🎄 Keep you dog safe this Christmas

 🎄 What’s Poisonous to Dogs at Christmas — and What To Do If Your Dog Eats It

The festive season is full of delicious food, sparkling decorations, and family fun — but for dogs, it’s also a time full of hidden dangers. Many Christmas foods, plants, and decorations are poisonous to dogs, and even a small bite can cause serious illness.

This guide explains what’s poisonous to dogs over Christmas and what to do if your dog eats something toxic, so you can keep your furry friend safe all season long.

🍫 Toxic Christmas Foods for Dogs

1. Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the most common Christmas dangers for dogs. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, restlessness, rapid heart rate, and seizures.

• Dark and baking chocolate are the most toxic.

• Even small amounts can be dangerous.

👉 If your dog eats chocolate, call your vet or an emergency poison helpline immediately.

2. Grapes, Raisins & Sultanas

Found in mince pies, Christmas pudding, and fruitcake, these fruits can cause sudden kidney failure in dogs.

• Toxicity is unpredictable — even a few can be deadly. Even if your furry friend has eaten them before and been OK, the unpredictability of grapes is still a real danger to dogs. 

• Avoid sharing any fruit-based desserts or leftovers.

3. Alcohol

We may enjoy a tipple over the Christmas period, however, alcohol is highly toxic to dogs and can cause low blood sugar, seizures, and coma.
Even small amounts from drinks or alcohol-soaked desserts can lead to poisoning.

Keep glasses and bottles well out of reach, especially the sweet variety like sloe gin or the fruit from mulled wine!

4. Onions, Garlic, Leeks & Chives

Common in Christmas gravies, sauces, and stuffing, these ingredients can damage your dog’s red blood cells and cause anaemia.

Symptoms may include vomiting, weakness, and pale gums.

5. Xylitol (Artificial Sweetener)

This is not specific to Christmas, but xylitol is a real hidden danger throughout the home and out and about. It is found in sugar-free sweets, chewing gum, and peanut butter. Xylitol causes a sudden drop in blood sugar and liver failure.

Look out for trembling, vomiting, or loss of coordination — and call your vet immediately.

6. Cooked Bones & Fat Trimmings

Cooked bones can splinter and cause internal injuries, while fatty leftovers may lead to pancreatitis.

Stick to dog-safe treats and avoid table scraps.

During a time of colour, cheer and good will, often we receive plants as presents, or we may want to decorate our house. There are some plants which we want to keep an eye on to prevent our fury friends from chewing on (especially puppies!). A short, non exhaustive list can be found below:

🌿 Poisonous Christmas Plants for Dogs

Keep plants and decorations safely out of reach of curious pets.

🚨 What To Do If Your Dog Eats Something Toxic

1. Stay calm but act fast.
   Find out what and how much your dog ate, and when. Timing is vital, as after a short time the poison is digested and absorbed, and there is little your vet can do to prevent the poisoning - they can only provide supportive treatment. So - seek veterinary advice promptly!

2. Don’t make your dog vomit unless a vet specifically instructs you. Some substances can cause more damage when vomited back up.

3. Call your vet or an emergency poison helpline:

   • UK: Animal PoisonLine – 01202 509000

4. Follow professional advice carefully.
   You may need to monitor your dog or visit the vet right away.

5. Bring packaging or samples to the vet to help identify the toxin faster.

🎁 How To Prevent Dog Poisoning at Christmas

The best form of treatment is prevention so here are a few simple steps you can take to help keep your dog safe this Christmas!

• Store all festive foods securely and away from pets. Remember - some pets are very determined!!

• Dispose of leftovers and packaging immediately responsibly.

• Don’t leave edible gifts under the tree - especially chocolates.

• Don't have edible decorations in easy reach 

• Remind guests not to feed your dog scraps.

• Supervise dogs around decorations and candles.

🐾 A Safe and Merry Christmas for Your Dog

Knowing what’s poisonous to dogs at Christmas and how to respond quickly can make all the difference. With a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the holidays while keeping your dog safe and happy.

After all, a healthy, tail-wagging dog is the best Christmas gift of all. 🎅🐶