Your Pet’s Holiday Food Guide: What’s Safe & What’s Not
The holidays again. In all the excitement and fun, it’s only natural to want to give your furry family members a little taste of the festivities. While it may be tempting to share your holiday feast with your pets, there may be some foods on your table that can make them sick – or worse.
Some foods we humans eat without incident can actually cause serious problems for your pet. Conscientious pet owners are typically full of questions this time of the year. What holiday dog food is safe? Is turkey safe for cats? Can dogs have salt and pepper?
In this guide, we’ll address these questions, identify some popular pet friendly holiday foods, and more, so that you and your pet can have a safe, happy holiday season.
Understanding Your Pet’s Digestive System
Pets don’t process food the same as humans do because their digestive system is different.
- Chewing – Unlike humans who have molars for grinding, cats, and dogs have sharp teeth that shred and tear food. However, they don’t do much chewing.
- Digestive enzymes – The digestive enzymes in human saliva help to grInd and moisten food to break it down as it enters the stomach. Cats and dogs do not have these enzymes so that portion of digestion occurs in the stomach.
- Stomach – The stomachs of cats and dogs have the ability to expand, allowing them to store larger amounts of food at a time. This is to compensate for the lack of chewing, leaving the stomach to handle more of the digestive process.
- Digestive acid – Because cats and dogs don’t really chew their food, it has to be broken down elsewhere in the body. They produce significantly more stomach acid than humans do – as much as 100 times more. This allows them to break down food that has not been chewed, and break down proteins so they can move through the digestive system safely
- Length of intestines – Cat and dog intestines are shorter than the intestines of humans so there is a higher, faster absorption rate. Intestines in both animals and humans can absorb toxins as well as nutrients, but humans absorb them more slowly. In animals though, the quicker absorption rate can turn toxin exposure into intestinal blockages and poisoning. This can lead to gastrointestinal issues, obstructions, pancreatitis, bloat, and infections.
Even holiday foods on the “safe” list can be high in fat, salt, and sugar. However, most food on the holiday table typically has ingredients that can be harmful, and even fatal, to pets. Even foods deemed OK can still be toxic in large amounts, so portion control is essential.
Common Holiday Foods to Avoid for Pet Safety
Many traditional holiday foods can present significant risks to your pet’s health. The effects can range from nausea and vomiting to death. You can’t just look at the food, you have to look at the ingredients in the food. Read the labels, even if you don’t think there is a problem. Double-check recipes to make sure there are no “food offenders” in the ingredients.
The Fig app allows you to create several profiles and you can list the ingredients that you want to avoid. If you are shopping for the holidays and plan to share your food with your pet, it may help to create a profile for them and add these “food offenders” listed below. That way, you can scan foods while you shop and the app will alert you of foods that contain those ingredients. It’s like having a second set of eyes to help you keep your pet safe.
Top food offenders for pets (these can cause serious problems, including death):
- Avocado
- Dairy-based products, including milk
- Mushrooms
- Coconut water
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Currants
- Dates
- Garlic
- Raw eggs
- Macadamia nuts
- Chives
- Nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.
- Citrus peel
- Alcohol
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Onion
- Bones
- Cherries
- Coffee
- Salty foods
- Tomatoes
- Caffeine products like soda
- Energy drinks
- Salt
- Chocolate
- Yeast dough
- Xylitol – a sweetener that is used in many foods including baked goods, candy, gum, and peanut butter
While it may be tempting – and completely natural – to want to share your special holiday foods with your pet, it may not be wise and can even harm them. If you are looking for Thanksgiving food cats can eat or holiday foods that are dog-friendly, consider a small treat from the safe list as opposed to a full meal.
The Risks of Holiday Leftovers for Pets
There are several reasons why it isn’t a good idea to give your pet holiday leftovers or portions of your holiday meal. First, changing your pet’s food can lead to gastric distress. While an occasional small treat may be fine (as long as it’s on the safe list), a full meal can cause problems that could send you to the ER vet.
The ingredients in many holiday foods that you enjoy with no problem could be catastrophic for your dog or cat. For instance, raisins, grapes, currants, or grape products like jam can cause kidney failure in your pet. Dates can cause diarrhea due to their high fiber and sugar content. The theobromine in chocolate may cause diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and heart arrhythmia in pets. Dark chocolate is even worse for your pet and quite dangerous.
The sugar-free natural sweetener, xylitol, can cause huge insulin spikes, causing the blood sugar to drop to extremely dangerous levels. This can lead to liver failure. Garlic and onion in small amounts can cause stomach irritation, but in larger amounts, they can be toxic. Any amount of alcohol can be deadly for your pet. Rich foods with a high-fat content can cause digestion difficulty and problems with the pancreas.
Bones should not be given to dogs. It doesn’t matter if they are cooked or raw. Dogs can’t grind their food so bones can splinter and those shards can become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestines. This can cause serious problems that could threaten your pet’s life.
