It’s that time of year again — the tree’s up, the snacks are out, and your dog is giving you that I’m basically starving look (even though they just had breakfast). But before you share your plate, here’s a gentle reminder that some of our favourite Christmas treats can spell trouble for your furry friend.  And here are some tips on what to swap it with instead:

Chocolate, Coffee & Caffeine

We know, chocolate is basically its own food group at Christmas. But for dogs, it’s a fast track to an emergency vet visit. The caffeine and theobromine in chocolate can cause everything from tummy upsets to serious illness.

The swap: Keep the choc for yourself and give your dog a carob treat instead – they’ll think it’s just as fancy. 

Grapes, Raisins & All Those “Festive Fruits”

Christmas cake, mince pies, and puddings might smell amazing, but raisins, currants, and sultanas are bad news for dogs – even tiny amounts can hurt their kidneys.

The swap: If your dog’s staring longingly at dessert, give them a dog-safe cookie or a few blueberries instead.

Onions, Garlic & Anything in Gravy

All those rich, savoury smells from roasts and stuffings? Delicious for us, not so great for dogs. Onions and garlic can damage their red blood cells, and that creamy gravy can upset their stomachs.

The swap: Offer a bit of plain cooked turkey or veggies instead (no seasoning or sauce).

Cooked Bones

It’s tempting to toss your oodle the turkey or ham bone, but cooked bones can splinter and cause serious damage.

The swap: Give them a chew made for dogs, or one of those long-lasting treat sticks to keep them busy while you clean up.

Fatty & Greasy Leftovers

Turkey skin, ham, roast fat – all the good stuff for us, but not for dogs. Rich, greasy food can cause sore tummies or even pancreatitis.

The swap: Stick to their regular food and add a little plain meat for something special. They’ll feel spoilt without the side effects.

Nuts, Raw Dough & Sugar-Free Sweets

Macadamias (an Aussie favourite) are super toxic to dogs. Raw dough can puff up in their stomachs. And sugar-free treats with xylitol can make them seriously sick.

The swap: If you’re baking, make a mini dog-friendly batch on the side

Alcohol & Festive Mishaps

A cheeky lick of champagne or a taste of trifle might seem harmless, but alcohol, caffeine, and rich desserts don’t mix well with dogs. And don’t forget the decorations – tinsel, wrapping paper, and ribbons are not chew toys (even if they sparkle).

The swap: Keep their paws off the party table and set them up with a Christmas-themed toy or frozen treat instead.

Dog-Friendly Festive Fun

Let your pup join in the celebrations safely:

• Make a doggy “Christmas dinner” with plain turkey and steamed veggies.
• Freeze some yoghurt drops or watermelon cubes for a cool treat.
• Wrap a new toy in tissue paper so they can “unwrap” their own gift.
• Go for an early morning walk before the madness starts — less chaos, more cuddles.

Keep It Simple (and Safe)

If you wouldn’t feed it to a baby, don’t feed it to your dog. Pop the leftovers away, brief the guests, and keep a stash of dog-friendly snacks handy.

This Xmas, let’s keep the festive chaos fun – no tummy troubles, no vet trips, just wagging tails and naps under the air-con.

From all of us at 3 Spoilt Dogs, have a safe, sunny, and very spoilt Christmas!