Medically reviewed by Dr. Dean Severidt, Director of Medical Excellence, on September 29, 2026
The holidays are such a wonderful time of year. Family and friends gather, kitchens are buzzing, and delicious food seems to be everywhere.
It's also a time when people tend to slip their pets a few extra table scraps. Those hopeful eyes under the table can be hard to resist. And while an occasional bite may be fine, some holiday foods can cause stomach upset, illness, or more serious problems.
Whether it's Halloween, you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner, or a Christmas gathering, the team at Wolf Pack Canine in Salem, NH wants your holidays to be safe for every family member, including the four-legged ones.
Holiday Foods to Keep Away from Your Pet
There are plenty of foods on the holiday table that your pet doesn't need to share. A few foods deserve extra attention during the holidays.
Are fatty and rich foods bad for dogs and cats?
Holiday meals tend to be much richer than your pet's regular food. Fatty foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea and may contribute to pancreatitis in some pets.
Gravy, fatty meat scraps, turkey skin, butter-heavy dishes, and other rich foods are best left off your pet's plate. A small piece of plain, cooked turkey without seasoning or bones may be an appropriate treat for some pets. Just keep the portion small and skip the extras.
Can dogs eat turkey or chicken bones?
No. Never give your dog or cat turkey, holiday ham, or chicken bones. Bones can injure the mouth or digestive tract and may cause an obstruction if swallowed.
When the meal is over, put leftover bones directly into a securely covered garbage can. Don't leave them on a plate or toss them into an open trash can where your resourceful dog can help themselves.
Are onions, garlic, and chives toxic to dogs and cats?
Yes. Onions, garlic, and chives are found in many holiday dishes, including stuffing, gravy, sauces, and seasoned vegetables. These ingredients can irritate the digestive system and damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Cats are particularly sensitive, but dogs can also be affected, which means the stuffing that smells so good to you isn't a good treat for your pet.
If you're not sure what's in a dish, don't share it. Check the ingredients before sharing any holiday food, especially dishes that contain sauces, seasonings, or prepared mixes.
Are grapes and raisins toxic to dogs and cats?
Grapes and raisins may seem like harmless fruit, but they can cause kidney damage in dogs and cats. They're especially easy to overlook during the holidays because they can turn up in fruit salads, breads, cakes, and other baked goods.
Keep grapes, raisins, and foods containing them away from your pet. If your dog or cat eats them, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control service for advice rather than waiting to see if symptoms develop.
Is chocolate dangerous for dogs and cats?
Yes. Chocolate, a common find in Halloween candy bowls and holiday baking, can be toxic to dogs and cats. The darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration of the compounds that can cause problems, so baking chocolate and cocoa powder are particularly concerning.
Some sugar-free candies, baked goods, and other products may contain xylitol, a sweetener that can cause dangerously low blood sugar and potentially liver damage in dogs.
Keep candy and other sweets well out of reach. A bowl sitting on a low coffee table may be just as tempting to your dog as a plate left on the kitchen counter.
Is alcohol dangerous for dogs and cats?
Yes. Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, and other serious effects in pets, so it's best kept well out of reach.
Holiday celebrations often include wine, cocktails, beer, and other alcoholic drinks. Don't leave drinks unattended where a curious dog or cat can reach them, and be sure to clean up spills right away.
Is cinnamon safe for dogs and cats?
Cinnamon is a common ingredient in holiday desserts, so you may wonder whether it's safe for your pet.
Cinnamon isn't in the same category of danger as foods such as chocolate, onions, or grapes. But that doesn't mean a cinnamon roll or holiday dessert is a good choice for your pet. Large amounts of cinnamon can cause irritation, and holiday desserts may contain other ingredients that aren't safe.
The bottom line? Don't judge a holiday treat by one ingredient. Check the whole recipe before sharing.
Can My Dog or Cat Have Thanksgiving or Christmas Food?
Of course. You don't have to keep your pet completely away from the kitchen on holidays. If you want to share, a small amount of plain, cooked turkey or ham without bones or seasoning may be appropriate for some pets.
Every pet's digestive system is different, though. Even a small taste of something outside their usual diet can cause diarrhea or vomiting in pets who are more sensitive to change. If your dog or cat has a history of an upset stomach, or you're not sure how they'll react, the safest choice is to skip the human food entirely and stick to their regular food and treats.
