Holiday Table Foods That Can Harm Dogs and Cats: What Pet Owners Should Know

The holiday season brings warm gatherings, festive meals, and delicious treats—but while we enjoy our favorite dishes, our pets are often right beside us hoping for a bite. Unfortunately, many holiday foods can be harmful—or even toxic—to dogs and cats. Understanding what’s dangerous (and what’s safe in moderation) can help keep your pets healthy and avoid emergency veterinary visits.

Why Holiday Table Foods Can Be Dangerous

Dogs and cats have digestive systems that aren’t built to handle rich, fatty, salty, or heavily seasoned holiday meals. Even small amounts can cause health issues such as:

1. Gastrointestinal Upset

Common symptoms include:

• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Gas
  
• Abdominal pain
  

Foods like bacon, butter, turkey skin, and garlic bread often trigger stomach upset.

2. Pancreatitis

High-fat foods—such as ham, gravy, buttery dishes, and fatty meats—can inflame the pancreas.
Symptoms include:

• Repeated vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Painful or hunched posture
  
• Lethargy
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Fever
  

Pancreatitis can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization.

3. Toxic Reactions

Some foods are dangerous even in tiny amounts. Below are the most hazardous holiday foods for pets.

Common Holiday Foods That Are Toxic to Dogs and Cats

1. Chocolate (Dark, Milk, and White Chocolate)

Chocolate contains methylxanthines – such as caffeine and theobromine, which are toxic to pets.

• Dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are the most dangerous.
  
• White chocolate contains much less toxin but still isn’t safe.
  

Symptoms:

• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Restlessness
  
• Tremors or seizures
  

Why can’t dogs have chocolate? Their bodies cannot process theobromine, causing toxic buildup.

2. Xylitol

A sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, candies, baked goods, and some types of peanut butter or almond butter.

Symptoms:

• Sudden weakness
  
• Vomiting
  
• Tremors
  
• Seizures
  

Xylitol can cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.

3. Grapes & Raisins

Used in salads, desserts, breads, and holiday snacks.
Even a single grape  or raisin can cause kidney failure.

Symptoms:

• Vomiting
  
• Lethargy
  
• Increased thirst
  
• Kidney failure
  

Why can’t dogs have grapes? The exact toxin is unknown, but even tiny amounts can cause organ failure.

4. Onions, Garlic, Leeks & Chives (Allium Family)

Found in stuffing, casseroles, gravies, mashed potatoes, soups, and seasonings such as onion powder or garlic powder.

These foods damage red blood cells, causing anemia.

Symptoms:

• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Pale gums
  
• Rapid breathing
  
• Weakness
  

Can dogs have onions, cooked onions, or garlic?
No—all forms are unsafe.

5. Alcohol (Including Raw Bread Dough)

Fermenting dough produces alcohol in the stomach, leading to toxicity.

Symptoms:

• Disorientation
  
• Vomiting
  
• Weakness
  
• Low body temperature
  
• Seizures
  

6. Cooked Bones

Turkey bones, cooked beef bones, and ham bones splinter easily.

Risks:

• Choking
  
• Throat or stomach injury
  
• GI blockage
  
• Intestinal perforation
  

7. Fatty Meats, Skin, Butter & Gravies

These foods commonly trigger vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis.
Items to avoid include:

• Turkey bacon
  
• Raw bacon
  
• Lunch meat
  
• Turkey skin
  
• Butter-soaked dishes
  

8. Macadamia Nuts

Common in holiday cookies.

Symptoms:

• Weakness
  
• Tremors
  
• Vomiting
  
• Difficulty walking
  

9. Other Popular Holiday Foods to Avoid

• Cranberry sauce (high sugar)
  
• Garlic bread
  
• Crab meat (often seasoned, high sodium)
  
• Sourdough bread (fermentation risk if raw)
  

Safe Holiday Treat Alternatives

If you want to include your pet in the celebration, offer:

Holiday Food Safety Q&A

Can dogs have grapes or green grapes?

No. All grapes—green, red, or seedless—can cause sudden kidney failure.

Can dogs have raisins?

No. Raisins are just dried grapes and are equally toxic.

Can dogs have onions, cooked onions, or onion powder?

No. Any form of onion can damage red blood cells.

Can dogs have garlic or garlic powder?

No. Garlic is even more toxic than onions.

Can dogs have chocolate or white chocolate?

No. Chocolate toxicity depends on the type, but all chocolate is unsafe for pets. Dark chocolate is the most dangerous.

How much chocolate can a dog have?

None. Even small amounts may cause symptoms. Contact a vet immediately if ingested.

Can dogs have sweet potatoes or sweet potato?

Yes—plain and cooked only. No butter, sugar, or marshmallows. Raw sweet potatoes are difficult to digest and should be avoided.

Can dogs have mashed potatoes?

Only plain, without butter, salt, garlic, or seasoning.

Can dogs have turkey?

Yes—plain, cooked turkey without bones or skin. Turkey bones are dangerous and can splinter.

Can dogs have peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter?

Yes—if it is xylitol-free. Limit the amount to prevent stomach upset.

Can dogs have almond butter?

Sometimes—plain and in very small amounts only. Avoid flavored or sweetened types.

Can dogs have bacon or raw bacon?

No. Bacon (cooked or raw) is too fatty and salty.

Can dogs have bread or sourdough bread?

Plain, small amounts are usually safe, but raw dough is dangerous. Avoid seasoned breads like garlic bread.

Can dogs have ground turkey?

Yes—plain, fully cooked, and unseasoned.

Can dogs have cranberry sauce?

Not recommended. It’s often high in sugar.

Can dogs have macadamia nuts?

No. They are toxic to dogs.

Can dogs have crab meat?

Plain cooked crab meat without seasoning may be safe in small amounts, but seasoned holiday crab dishes should be avoided.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Call your veterinarian or an emergency hospital immediately if your pet:

• Ate any toxic food
  
• Is vomiting repeatedly
  
• Has abdominal pain
  
• Seems unusually lethargic
  
• Shows tremors or seizures
  
• Collapses
  

Early treatment is critical.