The Christmas Naughty & Nice Foods List!
Every year around Christmas time social media platforms and articles on the internet are full of “dangerous foods for dogs” but often these lists are compiled with inaccurate information and seldom include the foods that are beneficial for your dog's health!
Last year to combat some of these inaccuracies, I sat down and compiled “My naughty ‘n Nice Christmas foods for your dogs!” The nice foods detail the top nutrients and their benefits for your dogs and the naughty list fully details why each food item is fatal for your dog. I’ve also included my top tips on how to keep your dog safe around all the tempting Christmas snacks & sweets!
My 12 Top tips to keep your dog safe at Christmas;
1. Before placing any presents gifted to your household under the tree ask the gifter if the item contains any food - this way you can avoid any unwanted trips to the vets from your dog diving into your posh box of chocs!
2. Though you may be tempted to plate up your dog’s own Christmas dinner - remember they don’t have the same nutritional requirements as we do. Plant matter should ideally only be 10% of their daily diet and things like stuffing, salted or glazed hams, onions, and gravy can be toxic for your dog. (See the list below for our full list of foods to avoid!) If you’re planning to cook vegetables with other ingredients like oil, salts, sugar, etc - it’s best to keep a small portion to the side to be cooked on their own for your dog. Also, keep In mind that overindulgence can be disastrous for our dogs. Trimmings and gravies that are high in fat can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
3. If your dog is particularly stressed around fireworks or in general has a noise phobia be mindful of their proximity to the table if you are planning to have crackers! Believe it or not, I’ve heard some real horror stories over the years on the groups where dogs have bolted and injured themselves.
4. Be mindful of any bowls of snacks/sweets/nuts that may be left out for people to enjoy - Don't leave the candy bowl or kitchen counter unsupervised and within a paw's reach—even for a moment!
5. Cooked Carcass - remember that the only bones that should be fed to dogs are raw meaty bones and so your cooked carcass should either go straight in the bin OR why not save the bones and make up your dog some nice turkey bone broth?
6. Keep any Christmas decorations that are made out of food salt dough decorations, candy canes, and chocolates - all to the top of your tree where your dog will not be able to reach. Keep in mind that decorations like tinsel & ribbon are a choking hazard and can cause bowel obstruction and perforation. If your dog or puppy is prone to chew electrical cables consider keeping these out of reach or applying a natural bitter spray to stop any unwanted accidents!
7. Keep your cheese and biscuits out of sight of your dog's nose - including your grapes!
8. Don’t be tempted to give your dog any smoked salmon scraps from your champagne breakfast!
9. Decorative plants like mistletoe. Poinsettia's, pine and holly, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal irritation. Use artificial plants or place them well out of reach!
10. If your dog gets particularly nervous around Parties and crowds and you know you will be having a large gathering - consider in extreme cases, allowing your pet to stay with a friend or a neighbor. If your dog is staying at home please make sure your dog has a safe space to escape to where no one will bother them. If your dog's anxiety is less severe consider an all-natural calming supplement like calm Xtra from phytopet or if you use homeopathy, aconite 30c is a good remedy to start with - you can find more help on this here
11. Make sure you make a note of your local emergency out-of-hours vet just in case your dog does get hold of something they shouldn't - this way you don't have to search around for a phone number and already know who to call! It's also worthwhile keeping a note of the poison helpline such as www.animalpoisonhelpline.co.uk - 01202509000 if you’re in the UK and in the USA the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435.
12. Lots of Christmas treats may contain vegetable glycerin - this isn’t too harmful in moderation but it’s worth remembering that it doesn’t take much of this ingredient to cause digestive upset & can result in diarrhea. Check the ingredients of treats you have purchased if these are something that you wouldn’t usually and especially if they have been gifted to your dog by someone else! You can read more about our stance on this ingredient by heading to our dog treat article linked here
The Naughty List
Here is our naughty list - foods to definitely avoid feeding to your dog;
Mince pies, Pumpkin Pies, stollen & Christmas pudding - currants, grapes, sultanas, and raisins
can be toxic to dogs, and ingestion of even a small quantity can cause severe kidney failure. They also have other harmful ingredients like flour, suet, sugar flavorings and alcohol etc - it’s best avoided at all costs.
