Christmas holidays mean extra food for a lot of humans. Pets are often fed leftover human food, which can sometimes be harmful to them. Here are some toxic foods dogs shouldn’t eat over Christmas.

1. Chocolate
Many dogs are drawn to the taste of chocolate, but it can be highly toxic to them.
Chocolate contains two harmful substances: theobromine and caffeine. Unlike humans, dogs cannot metabolise or break down theobromine effectively, which is what makes it dangerous.
Signs your dog has eaten chocolate
Signs of chocolate ingestion in pets can include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Restlessness or agitation
- Panting
- Racing heart
- Increased thirst and urination
- In severe cases, seizures, which can become life-threatening
It’s crucial to keep chocolate out of reach. If your dog does eat chocolate, seek immediate veterinary care.

2. Anything with sultanas, like Christmas pudding
Sultanas, raisins and grapes can be toxic to pets and they’re often hidden in holiday foods like Christmas cake, pudding, mince pies, chocolate covered sultanas, fruit mixes or cheese platters.
While the exact toxic dose — how much a dog needs to eat to become sick — and mechanism are not fully understood, it’s crucial to prevent accidental ingestion during the festive season. These fruits can cause gastrointestinal upset and more seriously, acute kidney failure which can potentially be life threatening.
Signs your dog has eaten sultanas, raisins, or grapes
Signs of poisoning can develop within 24 hours, but some pets may not show symptoms immediately.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite or reluctance to eat
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst and urination
Early veterinary intervention is best, so if your pet has ingested grapes, raisins or sultanas, don’t delay and contact your trusted veterinarian.

3. Christmas ham & leftovers
It’s tempting to share the holiday treats with our pets but offering them ham, sausages, or fatty leftovers can be harmful. Many of these foods contain high levels of fat and salt, which can be too much for your dog’s digestive system. This can lead to upset stomachs including vomiting and diarrhoea. The high salt content in ham can cause dehydration and severe illness if fed in large amounts.
In some cases, consuming rich, fatty foods can also irritate your dog’s pancreas, potentially causing inflammation known as pancreatitis, which can make them very sick.
Signs of pancreatitis in dogs
Symptoms of pancreatitis may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or seeming flat
- A swollen or painful abdomen
- General discomfort

4. Meat on BBQ skewers & cooked bones
Never feed your pet meat still on a BBQ skewer, or any food containing cooked bones.
BBQ skewers can pose a serious risk as they can puncture the digestive tract and cause life threatening internal injuries. It is also a good idea to dispose of skewers quickly in a doggy proof bin away from curious noses!
Bones can splinter and cause serious damage to the digestive system by causing intestinal obstruction and perforation. If this happens, it can quickly become life threatening. Bones can also crack your pet’s teeth.
For these reasons, it’s crucial to never feed your pet cooked bones or food on skewers.

5. Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are a popular treat around Christmas, often found on their own, in biscuits or as part of other holiday goodies. However, they are toxic to dogs.
Signs your dog has eaten macadamia nuts
Symptoms of macadamia nut ingestion typically appear within 3 to 24 hours and may include:
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Unsteady movements (wobbliness)
- Painful limbs
- Tremors
Since there is no known antidote for macadamia nut toxicity, if you suspect your dog has eaten any, it’s important to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
Other festive foods to avoid
While this list contains many common festive foods that dogs shouldn’t eat over Christmas, it is not exhaustive. Other popular festive foods to avoid include:
- Onions and garlic
- Avocados and other stone fruits
- Stuffing
- Gravy
- Nutmeg
- Alcohol

What should you do if your dog eats something dangerous?
If you suspect that your dog has consumed something they shouldn’t have, contact your local Greencross Vets or closest emergency vet for advice.