Last Updated: 28/09/2026
Toxic Christmas Foods for Pets
Keep your pet safe this Christmas! Many festive foods like ham, fatty offcuts, macadamias, grapes, and chocolate are toxic to pets. Our vets list the common dangers, the risks (like pancreatitis), and offer great, safe treat alternatives for your dog or cat.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 2 minutes - short read
'Tis the season to be jolly! With the festive season upon us, it's time to untangle the Christmas lights, get together with family, and eat an embarrassing amount of delicious food.
However, while you're clinking your champers and popping the Christmas crackers, it's important to be aware which delicious festive foods pose a danger to our furry friends.
Boxing Day is one of a vet's busiest days for food-related presentations, and it's almost always something off the Christmas table.
The Christmas foods to keep away from dogs and cats are: fatty ham and turkey offcuts, macadamia nuts, grapes and dried fruit (including in Christmas cake and pudding), onion and garlic (common in stuffing and gravy), cooked poultry bones, chocolate, alcohol, and lilies (a cat-specific risk). If your pet eats any of these, contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.
Read our guide below to common Christmas dangers, and see which treats are safe for pets!
Is Christmas ham safe for dogs and cats?
No. Festive meats like ham, sausages, and fatty turkey offcuts are dangerously high in fat for dogs. A sudden fat overload can cause pancreatitis (a painful inflammation of the pancreas) - one of the most common reasons pets are rushed to the vet at Christmas. This condition causes severe vomiting, nausea, and dehydration, and can cause life-long fat-sensitivity.
Are macadamia nuts poisonous to dogs?
Yes. Macadamia nuts, whether in cakes, chocolate, or on their own, are highly poisonous to dogs. While the exact toxin is unknown, ingestion can cause a wobbly gait, inability to stand, tremors, vomiting, and hyperthermia. Shells also pose a gastrointestinal foreign body risk. Learn more in our guide to macadamia nuts and dogs.
Can dogs and cats eat Christmas cake or pudding?
No. Christmas cake and pudding are usually loaded with dried fruit (sultanas, raisins and currants), which carries the same kidney failure risk as fresh grapes and sultanas. There's no known "safe amount" of dried fruit, so the safest approach is none at all. Traditional pudding often adds alcohol on top, from the brandy, rum or sherry it's soaked in. Owners are often caught out here because dried fruit baked into a cake doesn't register as risky the way a bunch of grapes does - if your pet's eaten either, call your vet straight away rather than waiting for symptoms.
Is stuffing or gravy safe for dogs and cats?
No, if either contains onion or garlic. Both contain a toxin that can damage your pet's red blood cells, causing anaemia, lethargy and weakness if enough are destroyed. Cooking doesn't neutralise the toxin, so a spoonful of gravy "as a treat" is still a risk, even with no visible onion in it. Read through our guide to onions and garlic for more information.
Can dogs eat cooked turkey or chicken bones?
No. Cooked bones dry out and become brittle, so they splinter rather than crush - which can cause choking, cuts to the mouth and throat, or in serious cases a perforated gut. This is one of the more dramatic Boxing Day presentations we see, usually from a few "harmless" turkey scraps. Watch for vomiting, straining or reluctance to eat, and call your vet if you're worried. Raw bones carry less splintering risk, but should be fed with caution - see our guide to are raw bones safe for dogs? for more information.
Is chocolate dangerous for pets at Christmas?
Yes. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which cats and dogs can't metabolise effectively. Risk depends on your pet's weight, the chocolate type (the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is), and the amount eaten, with signs ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to tremors, seizures, and coma. Learn more in our guide to chocolate toxicity in dogs.
Is alcohol dangerous for pets over the festive season?
Yes. Cats and dogs are far more sensitive to alcohol than adult humans and can become poisoned quickly - from a splash of champagne to a boozy Christmas pudding. Symptoms may include ataxia (walking wobbly), vomiting, low body temperature, loss of consciousness, or difficulty breathing.
Are lilies dangerous to cats at Christmas?
Yes. While not a food, lilies are a common holiday flower - their petals, pollen and leaves are extremely toxic to cats and cause kidney failure. Don't keep lilies in the house if you have a cat.
Can dogs eat pavlova?
In small amounts, plain pavlova (egg white, sugar, cream, safe fruits) isn't toxic - but it's still not a good idea. It's high in sugar and cream, adding to the pancreatitis risk. Topped with chocolate or grapes, treat it the same as those risks. A pet-safe treat is the better swap.
Can cats eat prawns or prawn chips at Christmas?
Plain cooked prawn flesh, with shell and tail removed, in small amounts is generally fine for cats - prawn chips and cocktail sauce are not. The oil, salt and flavourings can upset your cat's stomach, and depending on the ingredients, may even be toxic. Prawn shells are a choking and obstruction risk. Not all cats tolerate prawns, so feed only a very small amount and monitor closely.
What are safe Christmas treats for my pet?
A special festive treat (like our Christmas range) keeps your pet part of the celebration and safely off your plate. Long-lasting "occupier" treats for dogs and lick mats spread with lickable treats for cats - keep them busy and away from the lunch table. Dental treats like Greenies, Whimzees or Instinctive Bite double as a Christmas gift and a teeth clean - see our guides to Dental Care for Dogs and Dental Care for Cats.
What fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs and cats?
Most fruit and vegetables are completely safe for pets, and offer a low calorie, low fat option for our furry friends. See below for a list of safe and dangerous fruit and vegetables for cats and dogs.
Safe
- Apple (no seeds)
- Banana
- Blueberry
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Green Beans
- Mango (seed removed)
- Melons (all varieties)
- Peach
- Pears (seed removed)
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Zucchini
Unsafe
- Avocado
- Cherries
- Garlic
- Grapes
- Green potatoes
- Mushrooms
- Onions
Christmas is a wonderful time for the whole family, and by being aware of these common hazards, you can ensure it's a safe one for your furry members too. The simplest approach is to keep human food strictly for humans and to spoil your pet with their own special, pet-safe treat instead.
If you are ever in doubt or suspect your pet has eaten something toxic, it's crucial to contact your local or emergency vet immediately for advice. For the full list of everyday human foods that are risky for dogs, see our guide to toxic foods for dogs.
Articles recommended for you
Wondering what human foods are dangerous for dogs? Our expert vet explains the most common toxic foods found in your kitchen, including chocolate, grapes, xylitol, and onions. Learn why they are harmful and find safe alternatives to treat your dog.
Learn which human foods are safe or unsafe for your pets? Read more here.
Christmas can be stressful for cats. Want to celebrate together safely? Our vet shares 'purr-fect' ways to bond this holiday. Discover ideas for safe homemade treats, festive photos, cosy movie nights, and the best presents for your feline friend.
Read on for our list of fun and safe activities for you and your dog to celebrate Christmas together.
Stay merry this Christmas while keeping your pets safe from holiday hazards.
From lilies and chocolate to common medications like paracetamol, your home could have hidden dangers for your cat. Our vet guide identifies the top toxic foods and household items to help you keep your feline friend safe.
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon 28 Sep 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