Gravy
Usually very high In salt so is best avoided as well as other herbs like onion etc that can be toxic for your dog.
Cheese, Cream & brandy butters/creams
Dogs struggle to digest most forms of dairy, whether it is milk, cream, or cheese. Dogs simply haven’t been weaned by cows and are ill-equipped to deal with casein or lactose (the protein and milk sugar found in dairy). Symptoms associated with dairy consumption include itchy skin, allergies, and leaky gut. An exception to this is kefir. It contains beneficial probiotics, without the downfalls of lactose. Goat’s milk, kefir, however, is not a panacea for all dogs.
Stuffing
Often high in fat, and sodium and can sometimes contain onions or onion powder. Avoid
Chocolate
Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine (a bit like caffeine), which is toxic to dogs. Dogs aren’t able to break down, or metabolize, theobromine as humans can. Theobromine mainly affects a dog’s guts, heart, central nervous system, and kidneys. Darker, purer varieties of chocolate tend to have the highest levels of theobromine but it’s also found in milk chocolate.
Alcohol
Causes a decline in a dog’s immune system. Their blood chemistry is also altered, leading to a dangerous condition called metabolic acidosis where the blood becomes too acidic.
Xylitol
When dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and may result in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. This rapid release of insulin may result in a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), poisonous to dogs
Salt dough
The salt in the dough can cause dogs to vomit, drink lots of water and potentially develop high levels of sodium in the blood. These high levels of sodium in the blood (called hypernatremia) can cause your pet to have seizures and, if left untreated, can cause death.
Rawhide
Very popular this time of year but are made out of highly toxic treated hide. It has been known to cause blockages amongst other things - and is made during a chemical process using chemicals dangerous for our dog's health.
Smoked foods like Gammon, Glazed Hams & Smoked salmon
Often high in salt Smoked foods also contain nitrates and nitrites which are by-products of the smoking process and are harmful to dogs.
Nuts
Not all nuts are created equal! Nuts that are very toxic to your dogs are; macadamia nuts, Brazil Nuts (not toxic but extremely high in fats!), and Flavoured Nuts like honey roasted, salted etc. In addition to potentially dehydrating dogs, the salt, oil, and artificial seasoning in flavored nuts may in some cases be poisonous. Unshelled Nuts, Dogs have a difficult time digesting nutshells, and Unshelled nuts can be dangerous for dogs, as the sharp bits of the shell can damage their digestive system. And last but no means least, old nuts! Eating old nuts is very dangerous for dogs due to the possible presence of mold.
Baked Goods/Dairy
NO baked pies, bread, or other baked desserts, and NO baked goods containing nutmeg or cream of tartar.
Cranberry Sauce
Whilst cranberries are beneficial for our dog's health - if your cranberry sauce contains additional ingredients like sugar and alcohol then this should also be avoided.
Please note; If your dog eats any foods containing raisins, grapes, chocolate, xylitol, onions or macadamia nuts call the out-of-hours vet immediately for advice, even small amounts of these foods can have serious consequences.
The Nice List!
Christmas foods that are beneficial for your dog’s health!
Carrots
Carotenoids - There are more than 600 carotenoids that all act as antioxidants in the body. This means they fight against free radical damage in the cells and the body.
Carotenoids are found in yellow, orange, and red colored fruits and vegetables like squash, carrots, papaya, and canteloupe. They can be converted by the body into retinol, a bioavailable source of vitamin A. This potent antioxidant is beneficial for eye health, immune system function and a healthy heart.
Vitamin A - Enhances immunity and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection. Slows the aging process. Vitamin A also prevents eye problems & promotes normal vision, a properly functioning nervous system, and keeps the heart, lungs, and other organs in dogs working correctly.
Vitamin C - Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in the production of anti-stress hormones. Antioxidants are required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
Vitamin K - Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity.
Potassium - Regulates water balance and muscle function. Important for a healthy nervous system and regular heart rhythm.
