Holiday foods dogs can't eat

By Your Dog Magazine editors · Updated Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

The holidays are when dogs get into the most trouble: plates left on low tables, guests sharing scraps, and desserts full of chocolate and raisins. Here is what to keep away from your dog, from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and Texas A&M's veterinary college. If your dog eats something on this list, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

The holiday table: what to keep away

Food	Why it is a problem
Cooked turkey and ham bones	Cooked bones become brittle and can splinter, causing choking, a blockage or a puncture in the gut.
Turkey skin, gravy, ham, buttery sides	High fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea and can trigger pancreatitis, a serious illness.
Stuffing, gravy and anything with onion or garlic	Onions, garlic and their relatives damage red blood cells and can cause anemia.
Grapes and raisins (in stuffing, fruitcake, cookies)	Can cause kidney failure in dogs. See my dog ate grapes.
Raw bread or roll dough	Dough rises in the stomach and the yeast makes alcohol: bloating and alcohol poisoning.
Chocolate (pies, cookies, candy)	Theobromine is toxic, and darker chocolate is worse. Check the dose with our chocolate calculator.
Sugar-free desserts, gum, some peanut butter (xylitol)	Xylitol can drop blood sugar fast and cause seizures and liver failure. See xylitol and dogs.
Macadamia nuts	Weakness, vomiting, tremors and overheating in dogs.
Alcohol	Even small amounts can cause vomiting, breathing trouble, tremors and seizures.
Raw batter with eggs	Raw eggs can carry Salmonella.
Plastic wrap, foil, string and the trash	Easy to swallow with food scraps and can block the gut.

What dogs can have

A few small pieces of plain, boneless, skinless, fully cooked turkey breast are fine for most dogs, with no gravy or seasoning. Plain cooked green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes and canned plain pumpkin are good alternatives to fatty leftovers. Keep treats small: food that is very different from your dog's usual diet is the most common cause of holiday vomiting and diarrhea, according to Texas A&M.

Holiday plants

Poinsettias are only mildly toxic. They can cause drooling, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea, which usually settle on their own.
Holly (leaves and berries) can cause significant stomach upset, drooling and head shaking.
Mistletoe usually causes mild stomach upset, but large amounts can be dangerous, so keep it out of reach.

Easy ways to keep your dog safe

Tell guests not to feed the dog, and put a note on the buffet if you need to.
Clear plates and carving boards right away, and take out the trash (bones and string go straight to an outdoor bin).
Keep chocolate gifts, cookie tins and handbags with gum off the floor and low tables.
Give your dog a quiet room and a chew of their own during the meal.

If your dog ate something

Call your vet, an emergency clinic, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 (fees may apply). Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Keep the packaging so you can say what and how much was eaten.

Sources

Checked October 17, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can dogs eat turkey at Thanksgiving?

A few small pieces of plain, boneless, skinless, fully cooked turkey are fine for most dogs. Skip the skin, gravy, stuffing and bones.

Can dogs eat ham?

Ham is high in fat and salt, and ham bones can splinter, so it is best avoided. Fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis.

Are poinsettias poisonous to dogs?

Only mildly. The Pet Poison Helpline says they may cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhea that usually goes away on its own.

What should I do if my dog ate a turkey bone?

Call your vet. Watch for vomiting, a swollen belly, straining or lethargy. Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.