What Holiday Foods Can Dogs Eat?

There are many foods you can give your dog to share the holiday fun. However, some should be avoided altogether.

Having a heartwarming conversation around the dining room table and sharing comfort food with loved ones is a picturesque representation of what the holidays have to offer. Here at PetCadet, we understand that your dog is a member of your family and shouldn’t be left out of the holiday celebrations. We’ve compiled a list of holiday foods that you can safely give your dog and holiday foods that you can’t. 

Foods You Can Give Your Dog

It is natural to want to share your favorite part of the holidays with your dog. For most people, food is high on the list of favorite things about the holidays. Here is a list of foods that you can safely give to your dog throughout the holiday season. 

Plain Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes add fiber and many essential vitamins to your dog’s diet. While delicious, it is best to skip the sweet potato casserole and opt for a plain sweet potato for your dog. The added sugar and spices to sweet potato casserole or other sweet potato dishes will make your dog sick. 

Plain Potatoes

Potatoes should be served to your dog in moderation but they should not contain extras like butter, cream, salt, etc. If you want to include your dog in the holiday fun, make sure to pull a few boiled potato pieces out of the pot before mashing them. 

Turkey

Unseasoned turkey meat is a great treat for your dog! Be careful not to give them any skin or bones because it can make them sick and could lead to severe digestive problems. 

Plain Green Beans

Green beans offer a whole host of nutritional benefits to dogs. However, they should be plain, meaning no butter or seasonings. Green bean casserole is not a healthy choice for your dog, unfortunately. 

Pumpkin Puree

While pumpkin puree is perfectly healthy for your dog, be careful not to give them pumpkin pie filling. The two look very similar and in most cases are found next to each other on the shelf at the grocery store. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices that are bad for your dog which can lead to severe consequences. 

Rolls

When given in moderation, and without butter, rolls can be a special treat for your dog. They don’t offer many nutritional benefits, but if you get to splurge during the holiday season, so should your dog. 

Carrots

Carrots are generally a loved food amongst dogs. There’s something about the crunch that they love. That being said, you can give your dog raw or cooked plain carrots, but they will probably prefer raw. 

Corn

Corn is another healthy and safe choice to feed your dog during the holidays. It should be plain with no added butter or seasonings. You should only serve your dog corn off the cob, as the cob poses health risks.

Cranberries

Much like humans, some dogs will like cranberries, and some won’t. It can’t hurt to introduce them to your dog. They are a festive treat that are high in antioxidants. Do not, however, give them cranberry sauce. The added sugar is not a healthy option and may upset their stomachs.

Foods You Shouldn’t Give Your Dog

While these holiday staples are delicious and a welcome treat for humans, they can be very dangerous for your dog. You should keep them out of reach and out of their dog bowls. 

Turkey Bones, Skin, and Drippings

The extra fat in the skin and drippings from your turkey is not healthy for dogs, and you should avoid using them to spoil your dog. While it may seem like giving your dog bones from the turkey would be a great treat, you should avoid it at all costs. Pieces of bone can cause damage to their digestive system, resulting in an expensive trip to the vet. 

Ham

Ham is full of salt, and most baked hams have a sugar glaze. Neither of these things are good for your dog, so you should avoid giving them scraps of ham from your plate over the holiday season. 

Stuffing

Stuffing is loaded with delicious spices. While it is a holiday staple, it can be very dangerous for dogs. Dogs should not have garlic or onion, two staples in stuffing. While a little bit might not hurt them, it is best to avoid it. 

Nuts

Nuts, particularly macadamia nuts, pose serious health risks to dogs. They can cause vomiting, tremors, paralysis, and a rapid heart beat. Even if a particular nut isn’t toxic to dogs, it is best to avoid them altogether because of their fatty nature. 

Salt and Sugar

Many of the things on this list are considered unhealthy for your dog because of the salt and/or sugar content. Salt can cause excessive thirst and urination. Sugar can lead to poor dental health, high blood sugar, and diabetes. 

Butter

Butter is one of the most commonly used ingredients in holiday cooking. It adds warmth, creaminess, and luxuriousness to a meal. Simply put, it is delicious. This being said, it is not a healthy choice to be giving your dog. 

Eggnog

Eggnog is a classic holiday drink that is a major health concern for dogs. The sugar content, the milk, and the raw eggs all pose potential health risks to your dog. The addition of alcohol makes it even more toxic. You should not give your dog any eggnog. 

Spices

To learn more about which spices are safe for your dog.