It is best to dispose of your leftovers or compost them instead of giving them to your pet. It’s just safer. Be aware though, that the delicious odors emanating from those leftovers can be very enticing! Even the most well-behaved dog or cat may not be able to resist and will dig in your garbage to get to those discarded goodies.
Put your garbage in a closed garbage bag and put the bag in a garbage can with a lid. Keep the garbage can in an area that your pet cannot access. This will discourage scavengers and keep your pets from accessing foods that might hurt them.
Pet-Friendly Ingredients to Consider This Holiday Season
While there is a rather long list of holiday foods that are off-limits for pets, there are some foods that are OK and can even be beneficial. The key is to omit any seasoning, including salt and pepper. This brings us to the question, is salt and pepper good for dogs?
Pepper is not recommended for cats and dogs. Salt is OK, but in moderation. Too much salt can cause health issues and dehydration in pets. Your best course of action is to serve your pets plain, unseasoned food. It is safer and healthier for them.
They will not miss the seasoning at all because of the way their tastebuds are distributed and the amount they have. Humans have between 2,000 and 10.000 tastebuds. Children have even more. This makes seasoning more important to us, However, dogs only have around 1,700 tastebuds and cats have even fewer at about 470. Both are able to identify salty, sweet, bitter, and sour flavors, but it is limited. This makes seasoning far less important to them which is why they won’t miss the salt and other seasonings when you leave them off of their holiday treats.
Interesting fact, dogs have a special set of tastebuds that are specific to water.
Foods that you can serve plain and unseasoned to dogs and cats include:
- Apples (remove the seeds and cut into small pieces)
- Bananas
- Carrots
- Chicken (remove bones, skin, and fatty parts)
- Corn (never give them the cob – it can cause intestinal blockage)
- Cranberries
- Pear
- Cucumbers
- Pineapple
- Green beans (frozen or steamed)
- Mango
- Melon
- Peaches
- Peas
- Pumpkin
- Squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Turkey (remove bones and fat)
Also, while it can be hard to turn down those big puppy dog eyes, never replace your dog’s or cat’s regular food with holiday leftovers. It should be a snack, not a meal.
Veggies That Are Safe for Pets
There are plenty of vegetables that are actually good for your pet – and most dogs and cats love them! They make great treats and snacks.
Vegetables are low-calorie and can be a great source of essential vitamins. Plus, many types, like cucumbers, are great for hydration. They offer an appealing, crunchy snack that is also good for teeth.
Pumpkin, squash, peas, green beans, and carrots can be given raw or steamed with no seasoning. If you have a little salt-free chicken or beef stock, you can boil the vegetables in the stock. This works especially well for green beans and carrots. Many dogs also love the crunch of frozen green beans.
You can mix the vegetables together or hand-feed them.
Fruits That Pets Can Enjoy
There are quite a few fruits that cats and dogs can enjoy. They make terrific, healthy, natural snacks that offer a nice nutritional boost. In fact, you may consider using fruit (and even vegetables) for training and treats all year round.
Cut bananas, apples, and melon into small pieces and share them with your pet. Make sure you remove any seeds and don’t give your pet the apple core. You can add a spoon or so of plain yogurt or peanut butter to the fruit if your pet likes it but do so sparingly.
Berries are a pet favorite, just be aware of the higher sugar content and offer them in smaller amounts.
Meats That Pets Can Enjoy
There are two really big questions that pet owners ask around this time of year.
Is turkey safe for dogs and cats?
Can dogs eat honey-baked ham?
Let’s tackle the turkey question first. The answer depends on how the turkey is prepared. Turkey meat itself, with nothing added, is not harmful to cats or dogs. Many pet foods contain turkey. It offers several essential vitamins and minerals. Plain cooked turkey, meaning it does not have any added salt, seasonings, or fat, is fine to feed your pet. You can even include it in homemade pet food if you wish. However, if the turkey is basted, seasoned, injected, fried, or stuffed, you probably want to avoid giving that to your pet.
One thing you can do though is set aside a small part of your turkey and cook it plain while you are cooking the seasoned, fancied up human portions. That way your pet can have their healthy, plain turkey and you can have your festive portions.
As for honey-baked ham, that’s another story. Ham tends to be extremely high in salt. But there are also a lot of sodium-based preservatives in ham like nitrites which boost the sodium levels even more. This can be toxic for pets. At the very least, it can cause vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, and dehydration. What’s more, there is a lot of controversy in the pet health field regarding the digestibility of ham as a protein. Vets can’t seem to agree, so it’s best to avoid.
Desserts That Pets Can Enjoy
The majority of human desserts are not suitable for dogs and cats. They are too sugary and usually too high in fat. That doesn’t mean your pet has to skip dessert though. Stick with natural foods or use a recipe for a dessert or treat that is specifically formulated for pets.