Cranberries
vitamin C - Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in the production of anti-stress hormones. Powerful antioxidant - Antioxidants are required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
Flavonoids - have been found to help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease. More than 300 structurally distinct anthocyanins have been identified in nature. Some anthocyanins have anti-inflammatory properties, and some studies are looking at their role in the inhibition of tumor development as well as in diabetes and ulcer treatment. It’s also thought that anthocyanins possess possible anti-viral and anti-microbial properties.
Manganese- Minute quantities of this mineral are needed for healthy nerves, blood sugar regulation, normal bone growth, and thyroid hormone production.
Fibre - serves two purposes. Insoluble fiber bulks up the food and helps it to pass through the colon. And soluble fiber can be prebiotic, which means it feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Vitamin E. Antioxidant helps prevent cancer and heart disease. Prevents cell damage. Reduces blood pressure and promotes healthy skin and hair.
Vitamin K- Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity.
Green Beans
Green beans are rich in dietary fiber as well as vitamins like vitamin C and A, which both support your dog’s immune health. Vitamin A also helps with eye and skin health and is important in bone and teeth formation. Both vitamins A and C have antioxidant properties, so they help control inflammation and slow your dog’s aging process.
Green beans are also a good source of minerals, especially manganese, which supports metabolism and has antioxidant abilities. It also supports bone health and promotes wound healing.
Note: Even a healthy option like green beans must be fed in moderation and it must be remembered that they are not a bean but rather a legume. Too many legumes in a diet can be problematic for many reasons, so it’s worth sticking to a small amount every now and again for dogs with heart issues.
Sweet potatoes
This popular thanksgiving root vegetable is nutrient-dense. They’re packed with Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber—a nutritional punch few tubers can match. They’re also low in calories and fat. Ultimately, sweet potatoes add tasty and nutritional value to your dog’s diet. Sweet potatoes are one of the best sources of vitamin A; a medium one contains more than 100 percent of the daily recommended intake, according to the USDA.
Boiling sweet potatoes retains more beta-carotene, and makes this nutrient easier for the body to absorb, HSPS says. Cooking sweet potatoes with the skin on also helps prevent the loss of nutrients, including vitamin C and beta-carotene.
100g Baked Sweet Potato
86 calories
0.1g of fat
20 g of carbohydrates
3 grams of fiber
4 grams of sugar
1.6 g of protein
Potassium 337mg
Vitamin A 284%
B6 10%
Vitamin C 4%
A note on yams; Another popular thanksgiving food is yams - Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than yams. Sweet potatoes and yams are both healthy foods, and they look similar. Sweet potatoes, however, have higher concentrations of most nutrients and more fiber. We have not included them in our list as gram for gram compared to sweet potatoes they are a lot higher in carbohydrates and have more starch.
Brussel Sprouts
Vitamin A: Enhances immunity and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection. Slows the aging process. Vitamin A also prevents eye problems & promotes normal vision, a properly functioning nervous system, and keeps the heart, lungs, and other organs in dogs working correctly.
Vitamin B1: The Vitamin B family supports proper blood circulation and overall heart health but B1(Thiamine) specifically Promotes growth, improves mental attitude, aids digestion, helps strengthen the nervous system and prevent stress.
Vitamin B2; Riboflavin The Vitamin B family supports proper blood circulation and overall heart health but B2 is specifically Needed for red blood cell formation, aids growth and reproduction promotes hair, skin and nail growth. Important in the prevention and treatment of cataracts.
Vitamin C: An antioxidant that scavenges free radicals. It’s also an excellent tool for strengthening the immune system. Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in the production of anti-stress hormones. Powerful antioxidant - Antioxidants are required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
Broccoli
Full of sulforaphane - activates important systems in your dog’s body that produce antioxidants. These systems are called the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Sulforaphane is the most potent activator of the anti-inflammatory Nrf2 pathway.
Vitamin C - an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals. It’s also an excellent tool for strengthening the immune system. Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in the production of anti-stress hormones.
Powerful antioxidant - Antioxidants are required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
Carotenoids - There are more than 600 carotenoids that all act as antioxidants in the body. This means they fight against free radical damage in the cells and the body.