A great tip is to set aside a small portion of a pet-safe food before adding butter, gravy, sauces, or seasonings. The important thing is to avoid turning the holiday meal into your pet's second dinner.
What Should I Do If My Dog or Cat Eats Something They Shouldn't?
Even careful pet parents can have an accident. A piece of chocolate falls on the floor. Someone leaves a plate within reach. The garbage gets raided.
If your pet gets into something they shouldn't, don't guess what to do. Contact your veterinary team for guidance. Here are a few steps to follow.
1. Remove your pet and gather information.
Keep your pet away from whatever they got into and find out what they ate.
Save the package, recipe, or ingredient list if you have it. Try to determine how much was eaten and when it happened. Your veterinarian or a veterinary poison-control professional may also need to know your pet's age, weight, and health history.
2. Call your veterinarian or a pet poison-control.
Don't wait for symptoms if your pet has eaten something potentially toxic. Some substances can cause problems before your pet appears sick.
You can contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital, or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (a consultation fee may apply).
3. Don't induce vomiting without guidance.
Home remedies aren't always safe. Contact your veterinarian or a veterinary poison-control service first and follow their instructions.
If your pet is unconscious, having trouble breathing, bleeding, or having seizures, go directly to an emergency veterinary hospital for immediate care.
Holiday Pet Safety Tips for Salem Pet Parents
Here at Wolf Pack Canine, we don't expect you to keep your dog or cat out of the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the feast. A little planning can make it easier to include them safely.
Remember, keep candy and other sweets out of reach. Ask guests not to give your dog or cat food without checking with you first. Keep bones and food scraps in a securely covered garbage can. And if you'd like to give your dog or cat a special treat, choose something you already know is appropriate for them.
You may even want to give them their own treat while everyone sits down to eat. That way, they can be part of the celebration without getting into foods that may make them sick.
If you're unsure whether something your dog or cat ate is safe, contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 for guidance.
If Halloween doorbell traffic has your dog on edge, or you're hosting overnight guests for Thanksgiving or Christmas, ask about boarding or day camp at Wolf Pack Canine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Pet Food Safety
Which holiday foods are safe for my pet?
A small amount of plain, cooked turkey or ham, without skin, bones, or seasoning, may be appropriate for some pets. Plain 100% pumpkin puree, plain sweet potato, or a plain, baked or boiled potato, all without added spices or toppings, can also be fine in small amounts. Skip pumpkin pie filling, candied sweet potato casserole, and mashed or loaded potatoes, since these usually contain ingredients that aren't safe. Set portions aside before adding sauces or toppings and keep the amount small, so it doesn't replace a regular meal. When in doubt about an ingredient, it's safest to skip sharing that dish altogether. And if your dog or cat tends to have a sensitive stomach, even safe foods like plain turkey can cause an upset, so it may be best to skip human food entirely.
What human foods are dangerous for dogs and cats during the holidays?
Common concerns include fatty or rich foods, bones, onions and garlic, grapes and raisins, chocolate, xylitol (found in some sugar-free treats), and alcohol. When in doubt, check the full ingredient list before sharing anything from the table.
Can dogs or cats have turkey?
A small piece of plain, cooked turkey without skin, seasoning, or bones may be an appropriate treat for some pets. Skip the gravy, butter, and extra fat, and always remove bones before sharing, since they can injure the mouth or digestive tract.
My dog ate chocolate. What do I do?
Don't wait to see if symptoms develop. Remove any remaining chocolate from your dog and try to figure out how much they ate and what kind, since darker chocolate and baking chocolate are more concerning than milk chocolate. Contact your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 right away for guidance based on your dog's size and how much they had.
What should I do if my dog or cat eats something they shouldn't?
Remove your pet from the food, gather information about what and how much they ate, and contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control service right away. Don't wait for symptoms to appear. Don't try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinary professional tells you to.
Sources
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2026). People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2019). What to Do if Your Pet Is Poisoned. ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/news/what-do-if-your-pet-poisoned
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2023). My Pet Ate Something! When Should I Seek Help? ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/news/my-pet-ate-something-when-should-i-seek-help
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (2026). ASPCA Poison Control. ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control
American Kennel Club. (2024). Thanksgiving Foods for Dogs: What They Can and Can't Eat. AKC. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/thanksgiving-foods-for-dogs/