Holiday Treats Specifically Formulated for Pets
Another option for pet holiday treats is to take a trip to your pet store. There you will find many different holiday-themed snacks and treats. If you want something that is already prepared, this is a great choice. They are made specifically for pets so you don’t have to worry about your pet coming into contact with food items that can harm them.
During this festive season, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. Things can slip under your radar. If you prepare ahead of time though, you can avoid problems with your pet’s food. Create your own treats using a pet-friendly recipe or just go natural.
By making sure that you serve your dog or cat pet appropriate holiday treats, you can help keep them safe and healthy. The last thing you need during this busy time is a trip to the emergency vet.
Safe Food Preparation Areas
Cooking is one of the staples of the holidays. This is also when many pets get hurt. While you are moving about, it doesn’t take much for a dog or cat to get underfoot. This can cause injury to the pet and the person.
Kenneling your pet, putting them in a pen, or securing them in another room in the house will keep them out of the kitchen and out from under your feet. It will also prevent them from eating something off the floor that can hurt them should you drop something accidentally. Also, make sure that you are well versed on the foods that can be harmful for your pet to eat. That way, if they do get into something, you can act quickly and take care of your pet.
When storing foods, use containers that are pet-proof. Spices should always be locked and out of the reach of pets. You should also keep the garbage out of reach of your pet. During meal prep, keep all your ingredients out of reach of your pets – and don’t underestimate them. A food motivated dog can suddenly gain skills akin to a superhero and get into places you would never think they could.
Counter-surfing is a very bad habit that is difficult to break. Once your pet sees your counter as a source of food, they will go there looking for snacks. It is best to prevent the habit from ever forming by not leaving food on the counter – ever.
Keeping them out of the kitchen is a good strategy, but may not always be practical. If you have a counter surfer, try diverting their attention and rewarding them for doing an accepted behavior instead of jumping on the counters. Consistency is key.
Counter-surfing cats can benefit from the same strategies. Give your cat an interactive toy like a puzzle feeder or lick mat to keep them occupied. Again though, you have to stay on top of it and be consistent.
Tips for Holiday Guests and Pet Safety
Holiday parties and holiday feasts are some of the best parts of the festive season. If you have guests over for the holidays, you may want to put your pet in a room or kennel them to keep them from getting to foods that they shouldn’t have. Even if your guests don’t feed your pet, they can drop food unknowingly and your pet can get to it.
If you want your pets to mingle with your guests, put out a few bowls of pet-friendly treats like fruit or vegetables and let guests know that if they want to give treats, that is all your pet can have. Verbally tell your guests, but it is a good idea to label the bowls so guests can clearly see that it’s pet treats.
If you have children, it is safer to put your pets in another part of the house while the children eat. Kids are notorious for dropping food and feeding pets table scraps, and it is just easier and safer to keep the pets out of that area until the children are finished eating and the area is cleaned.
If you have the typical party fare and no actual meal, feed your pet before the party so they aren’t hungry. Leave out bowls of approved snacks and allow guests to offer those treats. If your pet gets too underfoot, it is perfectly fine to put them in another area of the house for the duration of the party.
Emergency Response: What to Do If Your Pet Eats Harmful Foods
Even when you have taken every possible precaution, your pet may still be able to get to food they shouldn’t. It doesn’t make you a bad pet parent. Sometimes things just happen and pets can be pretty crafty when food is involved.
If you notice any of the signs of food poisoning in pets, it is time to take action. Symptoms of pet food poisoning include:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- No appetite or reduced appetite
- Loss of coordination
- Fever
- Seizures
- Collapse
If you notice any of these signs or if you witness your pet consuming dangerous foods that they shouldn’t, it’s time to seek professional help.
If your pet has eaten something that you know is toxic to them, even if they aren’t showing signs of poisoning yet, or if they are exhibiting symptoms of poisoning, don’t waste any time. Call the ASPCA Pet Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or the 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661, There may be a charge, but in the event of pet poisoning, these are the experts who can give the best advice in the shortest amount of time.
And that’s important when seconds count.
If your pet is exhibiting signs of nausea or abdominal pain, or they are vomiting but you did not see them ingest any forbidden foods, you can call your vet or head to the nearest emergency vet. Think of emergency vets as an emergency room for pets. They can handle emergent, critical health events.
It is important that you never try to induce vomiting by giving your pet hydrogen peroxide or any other substance unless you are instructed by pet poison control or your veterinarian.
When to head to the emergency vet
If your pet has a problem, your best course of action is to contact your vet, the emergency vet, or poison control and follow their instructions.
Your pet depends on you to keep them safe. That means being a little extra vigilant during the holidays. Providing the best holiday dog food and cat food and avoiding foods they shouldn’t eat will help keep your pet healthy and happy. And that’s what really matters.
