw dough and batter can contain harmful bacteria (like salmonella), and raw yeast dough can expand in your pet’s stomach, leading to painful bloating and potential complications.

Pet-Safe Alternatives
If you want to include your pet in the Thanksgiving celebration, there are safe options that will keep them happy and healthy:

• Plain, cooked turkey (no skin, bones, or seasoning)

• Plain sweet potatoes

• Plain green beans

• Small portions of pumpkin (without spices or sugar)

Additional Tips for a Safe Thanksgiving

• Keep pets out of the kitchen. With so much food preparation happening, it's easy for pets to get into something they shouldn’t. Consider keeping them in a safe, quiet space away from the action.

• Educate guests. Let your visitors know not to feed your pets from the table. Provide a list of safe alternatives if they want to give your pet a treat.

• Have pet-friendly treats on hand. Stock up on your pet’s favorite treats to keep them feeling included without the risk.

• Watch for signs of trouble. If your pet does manage to get into something they shouldn’t, be on the lookout for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, and contact your vet immediately if you notice any problems.

We all want to share the love with our pets during the holidays, but it’s important to do so safely. By keeping harmful foods out of reach and providing pet-friendly alternatives, you can ensure your furry friend has a safe and happy Thanksgiving right alongside you.

Remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to stick with foods that are specifically made for pets. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Sage Compassion for Animals!