15 Christmas Foods That Are Unsafe for Dogs

As Michigan Families gather around the table for a tasty Christmas feast, it's important to know that some of our favorite foods can be extremely dangerous to our dogs.

As per the American Kennel Club, our concerns extend beyond the evident dangers such as splintering roasted turkey bones or stuffing containing toxic onions. We must also consider high-fat and salty dishes, along with anything incorporating raisins, grapes, or other substances known to be harmful to dogs.

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Before we explore the list of foods that pose a danger to your dog, let's first discuss some Christmas-safe options that our canine friends can enjoy.

Foods That Are Safe for Dogs on Christmas

Carrots
Celery
Corn (no cob)
Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans
Apples (no core or seeds)
Pumpkin
Rice
Quinoa
A little bit of cheese
Turkey (no skin, fat or bones)

American Kennel Club:

Several common holiday foods that humans can safely eat are unsafe for dogs. These include chocolate, raisins and grapes, Macadamia nuts, and sugarless products containing xylitol. Avoid putting food-containing gifts under the tree, wrapped or unwrapped, when your dogs will be in the room unsupervised.

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What to Do if Your Dog Consumes Any of the Foods Listed Below

Feel free to contact the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 for assistance with any questions or concerns you may have. In case of an emergency, reach out to your local veterinary clinic with weekend and after-hours services.

Christmas Foods That Are Dangerous for Dogs

Avoid giving dogs Christmas table scraps due to the potential toxicity of certain foods like onions and chocolate, the risk of pancreatitis from high-fat dishes, and the hazards of cooked bones splintering. Seasonings and new foods can cause digestive upset.

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Check out these 50 fascinating facts about dogs:

Gallery Credit: Linda Lombardi

LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Gallery Credit: Rachel Cavanaugh