Looking for more information about what foods your dog can and can't have for this holiday season? Check out our list.

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays! We love this time of year. The early sunset, the cozy blankets, matching pyjamas by the fireplace and all the delicious comfort food. It’s the season of coming together and sharing, we dog lovers especially love to share not only our hearts and our favorite cozy spot on the couch but our treats with our furry friends and what’s more of a treat than a delicious holiday dinner. As tempting as it may be to fix your dog his own Christmas dinner plate that matches yours, some foods are safe for Fido to have but others should be avoided.

Our team has put together a list of dos and don'ts when fixing your dog a holiday dinner plate of his own. 

Seasonings should be avoided

Christmas dinners tend to be overloaded with yummy seasonings which makes them that much tastier and flavorful. But seasonings such as salt, pepper, onion, chives, nutmeg and cocoa powder are harmful to dogs. Instead stick to plain unseasoned safe foods or season his plate's with a gravy conceived for dogs. Don’t worry, your furry friend will still think it’s delicious! 

Foods to avoid

Breads

A warm biscuit or a toasted baguette might be delicious to you, but avoid sharing with your pup as it has no nutritional value. It is filled with carbs and can lead to bloating. Mostly avoid sharing that delicious raisin bread as it contains loads of sugar and raisins can quickly cause kidney failure in your dog.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon and its oils can irritate the inside of dogs’ mouths, making them uncomfortable and sick. It can lower the blood sugar too much and can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, increased, or decreased heart rate, and even liver disease. If they inhale it in powder form, cinnamon can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, and choking so let’s enjoy that cinnamon bun with our human friends instead.

Macadamia nuts

Who doesn’t love a nice slice of white chocolate macadamia nut tart or cookie? Good news, you won’t have to share! No, dogs should never eat macadamia nuts. These are some of the most poisonous foods for dogs. Macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, increased body temperature, inability to walk, and lethargy. Even worse, they can affect the nervous system. No macadamias for your pooch

Bones

Sure, dogs love bones and it’s a great treat! Most raw bones like turkey, lamb and beef are safe to give but avoid giving your dog any cooked bones as they can splinter into shards and cause serious damages to their mouth. Avoid the choking risks by composting cooked bones and leaving them out of your dog’s reach

Mushrooms

Mushrooms themselves aren’t generally bad for your dog. But most likely, your favorite stuffed mushroom recipe will require the white mushrooms sold in grocery stores which don’t contain much nutritional value for your dog. Here’s what to avoid: the mushrooms will rarely be served with no seasoning or stuffing whatsoever. Unless the mushroom is plain and given in small quantities, don’t take the risk of feeding them to your dog. The dog just doesn’t benefit from them.

Peppermint

We know that picture of your golden retriever in a Santa hat holding a candy cane in his mouth by the tree is going to make a really cute Xmas card and get tons of ´ awwwws ´ on Instagram. There is an issue, though. Too much peppermint could cause diarrhea, vomiting, liver or kidney problems. avoid any peppermint candy or products that contain xylitol or pennyroyal oil. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Just to be safe, hang the candy canes a little higher in the tree this year.

Foods your dog can safely have

Cranberries

Not the entire pie! Both fresh and dried cranberries are safe to give your dog. Medium-sized dogs can potentially have a few cranberries per day. If your furry friend is smaller, stick to one or two.

Carrots

Absolutely! Raw carrots are great for your dog's teeth and make an excellent fiber snack. They are low-calorie and a good source of vitamin A. Whether you give it to them raw or cooked, make sure they are bite-sized to avoid any choking.

Green beans

Chopped, steamed, raw, or canned — all types of green beans are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are plain. If you plan on making your famous green bean casserole, set a few aside for your fur baby before adding the seasoning

Turkey

Throwing your dog bits of turkey while you prep your holiday dinner can be a perfectly good and healthy treat, but not all parts of the turkey are safe. White meat and dark meat are both safe for your dog. However, the white meat is leaner and is more protein-dense than the dark meat portions. Avoid giving the neck as it may contain some bones, as mentioned above, cooked bones are not to be given to your dog.

Fish

Not serving a turkey for the holidays? Good news. Your dog will certainly enjoy some Tuna, salmon, whitefish or cod. Fish is a healthy source of omega-3 and is often included in commercial dog food as an alternative protein source. Watch out how it is prepared though. Fish cooked in too much oil can cause upset stomach’s in dogs, or even lead to something more serious such as pancreatitis. Seasonings may also cause serious health problems for dogs, especially if they contain toxic ingredients, like garlic. Again, watch out for bones.

If you know your dog loves salmon but you are preparing it differently, opt for a salmon flavored gravy topper for his regular food such as Dogsnob 5-1 multivitamin steak & salmon gravy topper. This way best bud can enjoy his version of your special holiday meal in all safety.

Duck

Yummy! Duck roast is a staple for the holidays around here and our dogs love the annual treat. Duck meat is high in protein and contains high levels of iron, along with amino acids that can benefit your dog’s muscles. Avoid serving any of the duck skin to your dog due to the higher levels of fat in that area.

Moderation is Key

Whatever you decide to treat your dog with this holiday season, never give cooked bones, always give in moderation and give small portions to test allergies. Nobody wants a sick puppy for Christmas. Most of all, enjoy every moment of exploring your dog's palate.

Our recommendation

If your doggos love your holiday ingredients like salmon and turkey, try adding a gravy topper to their regular everyday diet. Check out all of our products. You can also take a look at our brand-new cookbook filled with advice and recipes for your pet.