Holiday Hazards: 5 Festive Foods That Could Harm Your Dog This Season

There is nothing we love more than the holidays here at Schmidt House (and yes, we’ve seen that Santa meme).  What’s not to love? It’s a magical time, filled with family, friends, and, of course, treats! But while we humans celebrate by bingeing on gingerbread cookies and candy canes, some of our favorite seasonal snacks can be downright dangerous for our fur babies. As dog lovers, it’s up to us to keep our pups safe amidst the holiday hustle and bustle.

Here are five common holiday foods that can be harmful to dogs and why they’re best kept out of paw’s reach.

Gingerbread houses and cookies are quintessential holiday treats, but did you know that they can pose a serious risk to your dog? Ginger itself isn’t toxic to dogs and can even be beneficial in small amounts - but GINGERBREAD recipes often include nutmeg, which contains myristicin—a compound that can cause hallucinations, increased heart rate, and even seizures in dogs. Additionally, gingerbread is loaded with sugar and fat, which can upset your dog’s stomach – and who wants to deal with that after a night of holiday reveling?!?  If your pup has a sweet tooth, stick to dog-friendly treats instead. PS: You can check out our easy to make Peanut Mutter dog cookie recipe HERE.

We never met a candy cane we didn’t devour but this sweet holiday staple is a huge no-no for dogs. Candy canes often contain peppermint oil, which can irritate your dog’s digestive system, and large amounts of sugar, which can lead to hyperactivity and upset stomachs – and a hyper dog with an upset tummy is no one’s wish list.

Worse though, many candy canes are sweetened with xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, leading to weakness, vomiting, seizures, or even liver failure. Play it safe and keep those candy canes high up on the tree and/or well out of reach. Also, beware of giving your dog holiday cookies that may contain crushed candy canes.

No holiday season is complete without chocolate, but for dogs, it’s one of the most dangerous foods around. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to dogs. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are particularly hazardous because they contain higher concentrations of theobromine. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and in severe cases, tremors or death. If your dog does ingest chocolate, contact your vet immediately.

You might not think twice about snacking on grapes from the charcuterie board or pulling out a few raisins from your holiday fruitcake, but these seemingly harmless fruits can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Even a small amount can be toxic, though the exact reason why raisins and grapes are harmful to dogs remains unknown. Early signs of toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, and decreased appetite. If you suspect your dog has eaten raisins or grapes, seek veterinary care right away – and keep those charcuterie boards out of reach. As for the fruitcake…that’s a personal question – but don’t give it to the dog!

Holiday cheer often includes spiked eggnog or rum-soaked cakes, but alcohol is a serious threat to dogs. Even small amounts can cause alcohol poisoning, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, disorientation, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, coma or death.  Of course, we would all say, “We would never give our dogs alcohol!”  but Aunt Ida just left her glass of spiked eggnog on the coffee table and your dog just helped himself to the entire glass!

Dogs are far more sensitive to alcohol than humans, so even licking a small amount of spilled eggnog can be dangerous. Keep alcoholic beverages and alcohol-infused treats far away from curious canine noses - and keep an eye on where Aunt Ida leaves her glass and dessert plate!

How to Keep Your Dog Safe This Holiday Season

Here are a few tips to ensure your dog stays safe and happy during the festivities:

• Secure the Trash: Dogs are notorious for dumpster diving, especially when the trash smells like leftover turkey or holiday cookies. Use a secure, dog-proof trash can to prevent accidental ingestion.
• Host with a Keen Eye:  Make sure that family and your holiday guests don’t leave food and drinks where a dog can easily get them. Also let your holiday guests know not to share human treats with your dog, no matter how adorable those puppy-dog eyes may be
• Have Dog-Friendly Holiday Treats on Hand: Treat your pup to some holiday cheer with dog-safe snacks like plain cooked turkey, carrots, or specially formulated holiday treats made specifically for dogs.

The holidays are a time for joy and togetherness, and with a little extra care, they can be safe and fun for your dog too. By keeping gingerbread, candy canes, chocolate, grapes, and alcohol-infused treats off the menu, you’re making sure that your dog enjoys the season to the fullest extent – and you do too!

From our home to yours, we wish you and your dog(s) a happy – and safe - holiday season!  Woofs & Wags