Carotenoids are found in yellow, orange and red-colored fruits and vegetables like squash, carrots, papaya, and canteloupe. They can be converted by the body into retinol, a bioavailable source of vitamin A. This potent antioxidant is beneficial for eye health, immune system function, and a healthy heart.
Vitamin A - is responsible for Enhancing immunity and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection. Slows the aging process. Vitamin A also prevents eye problems & promotes normal vision, and a properly functioning nervous system, and keeps the heart, lungs, and other organs in dogs working correctly.
Red Cabbage
Vitamin A - Enhances immunity and skin disorders. Important in bone and teeth formation. Protects against colds and infection. Slows the aging process. Vitamin A also prevents eye problems & promotes normal vision, and a properly functioning nervous system, and keeps the heart, lungs, and other organs in dogs working correctly.
Vitamin C - Helps calcium and iron formation. Enhances immunity. Helps prevent cancer. Aids in the production of anti-stress hormones.
Powerful antioxidant - Antioxidants are required for proper tissue growth and repair, and adrenal gland function.
Vitamin K - Promotes healthy liver function. Helps bone formation and repair. Increases longevity.
Choline - Choline has an impact on healthy brain development, heart health, liver and muscle function and also nervous system function.
Vitamin B9 - works to produce red blood cells and helps iron work properly in the body. Controls blood levels of amino acids. Important in pregnant females to lower risk of neural tube birth defects (like cleft palates).
Calcium - Builds and protects bones and teeth. Helps maintain a regular heartbeat. Prevents muscle cramping. Especially in young dogs, it’s important to feed sufficient calcium for bone and muscle development.
Magnesium - Prevents calcification of soft tissue. Helps reduce and dissolve calcium phosphate kidney stones. Helps prevent birth defects. Improves cardiovascular system.
Phosphorus - Needed for teeth and bone formation, nerve impulse transfer, normal heart rhythm, and kidney function.
Potassium - Regulates water balance and muscle function. Important for a healthy nervous system and regular heart rhythm.
Turkey
White or dark meat is both fine to feed - Dogs absolutely love the taste of turkey, and it’s a very rich source of protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and the amino acid tryptophan. Apart from these nutrients, it also contains zinc and vitamin B12. The skinless white meat of turkey is low in fat and is an excellent source of high protein.
It’s also highly digestible and great for dogs’ immune systems making this festive bird the perfect healthy treat for your dog. Along with any other 100% meats as long as they are not cooked with additional ingredients like goose fat etc. Feeding your dog a piece of seasoned turkey may irritate the gut and cause diarrhea and vomiting, or cause sodium poisoning.
We recommend that you avoid feeding your dog the skin as this is usually where the highest amount of sodium and fat is stored and could cause some serious health issues for your pet. If you are going to feed the meat raw Remember supermarket meats should be frozen before feeding see our freezing meat guide here
In Summary;
Remember when it comes to offering your dog "Human" food over the Christmas period - if this is not their sole meal then keep in mind that overindulgence is a thing for our pets too! Help them to enjoy the festive season by Keeping any "extras" in moderation including treats - lots of festive dog treats can often contain glycerin which when eaten too much can cause diarrhea and sickness in our pets.
If you plan on making a Christmas meal for your dog - utilize our safe Christmas foods listed above and avoid the naughty list! When cooking vegetables for your dog, keep in mind that, plant matter should ideally only be 10% of your dog’s daily food allowance. Dogs’ digestive systems can’t break down the cellulose contained in the cell walls of vegetables very well and so, You can help your dog digest their veggies by either steaming them lightly or pureeing the raw vegetables for them.
If you’re planning to cook vegetables for your main Christmas meal with other ingredients like oil, salt, sugar, etc - it’s best to keep a small portion to the side to be cooked on their own for your dog. Just as we always recommend feeding the highest quality of meat you can afford to your dogs, it's best to feed organic veggies and fruits. By doing so you’re avoiding harmful pesticide residues; organic produce also has been found to contain higher levels of antioxidants and is almost 50% lower in toxic heavy metals.
